Le Tour de Roanoke Unites Foodies and Cyclists
Back in April, we wrote about the new season of le Tour de Roanoke, the City Parks and Rec program that tours Roanoke by bike, stopping at various restaurants for a bite along the way. It’s a very cool way to tour the city, get a little exercise, and enjoy some great food.
The atmosphere at last month’s Tour was great. Meeting at UnderDog Bikes, the group was an eclectic mix of food lovers, bicycling lovers, beginners, and experts. It was very cool to see such a diverse group of people all participating in the same outdoor activity. It was truly a uniting experience, and something the parks and rec department has been emphasizing recently.
“We have been using programs like Hiking and the Homeplace, SUP Yoga, and le Tour de Roanoke as a marketing tool to get people exposed to something new and unique, and then the other programs offered by the Outdoor Section,” explained Parks & Rec Outdoor Education Coordinator Patrick Boas, who started the program last year. “The thought process behind this was, we promote what Roanoke has to offer as ‘the procuct’ and put our programs in the mix.”
Each stop was an opportunity to mingle and get a different perspective on both the outdoor and food scenes in the Roanoke Region. It’s also a great opportunity to explore new restaurants and foods.
“Something that has shocked me the most about this event is that after each tour I will have one or two people come up to me and say in many different ways, ‘I’ve lived here in Roanoke for X amount of years and never knew this restaurant existed. What a great way to explore and see a new side of Roanoke,'” Boas said. “I take this as a huge compliment and hope to continue getting this reaction from my new friends on the tour.”
The tour is held monthly; pre-registration is required and spots fill up fast. The August tour will take place on August 19, and will include stops at 1906 Ale House, Blue 5, and Sweet Donkey Coffee.