The Wisconsin Bike Fed will bring Wisconsin Bike Week to Milwaukee this week to help connect people who pedal with art, camping, beer and baking.
The festivities kick off on Friday, June 1 and run through Saturday, June 9, with myriad events aiming to encourage participants to traverse the city on two wheels – a highly beneficial activity in terms of personal health, public health, convenient parking and, just generally speaking, a lot of fun.
There is a lot to do – find the full list of activities here – so below we are featuring a handful of the daily events.
Fill up your tires, take it slow, think like a driver and enjoy the ride.
Bay View Gallery Night Roll Out
This is a check point-style fun ride during gallery night. Grab a score sheet from Rushmor Records and let the hunt begin.
Historic Beer Bike Ride
This bike tour connects beer with brewing history while biking. It starts at the Milwaukee Brewing History Museum and stops at three different local craft breweries.
Bike Fed Fest
The first annual Bike Fed Fest rolls from 3 until 8 p.m. featuring music from Q the Sun, Fox Face and Hello, Face, as well as tacos from Taco Moto and – if you've got a VIP ticket – free beer! Proceeds support a matching grant for the Mobile Bike Repair Program, which trains and employs Milwaukee high school youth to help fix bikes in the community. Get tickets here.
Commuter Stations every day (Monday - Friday):
Those who bike to work between 7 and 9 a.m. can enjoy Commuter Stations across town, which offer complimentary coffee, snacks and occasionally bacon. Some small bike adjustments can be made at most stations, too. Find a commuter station on your route.
Bacon on the Bike Trail
Fuel never tasted so good. Coast In Bikes brings back Bacon on the Bike Trail. Stop by the Engine Co. 3 commuter station every day for your fill of this electrolyte- and calorie-infused treat. Bacon is available on Thursdays at the Menomonee Valley and Black Girls Do Bike stations, as well.
DIY mechanic nights from Ladies Revolution
These casual, social amateur mechanic nights help women, trans and femme folks learn basic bike maintenance so you don't get stuck out with a flat tire – or, if it does happen, you'll know how to fix it.
United We Roll Bike Night
A group ride down from the Bike Fed to the Harley-Davidson Museum for the unveiling of a 1917 reproduction Harley-Davidson bicycle made by Heritage Bicycles.
Gears 'n' Grub
Ride your bike to Pete's Fruit Market for some delicious cooking demonstrations that are good for people on the go.
... and more
If none of these events ding your bell, check out the complete list for bicycle beer benefits, mayoral meetups, pride rides, slow rolls, bike camping and more.
Jason McDowell grew up in central Iowa and moved to Milwaukee in 2000 to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
In 2006 he began working with OnMilwaukee as an advertising designer, but has since taken on a variety of rolls as the Creative Director, tackling all kinds of design problems, from digital to print, advertising to branding, icons to programming.
In 2016 he picked up the 414 Digital Star of the Year award.
Most other times he can be found racing bicycles, playing board games, or petting dogs.