Mark Truszkowski, of Game Creek Restaurant, assembles lamb and foie gras sausage sliders during the Fall Wine & Food Classic Grand Tasting during the 2018 event at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Chris Dillmann | Daily file photo

Hikers walk toward a food tent during the Hike Wine & Dine event in Beaver Creek. The annual event offers delicious food and drink along the trail and at the base of the Centennial Lift and is a benefit for the Shaw Cancer Center and Jacks Place, a cancer-caring house in Edwards. Special to the Daily

Sonnenalp proprietor Johannes Faessler, Wendi Kushner and Marc Prisant take part in a past Casual Classic bike ride from Breckenridge to Vail. The event raises funds for the Sonnenalp of Vail Foundation. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily

Local chef Kelly Liken serves as the food systems director for The Community Market and has been focused on creating a space where anyone needing fresh produce, dairy, bread and healthy recipes feels welcome.Special to the Daily

The change in seasons can also mean a change in your workout routine. Alexander Mils | Special to the Daily

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The Taste of Vail, which is along-standing springtime fete, has added the Fall Wine & Food Classic toits schedule to take advantage of not only the bountiful harvest but also thebeauty that surrounds Vail this time of year.

The Fall Wine & Food Classic blendsthe best of both worlds with great activities like fly-fishing, hiking, yoga andsalsa dancing along with venues that provide the perfect backdrop to enjoyfabulous food and great wine.

After some of the morning excursions,head to brunch at Matsuhisa, Vintage or Remedy at the Four Seasons Vail. Lunchis also an option at Sweet Basil where they will be pairing cheddar cheese withwine.

On Saturday evening, Vail Valley restaurants come together with Southern Hemisphere wines at the Grand Tasting event at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Guests will enjoy a picnic-style event with south of the equator music while taking in the gorgeous Vail scenery. The Grand Tasting features more than 50 wineries and 13 restaurants. For more information, tickets and a full schedule go to http://www.tasteofvail.com.

The 11th annual Hike, Wine & Dine fundraiser returns toBeaver Creek this Sunday. Get there early to enjoy a light breakfast consistingof breakfast burritos, coffee, orange juice and mimosas. Registrationbegins at 9:30 a.m. at the base of Beaver Creeks Centennial Lift. This is amoderate five-mile hike and kids and teens are allowed and there are tickets pricedspecifically for that age group.

Leave the energy bar and trail mix at home, along the way there will be several places to stop and enjoy small gourmet bites from the following restaurants:

Hikers will travel through a special section of aspen treeswhere around 40 yellow ribbons adorn the trees in honor of those affected bycancer. Plan to spend a little time there and reflect. Its just magical to seethe forest transformed into a subtle memorial.

This annual autumn excursion benefits the Shaw Cancer Center and Jacks Place, a 12-room cancer caring house for patients of Shaw Cancer Center and their caregivers. Funds go toward the operating costs to allow patients and their caregivers to stay for free during treatment at Shaw.It also supports programs like yoga, nutrition and wellness classes, massages and more. Visit http://www.hikewinedine.com to purchase tickets or make a donation.

If the name is any indication, the Casual Classic bike rideisnt a race, but more of a way to enjoy the views from the bike path fromBreckenridge to Vail. Yes, you heard right, from Breckenridge to Vail, meaningits a 38-mile trip and the last 16 miles are downhill (almost).

The Casual Classic has been a fall tradition for 34 years and benefits the Sonnenalp of Vail Foundation. The Foundation creates family-friendly charitable endeavors and proceeds are directed toward medical, educational and human services. The Casual Classic has donated over $150,000 to ECO Trails, Eagle Countys bike path system, which requires annual improvement, upkeep and maintenance.

On Saturday, riders will take part in a casual ride beginning in Breckenridge and will follow the recreational path to Frisco. Next, they enjoy a gradual climb along Tenmile Creek to Copper Mountain followed by a more challenging climb to the summit of Vail Pass. Finally, riders coast predominantly downhill to the Bully Ranch at theSonnenalp Hotel Vailfor the after-party.

