Enjoy the fall foliage with a free 16.5-mile recreational bike tour that begins and ends at at the Mack Molding parking lot on Route 346, with an optional extension for those interested in a 23-mile version of the ride. The ride climbs from Pownal to Pownal Center and descends to North Pownal, then ventures along the Hoosic River into New York before returning on Indian Massacre Road (including one mile of hard-pack gravel). Bring snacks and water. Meet at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start. Leaders: HooRWA board member Lauren Stevens and Pownal resident Julie Mackaman, but please contact S.McMahon@hoorwa.org or 413-458-2742 by October 6 to preregister.

Get to know our river! The ride is organized by the Hoosic River Water Association (HooRWA), a nonprofit organization serving the three states through which the Hoosic River flows (Massachusetts, Vermont, New York) through education, research, advocacy and recreational activities to involve the community in the life of the river — and the river in the life of the community. Although the ride is a HooRWA members' activity, it is free and open to the bicycling public.