Madison Winter Bike Week 2019
Winter Bike Week is back for 2019! From February 1 to February 8, we and our partners will bring a wide range of events that celebrate riding in the cold to you! Check back regularly for updates! Scroll down for the full list and details of the events.
Printable flyer (pdf)
Want to add all Winter Bike Week events to your personal calendar?
- Google Calendar: Go to our Community Bike Calendar and click “+ Google Calendar” in the lower right corner
- Other calendars: Download this .ics file and open it with your calendar app.
All Week
Photo contest
On Friday February 1st the theme will be announced. For the week of winter bike week feel free to submit and vote for as many photos as you want that fit within the given theme.
The top 3 photos based on reactions as votes will be printed out and voted on during the End-of-Week Happy Hour Celebration, then we will celebrate the final winner.
Bloom Bake Shop – Monroe St.
Free coffee and mini doughnuts for cyclists from Monday to Friday – just bring in your helmet.
Pasture and Plenty – 2433 University at Highland
Free small coffee, hot tea and energy bites for bicyclists.
Tuesday through Friday 7am–9am
AND – 10% off Fish Fry and Beer/Wine on Friday Night, Feb 8, if you bike in and show off your helmet.
Friday, 2/1
Frozen Assets Fat Bike Race, 6:30 pm, The Edgewater
Update 1/16: Race has been moved. More detail here
Photo credit: Clean Lakes Alliance
Join our friends from the Clean Lakes Alliance for their third annual Frozen Assets Fat Bike Race on Lake Mendota, presented by Rayovac!
The lit course will run from The Edgewater heading across Lake Mendota towards Picnic Point and back towards the UW-Madison campus and downtown Madison, all under the wide night sky. Choose from a 4.25 mile single lap or a 12.75 mile three-lap race and three different divisions.
As always, proceeds supports work to protect our lakes. The race fee goes up to $50 on January 1st.
As a special for Madison Bikes members, use code FAFB10 to get 10% off your registration before January 1.
Saturday, 2/2
Indoor Bike Station: Rocket Bicycle Studio, 8am to 2pm, 507 Bruce St, Verona
Ride your bike over to Verona and get half off any drink of choice or bakery item – 8am to 2pm (one per person)
CANCELED Fat Bike Sled Pull at the Frozen Assets Festival, noon to 3 pm
Update 1/16: The Clean Lakes Alliance has canceled all on-lake activities because of concerns about the ice. Sadly, this means we can’t hold our sled pull.
Madison Bikes is partnering with the Clean Lakes Alliance at the Frozen Assets Festival. For the second time, we’ll be on frozen Lake Mendota to offer sled rides for kids – pulled by fat bikes. Come with your kids or just watch!
Sunday, 2/3
CANCELED – MTB Ride for Women at Seminole Trails, 10am, picnic table at Seminole MTB trail system
Let’s celebrate Winter Bike Week by riding the Seminole trails together!
This will be a relaxed meetup ride. Gather at the picnic table pre-ride. This ride will be postponed if the conditions are not right (too cold or too warm). Dress weather appropriately.
Bell Joy Rides are open to Women, Trans, Femme identifying individuals
Monday, 2/4
Madison Bikes Winter Bike Week 2018 Kickoff Bike Station, 7–9 am, Cap City Trail at Law Park
- Free coffee courtesy of EVP Coffee
- Treats from Willy Street North
Stop by our Bike Station (formerly known as commuter station) for free coffee, treats, and Winter Bike Week 2019 cheer on the Capital City Trail at Law Park.
Monday Night MEAThead ride
Ride begins at 7:00 in front of Ford’s Gym.
A no-drop Lake Monona loop, followed by an optional loop through the Arboretum around Lake Wingra.
Tuesday, 2/5
Free Yoga Class at Harbor Athletic Club
Free morning yoga class with Kierstin Kloeckner at Harbor Athletic Club in Middleton. Tuesday yoga from 6:30–7:15 am and Thursday Pilates from 6:30–7:15 am.
Fitchburg Bike to Work Day Commuter Station, 7–9am, Velo UnderRound (where SW, Cannonball, Badger, Military Ridge trails intersect)
Join Bike Fitchburg for hot drinks and bagels, free maps, and (empty) water bottles.
