Bike Tour registration for Sunday Sept. 21, 2025 will be open on site from 7:30am – noon on the morning of the Ride. ***UPDATE: Gravel / Mixed Surface routes will ALL start at 9am; ride leader will update riders at that time. Changes in registration and other route start/stop times may be affected by weather on September 21. Registration Desk may move indoors to the restored “Township Hall” just north of the Gazebo. The forecast can change at the last minute with little or no advance warning. Further information for the Bike Tour will be relayed at the Day-Of Ride registration desk. Pre-Registered Riders were sent a general update before 5pm ET on Sept 20.*** Online registration is now closed.
Fees are the same as 2023-4. Register online at BikeReg* through 11:59pm ET on Sept. 14, 2025 until the online registration limit of 200 riders is reached. After that, “no-limit” in-person registration will be offered on site from 7:30am – noon on the morning of the Ride. It’s not a race, and, E-bikes & recumbents are welcome!
Due to shipping logistics, T-Shirt sales close Sept. 7 at 11:59pm.
BFK’s Fall Bike Celebration’s magnificent Bike Tour — this year proudly presented by Stifel — is always on the Sunday of the third full weekend of September — offering something for everyone.
Our “two states of mind” Vicksburg-Shipshewana Century explores the Amish country of Indiana. All routes will take you back in time — past photogenic Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings — starting and finishing on the grounds of the lovingly curated Vicksburg Historic Village. The tour is supported with maps, SAG stops & snacks, and the paved road routes will be clearly marked. All riders will enjoy a delicious meal at ride’s end.
PRE-REGISTRATION BENEFITS
Everyone who pre-registers online will get a coupon for a free cyclist’s Ice Cream cone at Apple Knocker’s Ice Cream Parlor–good for the rest of September. AND, pre-registered riders will get a coupon for 10% off at the Distant Whistle Brewhouse in beautiful downtown Vicksburg–also good for the rest of September. PLUS – pre-registered riders who pick up their packets and get their wrist bands in person at Saturday’s Ice Cream Social (5pm-7pm) can skip the line and start the ride without having to pick up your packet/wrist band at the Day-Of Registration desk on Sunday.
Online Ride Registration is OPEN through Sept 14*
(On site registration open Sunday September 21 from 7:30am – noon)
On site (Sunday Sept 21): $50 Individual; $75 Family
*Individual and Family registration Details are on Bike Reg. Bike Reg charges a transaction fee not listed in the registration fees. We hope you feel the security of their professional processing system and extra piece of mind are worth it. We ask your understanding that we need to cover our expenses as a 501c3 non-profit.
SUNDAY DAY-OF RIDE REGISTRATION
We will offer Day-of Ride registration unless something really crazy stops the world in its tracks. Day-of registration opens at 7:30am for the Vicksburg-Shipshewana Century route. Day-of registration windows for all other routes open at 8am or after (see below). Day-of ride registration closes for all routes at NOON.
At day-of registration it will be easier if you pay in cash and have exact change for the registration. We will take personal checks and credit cards as well.
ROUTE START TIMES & ROUTE DISTANCE OVERVIEW (in rough order of latest start time – see our dedicated ROUTES page for maps and detailed descriptions)
- Shipshewana Century (102 miles; suggested group start: 8am; latest start: 8:15am; SAGs 1, 2 & 3)
- Shipshewana “Hybrid” (Imperial-Metric) (84 miles; group start: 8:15am; latest start: 8:45am; SAGs 1 & 2)
- Covered Bridge Metric Century (64 miles; group start: 9:00am; latest start: 9:30am; SAG 2)
- GRAVEL EVENT (32 & 59 mile options; ALL RIDERS start: 9:00am; SAG 4)
- Climax (36 miles; latest / group start: 10am; SAG 3)
- Scotts Mill Park (21 miles; latest / group start: 10am; SAG 3)
- Vicksburg Quilt Trail (18-ish miles; latest / group start: 10:30am)
- Lake Cruise (12 miles; Sunset & Austin Lake views; latest / group start: 10:30am)
- Vicksburg Recreational Trail (4-5 miles; latest / group start: 11am)
- “Mix ‘n’ match” combo possibilities* (up to you! Just note SAG closing times)
*Within our last start and closing times, feel free to combine more than one route to fit your mileage goals to build the perfect day. For example, Climax+Vicksburg Quilt Trail South Loop=54 miles. Vicksburg Quilt Trail North+South=33 miles (53 km).
START/FINISH & SAG STOP OPENING/CLOSING TIMES
All routes start/finish at the Vicksburg Historic Village in Vicksburg, MI. The Historic Village opens for on-site registration at 7:30AM and we close the grounds at 5pm.
