volunteer
register
fundraising
the ride
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 on Sunday, September 21, 2025!
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*more information*
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This year's ride will begin and end at beautiful Lake Farm Park in Madison, WI.
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Participants will explore the countryside on their way to Vitruvian Farms, Parisi Family Farm, Anu Sky Farm, and (for the adventurous long route riders) Lovefood Farm. Riders will be able to choose from two route options: a short route (~37 miles) and a long route (~56 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 for 2025's ride*
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4 farms: Vitruvian Farms, Parisi Family Farm, Anu Sky Farm, & Lovefood Farm
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Short route: ~37 miles, ~1,700 ft total elevation gain
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Long route: ~57 miles, ~2,300 ft total elevation gain
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20+ local food & beverage vendors supporting the ride throughout the day
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*registration includes*
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Food & beverage: light breakfast, snack stops, lunch, after party meal
+ drink tickets​​
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Farm tours and interactive on-farm activities
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Live music at each stop
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Participant Gift Bag & special rider item
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A well-marked and fully supported scenic bike route
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And a whole lot of fun!
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Have questions?
Call FairShare at (608) 226-0300 or email [email protected].​​
*thank you to our event sponsors*
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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! Go the extra mile and register as a fundraiser rider to help members of our community access fresh, locally grown food, or sign up with general registration.
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:
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Short route: 3 farm stops, ~37 miles
Long route: 4 farm stops, ~55 miles
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*the 2025 route will feature farm stops at:*​
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Vitruvian Farms
Parisi Family Farm (lunch stop)
Anu Sky Farm
Lovefood Farm (long route)​​​​​
*estimated schedule*
Below is the estimated timing of when we are expecting riders at each stop. Please try to adhere to this timing when planning your ride!
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Long route departs: 9 AM
Short route departs: 10 AM
- - 10 miles - -
Vitruvian Farm: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
- - 6 miles - -
Parisi Family Farm (lunch stop): 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM
- - long route: 8 miles - -
Lovefood Farm (long route): 11 AM - 12:30 PM
- - long route: 15 miles - -
- - short route: 3.5 miles from Parisi Family Farm - -
Anu Sky Farm: 11:45 AM - 2:30 PM
- - 8 miles - -
Water Stop: 1:15 - 3 PM
- - 8 miles - -
After Party begins: 2 - 6 PM
We will share the exact route maps once final road construction review & permitting has been completed.
*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.
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! Our vendors incorporate as much local products as possible so exact menu items are not yet set. We will update with exact menu items & dietary notes as they are finalized.
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*2025 sample menu*
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Breakfast Snack
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Barrett's Bagels, cream cheese - vegan
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Assorted fruit & juice
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Coffee (Just Coffee), dairy (Organic Valley)
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VITruvian Farms Snack
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Vibrant Veg - vegan
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Elderberry, Apple, Sage & Honey Spritzer (Edible Madison) ​​​
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Parisi family farm lunch
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Mediterranean salad, hummus, chicken or falafel, stuffed grape leaves (Bunky's Cafe) - vegan, gluten-free ​
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Cold brew coffee floats (Just Coffee & Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream)
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Anu sky Farm snack
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Caprese skewers (Tricky Foods) - vegetarian, gluten-free
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Telsaan Tea
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Lovefood farm snack
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TBD
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Kombucha (Mr Tea's Kombucherie)
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Water stop snack
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Watermelon (Tipi Produce)
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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!)
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Canteen
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Madame Chu
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Afghan Kabul Cuisine
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The Baked Lab
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Heirloom Bakery - vegan
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Wine (provided by American Wine Project)
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Beer (Working Draft Beer Company)
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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. You can also make a direct donation to the Partner Shares Program here.
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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. You can help us raise $50,000 this year to provide critical 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!
*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:
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A commemorative Bike the Barns sticker
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The chance to earn sweet prizes and gear with our fundraising challenges
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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!
There are two prize formats this year:
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Tiered prizes - reach a certain fundraising total, receive the prize at that level
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Prize raffle - the more you raise, the better your chance is to win your preferred prize
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Riders are eligible to receive both tiered prizes and enter the prize raffle.
*tiered prizes*
Each time you reach a new fundraising "level", you receive another prize!
$100: Charge it up!​
Raise $100 or more and get entered to win a new Schwinn electric mountain bike!
$250: keep pedaling​
Enjoy your 2026 Bike the Barns registration on us, and keep pedaling to feed our community.
$500: Local food pack
Locavores delight in this bounty of expertly crafted goods highlighting the best of our regional artisans! From salty to sweet, there's something for every taste bud in this prize pack.
*prize raffle*
Every $100 you raise gets you a "ticket" to spend on your prize of choice! Winners will be randomly selected after September 15.
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Private tour & tasting at Stateline Distillery
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Meadowlark Organics Regenerative Rotation Grain Kit
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Orange Shoe Personal Training Package
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4 Mallards and 4 Night Mares Tickets for the 2026 season
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Two night stay at Circle M Farm
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REI picnic set
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Garden bundle and seed starting kit from Driftless Seed Supply
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Orange Tree Imports gift card
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Gift bundle from Machinery Row Bicycles
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12 month family membership to Olbrich Botanical Gardens
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and more to come!
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!​​​
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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 [email protected].
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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.