A release of doves will help open the second annual Bike the Barn Quilts tour Saturday morning.
More than 100 people have already registered for the event, which begins at Memorial Park in Shawano.
Matty Mathison of Shawano Pathways, which sponsors the ride, hopes the 2014 event can shatter the first year’s attendance of 180 riders.
“Last year we had 43 pre-registered around this time, so I hope so,” said Mathison, who would like to draw more than 200 riders.
Shawano Pathways is a nonprofit organization working to increase recreational opportunities by developing a greenway and trail system. Proceeds from Bike the Barn Quilts will go to help maintain, enhance and extend the existing trails throughout Shawano County.
Mathison said the event promises to be a vibrant day with beautiful weather.
“We are trying to design routes so people can see the most quilts,” she said. “It is going to be colorful this year.”
There are routes available for novice riders as well as avid cyclists. All routes begin and end at Memorial Park.
Participants will be able to choose between the Family Fun Ride of five to eight miles, a 16-mile guided tour, 16-, 22- and 36-mile rides, and a new 70-mile route featuring up to 30 of the 271 barn quilts in Shawano County.
“People can go as far as they want and turn around,” Mathison said.
Individuals will be able to view 13 quilts on the 16-mile trail and 14 on the 22-mile scenic trail around Cloverleaf Lakes. The 36-mile route will take people past several quilts to downtown Gresham and back.
There will also be a donation drive to benefit area homeless with a shoe bin at Memorial Park.
“The bins are all over town, but we will have one here (Saturday),” Mathison said. “Gently used athletic shoes are preferable.”
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