Bike the Barn Quilts event has new look in pandemic

Event started in July, runs through September
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

The Bike the Barn Quilts event put on by Shawano Pathways will have a much different look and feel in 2020.

In past years, a Friday barn dance took place before the main event on the final Saturday of September. This year, the coronavirus pandemic canceled the barn dance and turned the event into a remote one in which participants have several weeks to complete.

Participants can either walk or run a 10K, or complete a 40-mile bike ride. The event began in July and runs through September.

Because the event won’t happen on a single day in one place, individuals from across the world could participate on their own time and at their own pace, while helping raise funds for Shawano Pathways. This year, the event will also help support the newly-formed group Friends of the Mountain Bay Trail.

Matty Mathison, one of three Bike the Barn Quilts event coordinators, said the event took on the motto of, “wherever, whenever, however” this year.

Melanie Curti, another event coordinator, gave a perfect example of how that motto is helping individuals partake in the event this year.

“I have a brother and his wife out in California, and even though he’s only been to Shawano once, he’s planning to support Friends of Mountain Bay Trail by getting a membership and then he’s also planning to do the event out there and invite as many of his friends as possible,” said Curti.

Participants could walk/run or bike on any trails or roads or complete the event on a treadmill or stationary bike if they wish.

Typically around 200 individuals participate in the September event. So far, at least 60 people have signed up to compete this year, and the coordinators — with Nancy Schultz being the third — expect that number to grow as the temperatures cool down and make for more comfortable conditions to participate in.

Mathison said there was talk about canceling the entire event this year, but adapting to the situation proved to a safe choice that allowed the event to “maintain its reputation.”

She also noted that while the Mountain Bay Trail primarily is in Shawano County — 51 of the 83 miles — most annual trail passes are sold in Wausau or Green Bay and that 70% of the fees from the passes go back to the county they were bought in. That coupled with the fact that Shawano County has the smallest parks department and budget doesn’t leave much money in order to maintain and improve the trails, which is where Friends of Mountain Bay Trail is trying to help out.

The cost of the event is $20 for an individual. For an additional $10, an individual can obtain a Friends of the Mountain Bay Trail-Shawano County annual membership.

It costs $45 for a family to participate, with an additional $10 upgrade to get the Friends of Mountain Bay Trail-Shawano County annual family membership.

After completing the event, participants will receive a Hoo-rag, which serves several purposes, including as a face mask or headband.

Online registration is being highly encouraged. Interested individuals can see more event information and register at www.shawanopathways.org/events/bike-the-barn-quilts-ride/virtual-event-d....

Questions about the event can be emailed to btbq@shawanopathways.org.

sports@newmedia-wi.com