VOLUNTEER
REGISTER
FUNDRAISING
THE RIDE
WHAT IS BIKE THE BARNS?
Bike the Barns is FairShare CSA Coalition’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the ride benefit our organization and the Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income families afford farm-fresh veggies. When you sign up for Bike the Barns, you help families access food grown right in their community by a CSA farmer.
The event features a full day of farm tours, gourmet local food, craft libations, on-farm activities and live music. Join us as we bike and bus to ensure fresh food for every family!
MORE INFORMATION
Riders will start and end the day in charming Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, WI.
Upon exiting Verona, participants will be treated to changing landscapes as rolling hills lead from forested valleys to exposed ridge lines. Expect a couple of challenging ascents with extremely rewarding payoffs in the form of sweeping views and delicious food and beverages along the way.
Choose from two route options: a short route (~30-40 miles) and a long route (~60 miles).
Bike the Barns is a charity bike ride, and you can put the "fun" in fundraising by registering as a fundraiser rider! Every dollar you raise goes directly to feeding families in our community.
Schedule of the day:
-
8 - 9:30 AM: Day-of registration and breakfast, Badger Prairie County Park
-
9 AM: Long route riders depart
-
10 AM: Short route riders depart
-
The ride: 2-4 farm stops with food, beverage, music, and farm fun!
-
2:30 - 6PM: After Party at Badger Prairie County Park
REGIstration includes:
-
Food: breakfast, snack stops, lunch, and after party meal + drink tickets
-
Farm tours and interactive on-farm activities
-
Live music at each stop
-
Participant Gift Bag
-
A well-marked and supported scenic bike route
-
And a whole lot of fun!
Have questions?
Call FairShare at (608) 226-0300 or email bikethebarns@csacoalition.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
AMERICAN WINE PROJECT // BAER INSURANCE // CALLIOPE ICE CREAM // GOMACRO // ISTHMUS // QUINCE & APPLE // WORT // WORKING DRAFT BEER COMPANY
THE ROUTE
All Bike the Barns participants will depart from Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, WI this year.
Upon exiting Verona, participants will be treated to changing landscapes as rolling hills lead from forested valleys to exposed ridge lines. Expect a couple of challenging ascents with extremely rewarding payoffs in the form of sweeping views and delicious food and beverages along the way.
Choose from two route options: a short route (~30-40 miles) and a long route (~60 miles).
This year's route will feature farm stops at:
-
Crossroads Community Farm
-
Farley Center
-
Prairie Bluff Farm (long route)
-
Snug Haven 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.
Rider support is available throughout the ride, but riders are expected to 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 and professional bike mechanics.
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 will 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.
Here are just a few of the many talented food and beverage partners you can expect to see during this year's ride:
-
Lunch from Tex Tubb’s, featuring locally grown produce and fresh taco combinations, with Just Coffee and Calliope Ice Cream
-
Returning this year with new menu items are Vibrant Veg, Rude Brew Kombucha, Madame Chu, and Level 5 Donuts
-
We’re excited to welcome Brix Cider, Just Veggiez, and Telsaan Tea this year
-
And many more to come!
2022 SAMPLE MENU
Breakfast Snack
-
Blueberry lemon or chocolate chip scones (Batch Bakehouse)
-
Coffee (Just Coffee)
Vitruvian Farm Snack
-
Bruschetta (Vibrant Veg)
-
Cider (Future Fruit Farm)
Parisi Family Farm Snack
-
Tamales (El Sabor de Puebla)
-
Iced herbal tea (Four Elements)
Sprouting Acres Snack
-
Sea salt or curry garlic potato chips & dip (Slide Gourmet Potato Chips)
-
Ginger pear & blueberry basil kombucha (Rude Brew Kombucha)
Lovefood Lunch
-
Chicken tinga or Zucchini/Squash Tacos, Tex Mex rice, Beet salad with spring mix & chimichurri (Tex Tubb's Taco Palace)
-
Cold brew coffee floats (Just Coffee & Calliope Ice Cream)
After Party Tasting Menu (Riders get food and drink tickets to "spend" on items of their choice!)
-
Caribbean chicken meatballs with salad & pickled veggies or Vegan Love Coconut stew with rice (Mango Man)
-
Veggie-stuffed tofu or Curry chicken with sticky rice (Madame Chu)
-
Local Cheese & Meat Board or Vegetarian Board with Fruit & Nuts (Madison Cheese Boards)
-
Zucchini Cake with Apple Compote or Glazed Bacon with Cabbage & Beet Slaw, Corn Scallion Bread (Ugly Apple)
-
Maple Spice Cookie Sandwiches or Cookies & Cream Cupcakes (Black Squirrel Bake Shop)
-
Mini-donuts or Mini-cinnamon rolls (Level 5 Donuts)
-
Wine (provided by American Wine Project)
-
Beer (Working Draft Beer Company)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
FUNDRAISING
.png)
Bike the Barns is FairShare’s largest fundraiser. The money raised through Bike the Barns supports The Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income families 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.
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 families 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!
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
-
Entered to win a Schwinn Marshall electric bike when you raise $100 or more
-
The chance to earn sweet prizes and gear with our fundraising challenges
-
Support from us to help you reach your goal!
THE CAUSE
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.
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.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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!
CHECK OUT OUR FUNDRAISING TOOLKIT For More information & resources
FUNDRAISING PRIZES
Fundraising levels are cumulative based on the amount you raise. Prizes will be awarded in September, but keep an eye out for extra fundraising prize challenges throughout the summer for even more chances to win awesome prizes!
Fundraiser riders who register for Bike the Barns agree to raise at least $75. All fundraising prizes listed below are awarded based on the total amount raised by August 31, 2023.
$100+
CHARGE IT UP
Thanks to our Premier Sponsor Schwinn, one lucky fundraiser rider will be randomly selected to win a Marshall electric bike! You went beyond the minimum, now enjoy it to the max.
$250
KEEP ON PEDALING
For those who can’t get enough BTB, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy your 2024 Bike the Barns fundraiser rider registration on us, and keep pedaling to feed families in your community.
$500
LOCAVORES' DELIGHT
Locavores delight in this bounty of expertly crafted goods highlighting the best of our regional artisans! From salty to sweet, there's something for everyone in these Local Food Packs.
$1,000
RIDER'S CHOICE
You've raised some serious funds to connect familes to fresh food. Now let us thank you by presenting you with a choice between some seriously awesome prizes!
Options include: Pasture & Plenty Meal Kit, a stay at Circle M Farm, Stateline Distillery Private Tour & Tasting, Schwinn Daytripper Cargo Trailer & Commuter Pannier Set.
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!
SIGN UP TO GET NOTIFIED
GET INVOLVED
BE PART OF THE FUN
FairShare CSA Coalition is a small team – we couldn’t pull off this grand event without our amazing community of volunteers and supporters!
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
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!
Stay tuned for volunteer sign-up opportunities in spring of 2023!
VOLUNTEER WITH A GROUP
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.
We will contact you with details on signing up for specific day-of-event tasks closer to the day of the ride.
