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Volunteers support bike riders during Bike the Barns

volunteer

Bikers riding down a country road

register

Bikers passing a field of flowers

fundraising

Bikers riding together

the ride

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*save the date*

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 SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 

the ride

fundraise

volunteer

what is bike the barnS?

Every year on the third Sunday in September, our community comes together for Bike the Barns. Bike the Barns is a full-day cycling adventure that embodies the mission of FairShare. Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, you'll travel scenic country roads throughout the ride and stop at local farms to enjoy farm tours, gourmet local food, craft libations, and live music.  

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But Bike the Barns is about more than just the ride - it's about supporting local farmers and making fresh food accessible to all. Bike the Barns is FairShare's largest fundraiser, supporting our work and the Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income households afford farm-fresh veggies.

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This year, we invite you to ride not just for yourself, but for your community! Register as a fundraiser rider and rally your friends and family to support fresh food access for all. Every dollar raised through fundraising helps connect your neighbors to fresh, locally grown produce. Or sign up with general registration.​

 

Join us as we bike to ensure fresh food for everyone - Save the date for Sunday, September 21, 2025! 

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SIGN UP TO GET NOTIFIED when registration opens june 1.​​

*more information*

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This year's ride will begin and end at Lake Farm Park in Madison, WI. 

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Participants will explore the countryside on their way to Vitruvian Farms, Anu Sky Parisi Family Farm, and (for the adventurous long route riders) Lovefood Farms. Riders will be able to choose from two route options: a short route (~36 miles) and a long route (~55 miles).

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Bike the Barns is a charity bike ride, and we put the "fun" in fundraising! Every dollar raised goes directly to feeding members of our community.

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*fast facts from 2024's ride*

  • 4 farms visited: Tipi Produce, Winterfell Acres, Still Point Flower Farm, & Yowela Farms

  • 850 bike riders & 40 bus riders registered

  • Over $48,000 raised in support of the Partner Shares Program & fresh food for everyone

  • 17 farms donated produce to be incorporated into food on the day - almost 1,400 pounds

  • 110+ volunteers provided support throughout the day

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*registration includes*

  • Food & beverage: light breakfast, snack stops, lunch, after party meal

      + drink tickets​​

  • Farm tours and interactive on-farm activities

  • Live music at each stop

  • Participant Gift Bag & special rider item

  • A well-marked and fully supported scenic bike route

  • And a whole lot of fun! 

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Have questions?

Call FairShare at (608) 226-0300 or email bikethebarns@csacoalition.org.​​

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*thank you to our event sponsors*

Event sponsors

the ride

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Bike the Barns is a ride, not a race - riders of all abilitie are invited to join the fun! Sign up with general registration, or go the extra mile and register as a fundraiser rider to help members of our community access fresh, locally grown food.

 

All Bike the Barns participants will depart from Lake Farm Park in Madison, WI.

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Riders can chose from two route options:

Short route (3 farm stops)

Long route (4 farm stops)​​

 

We are hard at work getting this year's route details set up! Check back here for more information on exact mileage, elevation gain, and final route maps later this summer. 

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*the 2025 route will feature farm stops at:*​

Vitruvian Farms

Anu Sky Farm

Parisi Family Farm

Lovefood Farm (long route)​​​​​

*route conditions & rider support*

Each route is meticulously marked by FairShare staff & volunteers. Every turn is marked with both  directional yard signs and color-coded route arrows on the pavement, and there are caution signs to warn riders of particular conditions, such as steep hills, sharp corners or loose gravel.

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Rider support is available throughout the ride, but riders should be prepared to service their own bikes. Please bring extra tubes. On-bike support riders are embedded in the ride and routes are patrolled by support vehicles with amateur (HAM) radio operators. Professional bike mechanics are on site at each farm to provide mechanical support.

Bike the Barns directional sign
Bike mechanics tuning up a bike before the ride

the food

The Bike the Barns menu is seasonal, local, and fresh, and the food is sourced largely from FairShare’s organic farms. Madison-area restaurants and caterers prepare the meals and provide locally produced craft beverages. Bike the Barns offers vegetarian options, but, while we will try, we cannot guarantee gluten-free, vegan, or non-dairy options across all farm stops. ​

 

Each year is a new and exciting menu from local chefs, featuring items from area farms! This is a sample menu from last year's ride - we will update once menu items are confirmed for 2025. 

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*2024 sample menu*

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Breakfast Snack

  • French Toast, Everything, Plain Bagels (Barrett's Bagels), cream cheese - vegan

  • Gluten-free mini coffee cake bars (Bloom Bakeshop) - vegan, gluten-free

  • Assorted fruit (Whole Foods)

  • Coffee (Just Coffee), dairy (Organic Valley)

  • Apple Cider (Eplegaarden), Orange Juice

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Tipi Produce Farm Snack

  • Mini-Biscuit Sandwiches (Seven Acre Dairy) - vegetarian available

  • Hibiscus orange or Ginger pear Kombucha (Rude Brew Kombucha)​

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Water stop snack

  • Watermelon (Tipi Produce)

