Loose Leaf Notes

-The following story was published in the November 7, 2019 issue of The Floyd Press.

There is no finish line and it isn’t a race. Tour de Dirt is a dirt road bicycle tour that starts and finishes at Chantilly Farm and takes cyclists through some of the most picturesque back roads of Floyd County. Founded by Paul Sullivan thirteen years ago, Tour de Dirt began as a Moonstomper mountain bike club event that drew 20 – 30 cyclists.  In 2015, it began being hosted at Chantilly Farm and open to the public. It has grown from 60 – 100 riders in the first few years at Chantilly to 150 riders on Saturday (November 2, 2019).

Starting at 8:30 a.m., bicyclists chose from four routes: The Full Pull, an 80-mile ride; The Fiddy, a 55-mile ride; TdD Lite, a 39-mile ride and a Funn Ride for 18 miles.  “I signed up for the Full Pull but bailed,” said Houston Skipper from Roanoke. “The fifty-five-mile ride sounded like much more fun.” Skipper reported that it was 27 degrees in the morning when the tour started. The temperature had risen considerably when he finished the tour just after 1:30, and he remarked at how perfect the weather was for the ride.

The tour draws cyclists from the region and far beyond. Floyd Countian Joe Klein, who also biked the “Fiddy,” said he met riders from North Carolina, Atlanta and Michigan and rode part of the route with a woman from Charlottesville. “Everyone was impressed by the quiet and beauty of the county,” Klein said. He commented on how appreciative all the riders were for the food (donated by the community) and support supplied at Aid Stations.

This is the first year that the Tour de Dirt event has partnered with a local non-profit organization for a fundraiser. Dubbed as “Power Up Plenty!” – proceeds from bicycle tour registration fees will go directly to Plenty! Farm and Food Bank. Saturday’s cyclists enjoyed a home-cooked meal prepared by Plenty! volunteers and served in a take-home dish made by Virginia Tech ceramics students.

The meal – chili, coleslaw, cornbread and desserts – and take-home pots were also available to the public for the price of $12, which will also go to benefit the neighborhood food sharing group. A Plenty! after party included live music and craft beer, both of which were available throughout the day.

“Plenty! feeds 1,500 to 2,000 people a month,” said Plenty! volunteer Tom Schaefer. Schaefer booked and introduced the musicians at the event and made the beef chili.  Volunteer Chris Youngblood cooked the vegetarian chili and was also one of the performing musicians.

Every year Tour de Dirt gives a Vision Quest award for the most epic ride. This year’s award went to Chris Blakenship, a Moonstomper member and guitarist for The Floorboards, who rode from Roanoke to Chantilly Farm and then finished the Full Pull in record time (125 miles total). Sullivan said the Vision Quest isn’t about speed or records, but about a memorable ride. In years past some recipients of the award have gotten lost on the ride but prevailed.

Sullivan reported in the late-afternoon that the event had raised upwards of $7,300. He received an award presented by Plenty! executive director Kerry Ackerson for his Tour de Dirt leadership. It read “It may not be a race, but you win first place.” – Colleen Redman

PHOTOS 1. Bicyclist Sam Sasser drove from Virginia Beach, where he is on temporary duty with the Marines, to participate in the Tour.  2. Houston Skipper from Roanoke completed the 55-mile tour. 3. A view of the Plenty! Chili Feast from the balcony at the Chantilly Farm Event Center. 4. Plenty! executive director Kerry Ackerson (left), board member Pamela Pinto and her daughter Stella manned the Plenty! booth. Assistant Director of Plenty! 5. Rachel Theo-Maurelli assists attendees picking out take-home dishes. 6. A table of bicyclists from Floyd and Roanoke and a SAG (support and gear) driver enjoy some post-ride refreshments.  7. Musicians Lester Weddle, Chris Youngblood and Michael Kovick were one of the day’s performing acts. 8. Attendees applauded a live music performance. 9. Rider shows off a Tour de Dirt shirt. 10. A rider at the end of his tour peddles into Chantilly Farm.