Annual family-friendly event combines paddling, cycling

RICHFORD, Vt. — The Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal will return to Richford on Saturday, July 12.

This annual family-friendly event, hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), the Upper Missisquoi and Trout River Wild & Scenic Committee (UMATR) and the town of Richford, combines a 6.5-mile paddle down a Wild and Scenic section of the Missisquoi River and 5 miles of cycling on the adjacent Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.

“The Paddle-Pedal is a hit with families and others looking for fun, laid-back competition,” said NFCT Trail Director Noah Pollock. “While for some it is a timed race, it’s truly more of a community celebration — everyone goes home with a prize. This is a great way for us to enjoy a beautiful summer in northern Vermont. This year we’re particularly excited to celebrate the NFCT’s 25th anniversary at one of our favorite annual traditions.”

“It’s a privilege to get to showcase this scenic stretch of the Missisquoi River to paddlers and cyclists,” said Lindsey Wight, executive director of UMATR. “There’s so much to explore in our region and along the Missisquoi, and this event is a perfect introduction.”

The Paddle-Pedal course loops between Richford and East Berkshire, where the Wild & Scenic Upper Missisquoi River passes through a stunning pastoral valley, and the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail offers cyclists a low-grade, traffic-free cycling experience with sweeping mountain vistas. Information on bike and boat rentals can be found on the event page.

Those interested in participating in the Paddle-Pedal can register online in advance or on the day of the event. Participant registration and check-in will be held onsite from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at Richford’s Davis Park, followed by the race and an awards ceremony. Lunch is available by pre-purchase during registration. NFCT members get a 15 percent discount with advance online registrations. To register online, and for more even information, visit https://bit.ly/missisquoipaddlepedal.

The Paddle-Pedal committee is seeking volunteers to assist with race logistics, including setup, breakdown, traffic control and more. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Noah Pollock at noah@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

To learn more about the Paddle-Pedal and the NFCT, including sponsorship opportunities, email chris@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

About the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a nonprofit organization that maintains and promotes the 740-mile water trail that runs from Old Forge, NY, to Fort Kent, Maine, and connects New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine. The trail showcases the mix of landscapes and communities currently lining the traditional routes used by Indigenous peoples, settlers, and guides. It is the longest in-land water trail in the nation and consists of 23 rivers and streams, 59 lakes and ponds, 45 communities, and 65 portages. To learn more, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org.

About the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee

In 2014, 46.1 miles of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in northern Vermont were added to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. The UMATR Wild & Scenic Committee is formed of representatives of the 8 communities through which these river miles flow, and regional partners. Supported by the National Park Service, the Committee protects and promotes these wonderful rivers by providing recreational activities and improving river access, supporting community projects that protect water quality and increase enjoyment of our rivers, and highlighting the special nature of these waterways. To learn more, visit umatrvt.org.