Farm to Table: Pioneer Valley Paradise
Spinning and tasting along the Gentle Landscapes, Farms and Historic Towns of the Pioneer Valley
Download a Detailed Itinerary
Our comprehensive itineraries are a one-stop-shop for all the delightful details of our carefully crafted tours, including:
- A thorough daily itinerary
- Details for exact accommodations
- What to expect
- Travel planning tips
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The Connecticut River Valley is what’s left of North America’s sixth great lake, the 200 mile long glacial Lake Hitchcock. With Northampton at the valley center, this terrain is flat to rolling farmland, with forested hills as you climb out of the valley. Northampton is a destination city, with many options for food, museums, shops, and breweries located within easy reach of the rail trail. Active farms and thousands of acres of conservation land within the city limits give the area balance as a natural landscape with cultural amenities. With paved riding surfaces that are ideal for road bikes, the Pioneer Valley boasts a long history of cycling and bicycle culture combined with a passionate pursuit of equality for all peoples. This area was home to equality pioneers, such as Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass as well as several experimental utopian communities.
Tour Essence
- Ride on 700’ and 1600’ rail trail bridges across the Connecticut River
- Enjoy tastings of locally produced cheeses, pasture-raised meats, artisanal bread, handmade pastries, local wines, heirloom ciders, or craft beers
- Safely exit and enter the city for the daily rides on the Northampton Rail Trail System, connecting nine towns with 27 miles of car-free paved rail trail
- After your daily Ciclismo ride, guests can rent an e-bike for a three mile round-trip to see the river at sunset from the Norwottuck Bridge
- Northampton is the hometown of Calvin Coolidge: Governor, Vice President, and 30th US President
- Discover a thriving local food, culture and arts community in downtown Northampton.
- Savory Foodie Treasures included on this Exclusive Tour:
- Northampton Foodie Walking Tour and tastings to local specialty shops with passionate Foodie and owner of Pioneer Valley Food Tours Deborah Cristakos
- Visit with Jonathan Stevens at Hungry Ghost Bread in Northampton who sources much of his grain locally and also has its ground at a local mill.
- A beautiful stop and wine tasting at Glendale Ridge Vineyard, where guests taste a selection of locally made wines along with a picnic while gazing at the Mount Tom Range.
- A visit to the Thomas Farm and Dairy where Laurie and Jim have a herd of 80+ much-loved goats (each called by name) to make their delicious goat cheese, as well as several cows to make their cheddar cheese and gouda.
- A stop at Carr’s Ciderhouse to sample a selection of hard cider, fruit syrups, shrubs, elixirs and specialty products from their Preservation Orchard.
- Read more about Why the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts is the Perfect Foodie Destination
What to Expect
Terrain
RollingStart Location
Northampton, MAEnd Location
Northampton, MAMileage
Average Daily: 32.5 / 39.9 Total: 130 / 147.8Elevation
Average Daily: 1,293 / 1,455


2023
Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.
- Three Ciclismo Feast days filled with local food and drink options
- Walking foodie tour with tastings
- Visits to 1 vineyard, 1 cider house, and 1 brewery
- Ciclismo Guides
- Van Support
- Snacks
- Ciclismo Classico Jersey
Bring your own! Bikes are not included for this specific trip.
Call us if you need a rental bike!
- 1 Lunch, 2 dinners
- All Accommodations (3 nights) at Hotel Northampton
- Ride on 700’ and 1600’ rail-trail bridges across the Connecticut River
- Ride by land farmed continuously since 1660.
- Northampton Foodie Walking Tour with tastings at local specialty shops, all proud to source their ingredients regionally
- Curated tastings of local specialties and visits to local farms
- Enjoy the college town vibe of Northampton
Start Location
Northampton, MAFly Into
Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks / Hartford CT (BDL)End Location
Northampton, MAFly Out Of
Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks / Hartford CT (BDL)Vineyard Loop by the Mt Tom Range
Meals Provided
DinnerAverage Mileage
24.6 milesElevation Gain
933 feetRiding Terrain
Gentle RollingMeals Provided
DinnerAccommodations
The Hotel Northampton
The Hotel Northampton, built in 1927, is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. With 106 newly renovated guest rooms and luxury suites, Hotel Northampton offers every guest a gracious hospitality, a quality service and an experience. We are conveniently located in the center city of Northampton, where all points of attraction are within walking distance. Experience the many great attractions like the Calvin Theater and Academy of Music for some their popular concerts and events.
Connecticut River Loop
Average Mileage
27 / 44.9 milesElevation Gain
444 / 1095 feetRiding Terrain
Gentle RollingAccommodations
The Hotel Northampton
The Hotel Northampton, built in 1927, is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. With 106 newly renovated guest rooms and luxury suites, Hotel Northampton offers every guest a gracious hospitality, a quality service and an experience. We are conveniently located in the center city of Northampton, where all points of attraction are within walking distance. Experience the many great attractions like the Calvin Theater and Academy of Music for some their popular concerts and events.
Chapel Falls and the hilltowns Ashfield and Conway
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45.1 milesElevation Gain
2,577 feetRiding Terrain
Gentle RollingMeals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
The Hotel Northampton
The Hotel Northampton, built in 1927, is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America. With 106 newly renovated guest rooms and luxury suites, Hotel Northampton offers every guest a gracious hospitality, a quality service and an experience. We are conveniently located in the center city of Northampton, where all points of attraction are within walking distance. Experience the many great attractions like the Calvin Theater and Academy of Music for some their popular concerts and events.