BFK’s Fall Bike Celebration Bike Tour

The welcome mat will be out for cyclists throughout the third spectacular Fall Bike Celebration weekend (September 16-18, 2022)…with fantastic routes through the beautiful Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana countryside centered in the charming Village of Vicksburg.  Sunday’s Bike Tour will range from a Century ride across state lines to quaint Shipshewana (IN) all the way down to a 4 mile family trail ride.  Routes will include glimpses of the Vicksburg Quilt Barn Trail.  The ride will be supported with SAG stops, maps and clear road markings. Plus, a delicious meal will be waiting at the finish.

Signing up for Sunday’s Bike Tour is easy. Register for Sunday’s Bike Tour online through September 12 at BikeReg, or in person Sunday morning.

But wait–there’s more! (Chuckle)  Featured attractions in Vicksburg on Friday and Saturday include a top-rated disc golf course, a Farmers Market (often with live music) right next to the lovingly restored Vicksburg Historic Village, an introduction to the “mysterious*” Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings, the ability to tour back in time on a stroll through the fascinating Vicksburg Historic Village, Ice Cream and…if everything comes together as hoped…a recognition of the murals and muralists featured as part of our public bike art mural effort.        (*As in, “What the heck did I just see?”  “How did it get there?”  “What does it mean?”)

We want you to join us and enjoy the ride of a lifetime…going back in time…during a weekend jam-packed with added features…nestled in charming rural Southwest Michigan…allow you to experience “two states of mind”…featuring routes you will never forget…in support of bicycling and community-based charitable causes.

Proceeds from the ride support Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s grant, scholarships and our many programs that boost safety, education and awareness building, not to mention giving an oomph to LMB and to the very concrete goal of increasing ridership and participation…for bicyclists and cyclists of virtually all ages and abilities!

Please consider bringing a jar of peanut butter to donate. We can help feed kids who might otherwise go hungry through Generous Hands.

We will be updating our Fall Bike Celebration Weekend website as September approaches, listening to your ideas for how to improve as well.

Are we excited? Absolutely! Is the greater community in on our planning committee and joining in the fun? All the way!

In the meantime, please visit our website from time to time to check out the huge unfolding Schedule chock full of fun things to do, learn more about the Sunday’s Bike Tour Routes, opportunities for Sponsorship, and head over to the Sunday Bike Tour Registration page to sign up. Our fees are about the same as the most popular rides, so you won’t have any sticker shock.  Want to help make the Fall Bike Celebration Weekend a great experience for everyone and be a part of an always enthusiastic, eager-to-make-it-happen team?  Head over to the Volunteer page and let us know who you are.  Those interested in BFK’s Public Bike Art will want to check for details as the year unfolds.

The Celebration is organized by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo (BFK), a 501(c)3 non-profit network of volunteers working to make our greater community even more bike friendly (see our About page).

BTW, BFK cares about your health!  Follow currently recommended heath and COVID-19 precautions to protect others as well as yourself.  Plus, make sure you use a DEET based mosquito repellent when enjoying yourself outside — especially around the hours of dawn and dusk.  (We’re told this is a good practice anytime you are exposed to such risks for more than about 15 minutes.)

If you’ve heard enough, register for Sunday’s Bike Tour online through BikeReg through September 12 to take advantage of online pricing.  Want more details?  Keep reading.  You’ll also find a lot more on our website at www.fallbikecelebration.org.

Routes (all start/finish at Vicksburg Historic Village in Vicksburg, MI) and are subject to change.  Mileages approximate.

• Shipshewana Century (103 miles)
• Shipshewana “Hybrid*” (83 miles; *Imperial-Metric)
• Covered Bridge Metric Century (62 miles)
• Half Century Imperial and Metric “mix ‘n’ match” combo possibilities (up to you!)
• Climax (38 miles)
• Scotts Mill Park (25 miles)
• Vicksburg Quilt Trail North & South Loops (17-ish miles each)
• Lake Cruise (10 miles)
• Vicksburg Recreational Trail (4-5 miles)

Within our last start and closing time parameters, feel free to combine more than one route to fit your mileage goals to build the perfect day. For example, Climax+Vicksburg Quilt Trail South Loop=54 miles. Vicksburg Quilt Trail North+South=32 miles (51.5 km). (See Bike Tour Routes page for start times and more information on the many wonderful journeys we have in store, and the Schedule page for featured attractions the whole weekend.

Online Ride Registration

Super Early-Bird (until December 31, 2020): Half Off On-site Registration
Early-Bird (January 1-May 31): $27.50 Individual; $50 Family
Advance (June 1 – August 31): $30 Individual; $55 Family
Last-Minute Online (September 1-14): $35 Individual; $60 Family
On site Registration (Sunday Sept 18): $45 Individual; $75 Family

T-SHIRT SALES – T-Shirts are available for purchase through BikeReg. This sweet design was lovingly created just for our inaugural Fall Bike Celebration. Our prices may change on the day of the ride, and only limited quantities will be available. Reserve yours now or face the consequences of serious regret and jealous emotion as you behold those who planned in advance and purchased them online. Due to logistics, online sales close September 12 at 5pm.