What's Happening in Madison, WI…

Cycling enthusiasts will gather in Fitchburg this fall for the annual "Pick Me Up at the Border," a long-distance nighttime gravel ride supporting bicycle infrastructure and safety initiatives.

Organized by Bike Fitchburg, Inc., the ride features three distance options along the Badger State Trail: a 25-mile route to Belleville, a 40-mile trip to Monticello, and an 80-mile journey to the Illinois state line.

Participants begin at The Seminole Tap following a mandatory safety briefing and sign-in at 6:30 pm. A group rollout will start at 7:00 pm, with all routes beginning together before riders continue at their desired pace. The trail includes a 5.3-mile asphalt stretch in Fitchburg, followed by gravel terrain and a minor detour on Tunnel Road.

Registration is $15 per person per distance and must be completed online. Proceeds will benefit Bike Fitchburg. Riders are responsible for purchasing their own state trail pass.

All riders must wear helmets and are required to use headlights of 300 lumens as a minimum, along with taillights. Those attempting longer routes are encouraged to carry extra batteries or power banks. There will be refreshment locations along the way.

Organizers may need to highlight the different refreshment stops for events such as this one, and may use banner printing to do so.

Pick Me Up at the Border takes place Friday, September 19 through Saturday, September 20, from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am, starting at The Seminole Tap, 5956 Executive Drive, Fitchburg, Wisconsin.