Bike Guide to Picnicking

October usually brings, fall weather, and the slow shortening of the day. The pleasant weather begins to draw us into our beautiful Montevallo scenery, and a great way to celebrate the outdoors is with a picnic. Cycling and picnicking go hand in hand – why not break out your ride, air up those tires, and consider these tips to enjoy your very own picnic à vélo:

• Weather – late summer and early fall are my favorite times to picnic.
• Route/Destination – we’ve listed “Montevallo’s TOTALLY Bikeable Places” in the July 2017 Chatter Archives that would make excellent picnic locations.
• Tools – we suggest Swiss Army knife, lightweight cutting board, cloth napkins, blanket, and something to eat out of if you choose.
• Packing – backpacks work great (even in multiples), place heavier items on bottom, and your blanket on top. Don’t over pack; your goal is to not bring home leftovers, only your trash.
• Drinks – you may decide to bring along something fun to drink. Think aluminum or plastic– skipping glass bottles prevents you from lugging around the 40% of undrinkable weight. Just remember to drink plenty of water.
• Food – Variety, versatility, and sturdy all come to mind when considering picnic foods. Bring an assortment of foods, not just sandwiches. Your menu is a collection of many small plates.
  • PB&J, hard cheeses/cured meats (parmesan & prosciutto)
  • Crackers/bread/cheese/sliced vegetables/dip/tapenade
  • Bread/cheese/apple
  • Baguette/pesto/cream cheese/salami
  • Cucumber/cream-cheese sandwiches/watermelon
  • cheese & bread, avocado & basil
  • Fruit/veg/crackers/hummus
  • Crackers/firm cheese (Swiss, cheddar, muenster)
  • Baguette & soft cheeses (brie, goat, bocconcini )
• Dessert – it could be considered unforgivable of we forgot something sweet.
  • Chocolate Bar/Cookies/brownies
  • Savory almonds & a bar of chocolate
  • Fruit (apples/pears/grapes/sliced watermelon)
  • Nutella & pear

ValloCycle is committed to creating and supporting a biking community in Montevallo. Join us on our next Glow Ride – an evening ride through Montevallo. Next ride is October 11th - meet 6:30 pm in front of UMOM, ride 7pm. ValloCycle is Alabama’s oldest citywide bike share. For more information visit vallocycle.com or contact vallocycle@gmail.com