SAG Stops 1, 2, 3 and 4 open and close as noted below. Route details are on the Routes page. Emergency phone numbers will be printed on the maps.
Please plan accordingly; SAG stops open and close when listed.
1. Shipshewana routes: Lions Club Pavilion in Shipshewana – N735 W; 9:45am – 12:45pm
2. Centreville: Adams Park: 8:30am – 2:00pm
3. Scotts Mill Park (Kalamazoo County): 8:30am – 4:00pm; NOTE: the mill may be open — check it out!
4. GRAVEL / MIXED SURFACE ROUTES: Rawson’s King Mill Park (St. Joseph County): 9am-noon
ROUTE START LOCATIONS
Shipshewana 102 & Hybrid 84, Covered Bridge 64 Routes, Quilt Route, Lake Cruise and Family Routes: Start at corner of N. Richardson & North Street (west side of Historic Village next to Trust Shield Lot)
ALL other routes: Start at Spruce St & Historic Village winding gravel road (east side of Historic Village) or as otherwise directed.
Volunteer group starts, routes and start locations are subject to change without notice.
GROUP START BULLETIN BOARD
Group starts give riders a chance for extra camaraderie. (See below for a Bulletin Board a the group starts we have heard about.) Meet with whoever is gathering at the suggested group start time. On the three shortest routes, depart at the latest start if you want to buddy up with other families or like-minded group start riders who are at the starting point at that time.
Some cyclists may volunteer to lead a ride out of town at the start at a certain pace, If so, their names and start times are listed here as they volunteer and once known. Otherwise, meet up in by the registration desk to see if others are leaving at the suggested start times (above). From there ride groups may split into smaller groups or as individuals at different paces. Meet at REGISTRATION DESK AREA.
Route: Group Start Time
Shipshewana 102: Paul Guthrie – 18 mph at 8am
Climax 36: Tom Brennan – Climax route – 14 mph at 8am
Gravel Routes: Steve Cox – departure at 9am
POST-RIDE MEAL – HISTORIC VILLAGE TOUR – SWAG
Stop by the shady Grove in the Historic Village after your ride for a delicious meal. You you will be asked for your choice of Apple Knockers’ famous Chicken Salad Wrap, Ham & Cheese Wrap or Power Veggie Wrap, or other meat sandwich (type TBD) when you register. Your meal will be available starting at 10:30am until the Vicksburg Historic Village closes at 5pm. There will be beverages and snacks at the SAG Stops and at ride’s end. There will be apple cider at ride’s end, as well!
After your meal, you are invited to tour the Historic Village with a docent when available or at your leisure. We continue to be amazed at the extent of the exhibits, how well they are marked and were delighted that docents are often available at building marked with an ”Open” flag.
Before you head home, stop by the Registration Gazebo area for complementary maps, bike safety literature, complementary tail lights and reflective leg bands if you need them and any other swag we may be able to conjure up (while supplies last).
PARKING & BIKE PROTOCOL
The Registration Area is in the Gazebo on the grounds of the Historic Village. Walk to the registration area to register or pick up your pre-registration packet if you did not pick it up during the Ice Cream Social. CLICK HERE FOR A GOOGLE EARTH MAP OF THIS AREA Zoom and move around to show how to enter Spruce Street from the north or south.
Parking – Shipshewana 102, 84 and Covered Bridge 62 Routes: Park in the two paved lots directly to the west across the road from the Historic Village (Trust Shield Insurance and the little park on either side of the the intersection of Richardson St. and North St). ONLY if there is room, you may also use these lots for the Quilt Trail, Lake Cruise and Trail Routes. Use caution when crossing Richardson St. to and from the Historic Village.
Parking – All Other Routes: All other routes and overflow have parking at the Vicksburg Historic Village. However, you can’t enter their grass lot from Richardson. Navigate to Spruce St. (the road to the east of the Vicksburg Community Pavilion). Enter heading west via the short ONE WAY gravel drive to the immediate south of the Pavilion. Turn left into the grassy area (south) just before the one-way exits on to Richardson. Park as directed by the signs and markings in the grass lot next to the Historic Village.
Bike Protocol: To reduce chaos and congestion on the grounds of the Historic Village, secure your bikes in your vehicles before and after the ride. After parking, please enter the Historic Village grounds on foot whenever possible. Try to limit bringing bikes on the grounds as much as possible.
T-SHIRT SALES
T-Shirts are only available for purchase online on BikeReg through Sept. 7 at 11:59am ET; we won’t have extras to sell on ride day. This sweet design was lovingly created just for our Fall Bike Celebration. The color was picked by our Flash Poll that ended in December. We suggest reserving yours by the deadline, or face the consequences of serious regret and jealous emotion as you behold those who planned in advance. The color below is for illustrative purposes only.
