The  Harpoon Point to Point presented by National Life Group is giving bikers the option to go off road. Thanks to a partnership with STAB – Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin, riders can participate in the Harpoon Point to Point’s 20 mile mountain bike ride.

The Harpoon Point to Point presented by National Life Group is a charity cycling event that raises funds for the Vermont Foodbank and awareness about the growing problem of hunger in Vermont. The Harpoon Brewery, the Point Radio Network, National Life Group and the Vermont Foodbank work for months planning the ride, which now consists of four distances (three road ride distances and a new mountain bike option) and is fully supported by volunteers, medical personnel and the organizations’ staff.

“We are thrilled to add mountain biking to the mix,” said Jessie Cox, Director of Harpoon Helps and Sponsorships and chair of the Harpoon Point to Point planning committee. “Mountain biking is growing across the county but especially in Vermont. We are fortunate to have STAB’s partnership and access to an incredible network of mountain bike trails—adding a mountain bike course to the Harpoon Point to Point was a no brainer.”

The 20-mile mountain bike course will cover some of the best trails within the STAB network. “We are eager to show people around the STAB trails,” said Michael Bell, STAB president and avid mountain biker. “We’ve worked hard to create a course that is beautiful, challenging, and filled with trails that a new visitor to our trails might not ride otherwise. We’ve created a course we’re really excited about!”

The Harpoon Point to Point Presented by National Life Group is the largest fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank. To date, the event has raised more than a $1 million. “This event has grown over the years and is now the Foodbank’s largest fundraiser,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “And we see that addition of the mountain bike option as yet another way to include more riders and raise more money towards our mission of ensuring no one in Vermont goes hungry.”

This year’s ride takes place on August 13^th, 2016. All rides end at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, Vermont. For more details about this great summer event and to register, visit: www.harpoonpointtopoint.com.