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In French Revolutions, British comic author Tim Moore lays out the case why drug use will never cease to be a part of cycling: simply put, it’s been there from the beginning. To Moore, the history of the Tour de France is the history of drug use in cycling. And early on, that drug use had very little to do with performance gains and had a lot to do with pain endurance. Riders would stop for lunch (with each other), drink copious amounts of wine, and then remount their trusty steeds for the remainder of the day’s pain.

Elizabeth Page, ride coordinator for the Gears & Cheers Bike Ride, wrote to me to let readers of this website know about a local cycling event that recognizes the civilized place wine has in cycling’s traditions. “This is the second year Grove Winery is hosting the ride which benefits the National MS Society,” says Page.

mmm… bikes and wine. Wine and bikes.

Wine tasting comes after the rides, however.

Grove Winery proudly presents

2008 GEARS & CHEERS BIKE RIDE
The only ride where wining is allowed!

Saturday, May 31st

Fully supported 25 and 40-mi routes
Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation featured on the 40-mi route

$35 registration includes ride support, lunch, event glass,
complimentary beverage, music by Expresso Brazil ($40 after 5/21)

$15 Non-rider package includes lunch, event glass,
complimentary beverage and music

New this year – Pre-ride Party and Registration Pick-up
Friday May 30th – 2 locations
-Trek Bicycle in Raleigh
-cycles de ORO in Greensboro

Cycling, picnicking, live music, wine-tasting, vineyard tours, and more!
Fun for everyone!

Grove Winery is located north of I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and Durham on the Haw River Wine Trail near Elon. Ride benefits the National MS Society

Elizabeth Page | Ride Coordinator | 919-787-7706 | lizdan@nc.rr.com

There will also be some local artists at the winery this year during the Gears & Cheers ride, so May 31 sounds like a real cultural event.

Register here.