Bike the Barns - Driftless

Description

FairShare CSA Coalition’s 3rd Annual Bike the Barns Driftless takes place on Sunday, June 28. The event promotes community supported agriculture (CSA), celebrates local food and farms, and includes travel on the historic Elroy­Sparta state bike trail.

“This ride is really special because we showcase the farms with farm tours and feed the riders

the freshest seasonal produce,” said Erika Jones, FairShare CSA Coalition’s Executive Director.

“The idea of community supported agriculture is connecting farmers with eaters. This ride is really all about the farms, the food, and the community. And the food is so fresh and yummy ­it’s one of the few rides where you probably take in more calories than you burn!”

Riders bike 53 miles (or a 47­mile short route) of rolling Driftless region hills and visit Hickory Wind Alpaca and Fiber Farm, Old Oak Family Farm, Justin Trails and Inch by Inch Organic Farm. This year's ride starts and ends at Evans Bosshard Park in Sparta, Wisc., and features travel on the La Crosse River and Elroy­Sparta state recreational trails. The Elroy­Sparta Bike Trail is known as America’s first Rails to Trails project and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Registration is now closed. The registration fee includes an event t­shirt, route map, goody bag, and gourmet meals prepared by Rooted Spoon Culinary. The menu includes a breakfast snack, plated lunch, snack along the route, and post­ride picnic. Food is sourced locally from FairShare farms and other regional farms and local food businesses.

Many thanks to ride sponsors including Organic Valley, Health Tradition Health Plan, Peoples State Bank, Viroqua Food Co­op, People’s Food Co­op, Driftless Organics, Ridgeland Harvest, Kickapoo Coffee, Rooted Spoon Culinary, Edible Madison, Aprilaire, Old Oak Family Farm, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Small Family Farm and Driftless Edibles.

FairShare CSA Coalition is working to strengthen and increase access to community supported agriculture (CSA) in the Driftless region. Through community supported agriculture, individuals purchase a share in the season’s harvest directly from the farm, and receive weekly or bi­weekly boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. The ride supports FairShare's work and our Partner Shares program, which provides financial assistance toward the purchase of CSA shares for low­income households. Join the ride to support fresh, healthy food for Wisconsin families!