No, we are not giving them away since every dollar we are lucky enough to clear over our expenses for this shindig is going straight to worthy 501(c)3 charitable causes. And yes, the Sponsors side will be updated. 🙂
ADVANCE PRE-REGISTRATION PACKET PICK UP
If you register online in advance you can skip the crowds and pick up your registration packets in Vicksburg (see the Schedule for details). You can pick them up at the Ride registration table at the Vicksburg Historic Village. What’s not picked up will be donated.
You’ll get an email about Advance Pre-Registration Packet Pickup if you register in advance, closer to the ride.
Check out the Bike Tour’s Route page for descriptions of all the fantastic options and the Schedule page for why we are so fired up about BFK’s Fall Bike Celebration.
LODGING
Search for lodging & campground info via your favorite browser. Closest hotels are on I-94 at Sprinkle Road. Book camping spaces as far in advance as possible; they are often sold out.
WAIVERS & CANCELLATIONS
*Online registration for SUNDAY’S BIKE TOUR closes Sept. 15 at BikeReg. Liability waivers must be completed in order to participate in the Ride and all of its routes. Your fees will support many worthy community and bicycling causes. Bike Friendly Kalamazoo is concerned with the overall safety of visitors, participants, staff and organizers of the Fall Bike Celebration. That said, this is a rain or shine fundraising event; all sales are final unless we need to cancel the entire Ride for unforeseen reasons such as extreme weather, state or local declared emergencies or a safety concern of similar magnitude. Registrations are not transferable. On the other hand, we are offering lots of options during BikeReg’s registration process in case we have to completely cancel (say, due to COVID-19 or other extreme situation). You can register with confidence knowing you may choose between four options in case BFK must cancel the entire Ride: 1) refund (less non-refundable fees); 2) transfer of registration to our Ride to the following year; 3) charitable donation of registration fees (less non-refundable fees); 4) Flexible solo/family/trusted circle Ride with meal card(s) and maps provided by BFK. With an event as compact as ours – and with so many routes and starting times – we are optimistic. As of now we will be able to offer a delicious ice cream cone and meal card(s) and a map to those opting for the “solo/family/trusted circle/virtual” cancellation option #4. Those choosing this option understand that routes may or may not be marked at the time you choose to ride, and that no SAG support will be provided by BFK. Bike Friendly Kalamazoo is an IRS registered 501(c)3 Michigan nonprofit; your Event fees will be deductible to the fullest extent of the law. T-Shirts must be picked up on Ride Day or we will consider them a donation to charity; we can’t afford to ship them for these prices or store them after the day of the ride. T-Shirt sales are not refundable.
Please help us fight hunger in children by bringing a jar of peanut butter to donate.
We are partnering with Generous Hands (allied with Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes) to serve as a food drive collection point. See below for more on the community based spirit of this great weekend.
Your donations to Generous Hands will help those in need!
SUPPORT FOR CHARITIES
Bike Friendly Kalamazoo is a 501(c)3 IRS registered public charity and a Michigan nonprofit corporation. We are a community-based coalition of many riding groups and civic organizations. Your support and participation in this event will also help feed kids that might otherwise go hungry through Generous Hands (a partner with Loaves and Fishes), and provide services to veterans, seniors and the disabled through South County Community Services. This event is also one of the most public ways that Bike Friendly Kalamazoo raises funds to boost its bike safety, education and awareness building programs, not to mention the very concrete goal of increasing interest and participation in riding bikes…for bicyclists and cyclists of virtually all ages and abilities!
– Our Fall Bike Celebration BIKE TOUR is participating in LMB’s $1/rider program.
– BFK believes that healthy riding clubs make for more bike friendly communities, which is why we started BFK’s “Great Clubs, Great Riders” $1 Back-2-Clubs program. Meaning, we are ALSO pledging to donate $1 back to clubs, per each 501c3 bike club member* who declares their membership at our registration desk! This means $100 back to your club for every 100 members who have registered and show up to ride. Hey, it can’t hurt, right? (*One club per rider; minimum check we can cut is $10; 501c3 incorporated riding clubs; our decisions “final”; our lawyers happy?; our CPA-who knows; our mission-fulfilled; our president-thrilled! Click here for additional important details, limitations, etc.).
FINE PRINT
BikeReg adds a service fee to online purchases. Since this event is a fundraiser for charitable causes, we are kindly asking you to consider the added security that BikeReg offers plus the fact that if BFK “absorbed” this fee for you, it would reduce the amount we could put toward our mission. Thanks for understanding!
Hint hint: Want to really save on next year’s ride? Register way early.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Let’s make the Fall Bike Celebration a safe success. Consult your health professional and our Health Advisories page.