Rotary Club of Cloverdale stages 10th Asti Tour de Vine

When bicyclists dream, gorgeous vistas open up to them as they pedal country roads, pausing now and again for tasty and energizing treats served by people clearly happy to see them.

It happened for real on Saturday at the 10th Asti Tour de Vine, a fundraising tradition of the Rotary Club of Cloverdale.

More than 600 cyclists turned out for the ride, which the Rotary was forced to cancel last year because of the wildfires.

Participants chose among four variously challenging routes ?of between ?25 kilometers and 100 miles. All began and ended at the historic Asti Winery, between Cloverdale and Geyserville.

Upon completing their ride of choice, the cyclists enjoyed a meal served at the winery by members of the Rotary Club of Cloverdale. Among the feast’s temptations were salad, pulled pork, turkey, pasta and dessert, accompanied by a dream-like assortment of fine beers and wines.

The Asti Tour de Vine was born as a fundraiser for the Rotary project that partnered with the city and the Cloverdale Unified School District to restore the long-neglected Kleiser Park.

Proceeds from the ride go to the maintenance of the park, and also to a host of Rotary community programs and endeavors that benefit youth, seniors, individuals working their way out of homelessness and others in northern Sonoma County.