Revolution Cycles Bike Station, 7–9 am, Cap City Trail at Atwood Ave
Revolution Cycles will be serving coffee and treats on the Cap City Trail at the intersection with Atwood Ave
Machinery Row Bicycles Afternoon Indoor Bike Station, 4–6 pm, 601 Williamson St
Stop by Machinery Row Bicycles for coffee from Café Domestique and a free bike safety check. From 4–6:30pm, our friendly mechanics will be on hand to make sure your bike is safe, and your veins lightly caffeinated. Right on the bike path where Willy Street meets John Nolen Drive, Machinery Row Bicycles is happy to support Winter Bike Week.
JUST BIKES Coalition Indoor Bike Shenanigans
4:30–7:30 pm at the Free Bikes 4 Kids Madison workshop (4546 Verona Rd. – next to Home Depot)
Test your bike skills with a variety of bike games and obstacle courses. Gold sprints! Free beer, soda, hot cocoa and appetizers will be available. The Spoke-n-words bicycle-powered micro library will also be there
Wednesday, 2/6
HotelRED Indoor Bike Station, 7–9 am at HotelRED (1501 Monroe St)
Outdoor Bike Stations are great. But it’s also nice to have your coffee and treat in the warm. Come to the lobby at HotelRED to warm up and chat
INDOOR Bike Station: Canteen on the Square
7–9am enjoy free Coffee, churros, scramble eggs and chilaquiles at Canteen Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 111 S. Hamilton St.
Bike Traffic Skills 101, noon–1 pm, University Bicycle Resource Center, located in the Helen C. White Garage
Open and free to the public. Class taught by UW Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Chuck Strawser. Learn the basics of cycling and keep yourself safe and comfortable while riding in traffic. Free Planet Bike blinky light set to the first five (5) attendees. Bring a bag lunch!
Rockhound Brewing Bike Happy Hour, 3–6 pm, Rockhound Brewing Co., 444 S Park St
2 for 1 pints to anyone who bikes to the pub and shows their helmet.
Thursday, 2/7
Free Pilates Class at Harbor Athletic Club
Free morning pilates class with Kierstin Kloeckner at Harbor Athletic Club in Middleton. Tuesday yoga from 6:30–7:15 am and Thursday Pilates from 6:30–7:15 am.
OUTDOOR Bike Station: Cafe Domestique and The Cargo Bike Shop, Cap City Trail at Dickinson
7–9 am Free coffee and breakfast sausage corn dogs by Underground Food Collective
Bike Happy Hour (n+1) Cafe (inside Rocket Bicycle Studio), ****507 Bruce St, Verona, 5 to 7pm
Ride your bike and get $1 off a beer and one of our buck-a-cup snacks (one per person)
CANCELED Fitchburg Cycles In-Store Social, Fitchburg Cycles, 2970 Cahill Main #101, Fitchburg, 5 to 7pm
Enjoy some light refreshments and in-store discounts on all winter cycling apparel and bike accessories. There will also be a raffle during the event!
State Line Distillery Biker’s Happy Hour, 1413 Northern Court, 5 to 11pm
$1 off classics cocktails all night long, $4 all bottle purchases (until 9pm) – just show that you biked and get the discount!
Friday, 2/8
Indoor Bike Station: Canteen on the Square, 7 to 9 am
7–9am enjoy free Coffee, churros, scrambled eggs and chilaquiles at Canteen Taqueria & Tequila Bar, 111 S. Hamilton St.
Outdoor Bike Station: Design Concepts, 7 to 9am, E Wilson/Cap City at Ingersoll
Design Concepts will serve hot coffee with breakfast kabobs, clean/lube chains, and take your portraits!
International Winter Bike to Work Day
Mob the Bike Counter, all day, Cap City Trail @ Northshore bike counter and SW Path @ Monroe counter
Make your ride count! Whenever you have the opportunity, try to ride past one of the bike counters. Feel free to share pictures of the bike counters with us.
Bike counters are located at
1. Capital City trail along John Nolen near the North Shore intersection. (http://www.eco-public.com/public2/?id=100020865)
2. Southwest Commuter Path just east of the Regent & Monroe intersection. (http://www.eco-public.com/public2/?id=100117717)
State Line Distillery Biker’s Happy Hour, 1413 Northern Court, 5 to 11pm
$1 off classics cocktails all night long, $4 all bottle purchases (until 9pm) – just show that you biked and get the discount!
End-of-Week Happy Hour Celebration, 5–7pm at Bandung’s Nutty Bar, 600 Williamson St.
We will celebrate all things winter & cycling, and honor participants of the Winter Bike Week Photo Contest. Whether you are a winter biker or ally, come join in the fun!
