Bikers go by a barn with a decorative quilt design.
This year’s Annual Fall Bike Celebration Weekend, the 7th, features bike tours including mixed-surface gravel rides, a kid’s Bike Rodeo, a Farmers Market Cycle-In event, and guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village. It’s scheduled on the third weekend in September, the 19th through 21st.
The weekend also highlights attractions in and around the village of Vicksburg and raises awareness of the need to drive and bike safely as the hours of darkness increase during the fall. Put together by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, the annual celebration has consistently been followed by generous donations to local non-profits – so the more riders, the better! For full details, see www.fallbikecelebration.org.
Friday, September 19: Two main events are scheduled. The first 30 shoppers who bicycle to the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market can receive a $5 coupon good for purchases at the Market. Another: guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village.
Saturday, September 20: A free Bike Rodeo for children from the entire area is planned for the morning, courtesy of Safe Kids of Kalamazoo County and Vicksburg Community Schools. Bike rodeos like this teach and encourage kids to ride bikes safely on a closed course set up with fun and realistic traffic patterns and signs. Families with kids are encouraged to participate. The Rodeo will include a helmet check, bike mechanical checks and a chance to have fun while learning the rules of the road. Saturday will also feature guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village, a bicycle mural exhibit and an Ice Cream Social at Apple Knockers Ice Cream Parlor with a cone for pre-registered riders. On-line rider registrants will also receive a discount at the Distant Whistle Brewhouse.
On Sunday September 21, the Fall Bike Celebration Bike Tour – this year presented by Opalescence Dental – will offer routes that will take cyclists back in time, starting and ending at the lovingly restored Vicksburg Historic Village while featuring views of Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings. Cyclists can pick from scenic destinations all the way to Shipshewana, routes that include Michigan’s longest covered wooden bridge, Scotts Mill Park, the Village of Climax, as well as bite-sized family-friendly routes. Back for 2025 are mixed-surface gravel routes that will stop by Rawson’s King Mill Park in Leonidas.
“Vicksburg welcomes bicyclists and encourages everyone from the region to enjoy the Fall Bike Celebration,” said Bill Adams, former Vicksburg village president. “We are grateful for the support of the generous sponsors and wonderful in-kind supporters who make this fantastic fall bicycle festival possible. Bike Friendly Kalamazoo returns a lot of that support to south county.”
The weekend long event is organized by civic leaders, local charities and Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, offering many reasons to have fun and ride, showcasing local amenities, all while emphasizing the need for motorist and bicyclist safety. Some activities are free, some require waivers and some may require children to be accompanied by an adult. The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club is donating 5 Foot Safe Passing yard signs to event participants and volunteers. Registration for Sunday’s ride is at fallbikecelebration.org/registration.“This year the Fall Bike Celebration Weekend should be as exciting and enjoyable as ever,” said event Chair Paul Selden. “We invite everyone to enjoy all or part of the entire weekend.”
Bike Friendly Kalamazoo (BFK) is a Michigan non-profit organization whose mission is to help make our greater community even more bicycle friendly. Its programs include funding the All Kids Bike Learn to Ride Kindergarten PE program, public murals, grants and scholarships to support bicycle/motorist safety, education and infrastructure, while fostering collaboration among local leaders and organizations to improve the quality of life. Website: www.bikefriendlykalamazoo.org.