The fee is $145 for adults and $45 forchildren under 15 years of age. The price includes breakfast, transportation,snacks, gift bags, door prizes, Bully Ranch buffet, dessert, drinks and liveentertainment.

If youre feeling the need to ride more, take on the 76-miles from the Sonnenalp to Breckenridge and back again to really earn that fabulous buffet. All details for start times and shuttles, including a shuttle back to Breckenridge in case you are starting from that point and need a ride east are provided at http://www.sonnenalpfoundation.com/casual-classic.

Youre invited to have some great food and fun whilelearning about The Community Market, a program of the Eagle Valley CommunityFoundation. The launch party is set for Saturday at The Community Market warehousein Gypsum from 5 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 per person.

This event not only aims to spread awareness about food solutions in Eagle County, but it also wants to welcome Kelly Liken to the team.

Kelly Liken was the chef and owner of the famed RestaurantKelly Liken in Vail for many years. She also appeared as a contestant on suchshows as Top Chef and Iron Chef America. Beyond her vast cooking skills, Likenis striving to find food solutions in Eagle County.

According to Feeding America, 8,700 EagleCounty residents struggle to put food on the table. The Community Market isreaching more than 800 people every week. In June, the Community Foundation andThe Community Market paid off the lunchroom debt across the Eagle County SchoolDistrict for a second school year. This year, the debt was almost double lastyears tab.

The Community Market over the past year hasbeen recovering more than 25,000 pounds of food each month from localgroceries, as well as sourcing produce from local farmers. This assureshealthy, wholesome foods to families in need while reducing food waste, andlowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Enjoy food provided by Anthony Mazza of Chef on the Fly and Village Bagel. Complimentary beer, wine and a special Kelly Liken cocktail for purchase will round out the drinks. The Evolution and the Altitones will provide live music. They will be selling chances to win a private dinner hosted by Liken and The Community Market team. To learn more go to http://www.eaglevalleycf.org or RSVP by calling 970-977-1093.

CrosstrainingFitness of Vail provides a free class for the community on Saturday morningswhere anybody can attend.If you want to commit more time, explore thefacility for free. Starting on Monday and going through Saturday, CrosstrainingFitness of Vail is hosting a free week of classes as a Locals AppreciationEvent. Anyone who signs up after giving it a try will get 50% off thefirst months membership.

If you wantto take your yoga to the next level, Vails first 300-hour Yoga AllianceRegistered Yoga School begins this weekend. Led by Amy Baker, Keri Bergeron andR.R Shakti, this 300-hour advanced yogaeducation workshop seriesguides you to a uniquely rich and powerful dimension of yoga experiencetoamplify the practice fordedicated yogis.

The Living in Alignment 300-hour Advanced Yoga Education programis comprised of a series of weekends and workshops designed for maximum accessibility in Vail.Hosted by Inner Power Yoga and the Lodge at Vail, this flexible program providesa comprehensive certification course foryoga teachers and an empowerment education program foryoga scholars. Enroll now at http://www.livinginalignment.yoga or call 970-331-4493.

Ifyou just like to wear yoga pants, dont miss the 7th annual Yoga Pants Partyhosted by Yoga Off Broadway and Bonfire Brewing in Eagle on Saturday from 6p.m. to midnight. Bring out the stretchy pants and drink beer while enjoyinglive music with the Runaway Grooms from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by DJ One from 9 p.m.until close.

Thereare prizes for the best-dressed men and women in yoga pants. If you dont havea pair of yoga pants, buy a pair and get a beer for just $10. For moreinformation, visit Bonfire Brewing or Yoga Off Broadways Facebook page.

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Wine, gourmet food and a bike event in Vail | Tricia's Top Weekend Picks - Vail Daily News