Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

🚴‍♂️ 608 en-cycle-pedia

Biking in Madison

Who needs a bike trail when we have a frozen lake? | Photo by Kenton Fowler

Madisonians don’t mess around when it comes to biking. Now that the isthmus is starting to warm up, let’s check out what the 608 has to offer for locals who wheely like bikes.

🔨 Buy and repair

1230 Regent St. | Road, hybrid, mountain, and kids’ bikes
1124 Regent St. | Service, parts, and accessories
930 Regent St. | Used bike showroom/museum

Pro tip: Check out Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor for secondhand bikes at more affordable prices. Plus, Madison Freewheel Bicycle Co. is closing permanently in June — stop by for discounted prices on bikes, frames, wheels, and assorted parts.

🗺️ Hit the trails

UW Arboretum | Enjoy restored prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands.
Aldo Leopold Park | Adventurous bikers can check out this park’s pump track and skills trail.
Lower Yahara River Trail | The longest inland bridge made specifically for non-motorized transportation in North America.

Plus, bookmark this interactive bike map to keep tabs on the current status of resources and routes that are subject to change.

👥 It’s more fun with friends

Looking for a bike buddy? Find a club that best suits you.

Couples on Wheels | This bike club dates back to 1988.
Hugh Jass Fat Bike Races | Spend the summer training for this fall/winter race series.
Mad Bike Polo | Great for multitaskers — this club combines the sport of polo with biking.
Madison Women’s Cycling Club | Come for the biking, stay for the Taco Tuesday rides.
Madison Unicyclists | Who needs two wheels anyway?

Events

Today, March 31

Sunshine Raynebow’s Drag Show | Friday, Mar. 31 | 9 p.m. | The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $5 | QueerHereToSlay Trans Visibility presents a family-friendly drag show hosted by Sunshine Raynebow.

Saturday, April 1

Minnesota Røkkr Home Series: Call of Duty Esports | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 2 p.m. | Orpheum, 216 State St., Madison | $31-$36 | Watch Minnesota Røkkr compete against Los Angeles Guerrillas and Florida Mutineers in front of a packed house of Call of Duty fans.
The Spring Crafty Fair | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., Madison | Free | Come shop 65 makers bringing you their best cabin fever creations.
International Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 7 p.m. | Overture Center | Free | Celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community with free performances, tasty cuisines, and stunning arts and crafts from around the world.

Sunday, April 2

Polish Heritage Club Spring Festival | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 4913 Schofield St., Monona | Free | All are welcome to enjoy a traditional Polish lunch, a local polka band, amber jewelry, and Boleslawiec pottery.

Monday, April 3

Brewers Opening Day Bus | Monday, Apr. 3 | 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. | The Lone Girl Brewing Company, 14 E. Main St., Waunakee | $30 | Lone Girl will be running a bus to and from American Family Field, with an estimated departure of 9:30 a.m., and return of 6:30 p.m.
NilexNile | Monday, Apr. 3 | 7 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $10-$15 | Catch a show of this alternative hip-hop group’s Nostalgia Tour.

Tuesday, April 4

Forward Madison FC vs. Chicago House AC | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 6 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison | $18-$43 | Cheer on the Mingos in their first home match of the year and the second round of the US Open Cup.*

Plan ahead with our community events calendar.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

62° | Strong storms | 98% chance of rain
Severe weather is making its way to the 608 today from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes are all possible. (NBC 15)

Civic

Today is the last day to register to vote before Election Day on Tuesday, April 4. You will still be able to register at your polling place on Election Day, but registration is closed this Saturday, April 1-Monday, April 3.

Traffic

South Livingston Street will be closed at East Washington Avenue for two months starting this Monday, March 27. Learn more about this and other closures due to the city’s ongoing Bus Rapid Transit project at the public information meeting on Thursday, April 6.

Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Chicago Cubs 0-4 last night. The teams will play again on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at 1:20 p.m. each day. The Brewers’ first home game of the season is on Monday, April 3 against the New York Mets.

Cause

The International Crane Foundation is seeking volunteers to help complete the annual crane census. Participants will travel to their local wetlands and favorite birding locations to collect crane data. Those interested must contact their county’s crane coordinator to learn more. (WPR)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Travel and Outdoors

⚙️ A city geared toward biking

How much of your day can you spend on a bike in Madison?

A two way, narrow bike lane with bicycle symbols and arrows indicating directions.

It’s time to put the pedal to the metal. | Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels

Madison scored 66 out of 100 on Walk Score’s bikeability meter, deeming it a “somewhat bikeable” city. Our score is determined by four components: bike lanes, hills, destinations and connectivity, and bicycle mode share.

Bike lanes

Walk Score rates this category on the total length of bike paths and lanes. Learn more about bike lanes or plan a bike commute.

Hill score

Hilliness is based on the steepest grade within our area, calculated using the National Elevation Data set from the United States Geological Survey (USGC). Play with the USGS’ interactive map to learn more about nearby topography.

Destinations and connectivity

This uses our city’s Walk Score, which measures whether or not you need a car to run daily errands.
This category takes into account the social nature of bicycling. There’s safety in numbers. Even if a city doesn’t have tons of infrastructure for cyclists, more cyclists mean more drivers are aware of bicycles — which makes roadways safer.

Shoutout

Shoutout to my fiancé. You brighten up my world more than you’ll ever know. I love you today and always. — Lee H.

This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our 608today membership program yet. We can change that. — 608today team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Madison. Become a 608today member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.

Become a member, get benefits

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Ally

From the Editor

I’ll be hitting up the International Festival at the Overture Center this weekend. I’m most excited about the food and craft vendors, I’ll have to go on an empty stomach because there are too many good food options to choose from. Feel free to follow us on Instagram where I’ll be posting about the festivities.

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