  • GoMacro protein bars - vegan, gluten-free

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Winterfell Acres lunch 

  • Chicken or tofu Bánh mìen sandwich, cucumber salad (Little Palace) - vegan, gluten-free available​

  • Cold brew coffee floats (Just Coffee & Frozen Local Ice Cream)

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Still Point Flower Farm snack

  • Rainbow Crunch Salad with Fresh Herbs and Edible Flowers (Vibrant Veg) - vegan, gluten-free

  • Iced Hibiscus Lemonade, Spiced Apple hot black tea, or Vanilla Chai rooibos hot tea (Telsaan Tea)

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Yowela Farms snack

  • Indigenous corn salsa (Dan Cornelius) - vegan, gluten-free

  • Cucumber-Melon Mint Cooler & Elderberry, Apple, Sage & Honey Spritzer (Edible Madison) ​

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After Party Tasting Menu (Riders get food - 2 savory, 1 sweet - and drink tickets to "spend" on items of their choice!)

  • Ground Beef or Zucchini & Squash Tacos (Tex Tubb's Taco Palace) - vegan available

  • Sausage w/ Cheesy Grits; Three Sisters Medley w/ Grits (TradeRoots Kitchen) - gluten-free, vegan available

  • Charcuterbobs; Caprese Skewers (Tricky Foods) - gluten free & vegetarian available

  • Chicken Biryani; Veggie Samosas (Afghan Kabul Cuisine) 

  • Sweet Corn Panna Cotta with Blackberries & Caramel Corn; Autumn Apple Crisp (The Baked Lab)

  • Cookie Sandwiches (Heirloom Bakery) - vegan, gluten-free option

  • Wine (provided by American Wine Project)

  • Beer (Working Draft Beer Company)

  • WiscoPop & Sprecher soda

 

Please be sure to make accommodations for your own caloric needs! Since this is a long ride, we encourage you to bring extra calories (energy bars, etc.) to eat in between stops if you feel you will need them.

*more information coming soon*​​​

We are busily putting together a great route filled with biking, food, community, music, farms, and more! Check back soon for more detailed event information, and make sure to mark your calendars for June 1st when registration opens!

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SIGN UP TO GET NOTIFIED

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fundraising

Bike the Barns is more than just a fun day on the farms - it's also FairShare’s largest fundraiser! The money raised through Bike the Barns supports the Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income households gain affordable access to farm-fresh veggies.

 

Each year, hundreds of bikers, bus riders, volunteers, and farmers come together during this special day to eat, drink, and pedal together in the name of fresh food access.

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*the cause*

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Fresh, high quality produce has become more difficult to access as households with limited budgets feel the strain of rising costs. The Partner Shares Program makes farm-fresh food accessible and affordable. 

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*the goal*

 

Fundraising through Bike the Barns is the Partner Shares Program’s largest source of funding. We hope to raise $50,000 this year to provide critical financial support to families struggling to access fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables.

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*how you can help*

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Your fundraising efforts go directly toward ensuring households have a consistent supply of nutritious food through CSA. Set up a fundraising page, or make a donation to a fundraiser rider to help all families access farm-fresh food!

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Check out our fundraiser Toolkit for more information

*what does it mean to be a fundraiser rider*

As a fundraiser rider, you pay $75 up front and pledge to raise at least $75 by the day of the ride. We’ll help you set up your fundraising page and provide you with tools, resources, and templates to get you on your way to helping members of your community eat delicious veggies. 

 

Fundraising begins the day registration opens and riders can continue to raise funds up until the day of the ride. Share your page online, ask folks to write a check, or do a mile pledge. Every dollar makes a difference, and the more you share your fundraising story, the more money you can raise in support of fresh food for every family! 

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*why should I register as a fundraiser rider*

In addition to the feeling of doing good in your community and helping feed your neighbors, fundraiser riders also get: 

  • A commemorative Bike the Barns sticker

  • The chance to earn sweet prizes and gear with our fundraising challenges 

  • Entry to win a Schwinn e-bike for those who raise $100+

  • Support from us to help you reach your goal! 

fundraising prizes

Thanks to our generous sponsors & partners, we are able to offer some awesome prizes in appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our fundraiser riders! Prizes for 2025 will be announced in early summer. ​

get involved

*be part of the fun*

FairShare is a small team – we couldn’t pull off this grand event without our amazing community of volunteers and supporters!

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*perks of volunteering include:*

-Helping ensure food for every family!

-Spending a day outdoors with food + farm enthusiasts

-Receive a custom Bike the Barns swag item and gourmet, farm-fresh food at the event

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*volunteer roles*

Though Bike the Barns is a single day event, there are many ways to volunteer before, during, or after the ride.

Volunteers assist with:

1) Marking the route

2) Stuffing rider bags and helping with pre-registration

3) Farm stop logistics

4) Food & beverage preparation & service

5) Participating on the rider support teams, and more!​​​

Smiling faces at the registration table
Volunteer handing out local beverage at a farm stop
Participants walking through a field on a farm tour

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*volunteer with a group*

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If you or your organization would like to support this spectacular event by volunteering as a group, please complete the volunteer signup form or send questions to beth@csacoalition.org.

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We will contact you with details on signing up for specific day-of-event tasks closer to the day of the ride.

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