The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a leading proponent of healthy eating and sustainable agriculture, operates an 80-acre farm 25 miles north of Manhattan.

We'll visit the center mid-way through a moderate-pace ride from Brewster to Van Cortland Park via the North County Trail, South County Trail, and Putnam Trail. The trails offer paved, mostly traffic-free route through woods, over bridges, and past backyards. Be ready for long slow and short steep climbs, lots of leaf littler, and a very challenging few miles up to and down from the farm. At the farm you can tour the grounds, visit the animals, see an art installation, and simply enjoy the beautiful autumn day.

Please dress for the weather and do your bike check before leaving home. Required: 2 tubes and any keys/wrenches you need for your wheels, 2 water bottles, a lock, an MTA bike permit, $13.25 for metro north and either a packed lunch or lunch money. Note that lunch is NOT available at the farm; we will make a stop at a cafe in the morning but eat while at the farm.

Purchase a one-way off-peak ticket to Brewster Station and join the group at Grand Central Station for the 7:47 a.m. train or at Harlem-125 St. to catch it at 7:57 a.m. We'll assemble in Brewster in the parking lot to the left of the station exit.