05.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

72º | 80% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:28 a.m. | Sunset 8:20 p.m.

🚲 Off the (bicycle) chain

Trekking over to Trek headquarters in Waterloo

Exterior of Trek Bicycle Corporation headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin.jpg

Trek Bicycle Corporation started in 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin. | Photo by 608today

It’s National Bike Month, but in the 608, that’s every month. Madison is consistently listed as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country and was recently recertified as a platinum-level bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.

On top of that, the headquarters of one of the most iconic bicycle brands in the world — Trek Bicycle Corporation — is just a bike ride away.

Wheeling over to Waterloo

Driving through Waterloo (population 3,000), you may not guess that it’s home to the world headquarters of a $1 billion company employing upwards of 1,800 people globally. But that’s where Trek was born, grew, and continues to grow.

It was at a supper club in 1975 that Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg decided to start manufacturing bicycles together. By the following spring, with five employees, they set to work in a red barn (still red, and still there).

A red barn near a train track that was the birth of Trek Bicycles.jpg — This former carpet warehouse was the birthplace of Trek Bicycle Corporation. | Photo by 608today

Growing to global success

Business blossomed as sales approached $2 million by 1979. In 1981, the company was in need of a new facility and moved to its current location to 801 W. Madison St.

Building a wide variety of bicycles and gear, Trek has become coveted the world over. Today, the 200,000-sqft facility is abuzz with a wide array of activity, from research and development to painting frames, assembly, and kinetic research.

Hallway at Trek Headquarters with bicycles.jpg — Lance Armstrong won his first Tour de France aboard a Trek bicycle. | Photo by 608today

Staying local

Continuing to be a global leader, Trek bicycles will be used during the Paris Olympics this summer by some of the world’s best athletes, all the while staying true to its Wisconsin roots.

Want to learn more? You can:

Tour the headquarters on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Ride in the Trek 100, a bike ride raising funds for childhood cancer research, that will take place in Waterloo on Saturday, June 8.
Visit Trek’s retail stores on the east or west side.

Asked

How far do you typically go on a bike ride?

A. 0-5 miles
B. 5-15 miles
C. 15-50 miles
D. 50+ miles

Pop a wheelie

Events

Monday, May 20

Cooking with Chef Dan: Pizza | Monday, May 20 | 6 p.m. | A Pig in a Fur Coat, 940 Williamson St., Madison | $95 | Join Chef Dan Bonanno for a hands-on cooking class in the kitchen of A Pig in a Fur Coat.
Monday Night Arboretum Run | Monday, May 20 | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | Run six 10-minute miles along the Arboretum loop with turnaround options for a shorter run.

Tuesday, May 21

Clean Lakes 101 | Tuesday, May 21 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | The Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Pl., Madison | Free | Learn about the health of our iconic five Yahara lakes during this panel discussion put on by the Clean Lakes Alliance.
Stephane Wrembel Quartet | Tuesday, May 21 | 8-11 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St., Madison | $25-$30 | Specializing in the style of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, Wrembel plays as part of the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest.

Wednesday, May 22

Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening | Wednesday, May 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Black Business Hub, 2352 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Chamber with music, food, and speakers.

Thursday, May 23

Full Moon Paddle | Thursday, May 23 | 8-10 p.m. | Wingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St., Madison | $8-$65 | Paddle out onto Lake Wingra to bask in the moonlight, and eat some s’mores while you’re at it.
“Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully” | Thursday, May 23-Saturday, May 25 | Times vary | Bartell Theatre, 113 Mifflin St., Madison | $20-$25 | In this play, things go awry for Katrina Lyons when she visits her parents and an alien invasion occurs.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Lace up your boots. More than 60 Wisconsin State Parks will waive fees for admission, fishing licenses, and trail passes on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday June 2 as part of its annual Free Fun Weekend.

Announced

If listening to Chicago is a hard habit to break, you’re in luck. The legendary band will perform at the Overture Center for the Arts on Sunday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Civic

The City of Madison’s yard waste curbside collection season is over. Eligible materials, like grass clippings and leaves, should now be taken to one of the Streets Division’s drop-off sites.

Sports

Aaron Moore is the new head coach for the Madison Night Mares softball team. He fills the spot left by Raquel Savoy, who resigned from the team. Moore recently served as assistant coach at Trinity Christian College.

Active

Ever play futsal? It’s like soccer, but on a hard compact court. A new court is available at Penn Park. The city, partnering with Forward Madison FC, plans to build four more in the coming years. (Channel 3000)

Civic

Jamie Kuhn, former Wisconsin Medicaid director, is the interim Dane County executive after the retirement of Joe Parisi earlier this month. She will lead the county until voters decide on a permanent replacement in November’s election. (Cap Times)

Madisonian

Singapore’s new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, is a 1994 graduate of UW-Madison. The Badger alum received his undergraduate degree in economics. He’s the fourth leader of the country since its 1965 independence. (US News and World Report)

Edu

Local high school students interested in civil service can apply (by Friday, June 28) to be a cohort of the Dane County Youth Governance Program. Participants will engage in county government decision making, offering their perspectives.

Civic

🐐 GOAT goats

Madisonian goats are now being deployed

A closeup of a white goat in some sparse shrubbery.jpeg

Goats are effective in land management, eating invasive species. | Photo via Madison Parks Division

Who let the goats out? (Who, who, who, who, who?) The City of Madison Parks Division, that’s who. Back for their sixth season this summer, goats are being utilized for prescribed grazing in several of Madison’s city parks.

Why goats?

They’re effective at controlling invasive plant species like honeysuckle, buckthorn, and other brush that shades out native grasses and wildflowers. They also allow the city to cut back on mowing and herbicides.

When and where?

Though there is no set schedule for the goats, they typically graze in one- or two-week stints. This summer, the flocks will be at the following parks:

Acewood
Cherokee Marsh
Door Creek
Edna Taylor
Elver
Prairie Ridge
Turville Point

View the map for specific targeted grazing locations.

Care to help?

Volunteers check on the goats, refill their drinking water, and inspect the fencing. Call 608-267-4918 to learn more.

The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

An excellent summer hydration bottle: Hydro Flask’s 32-oz. stainless bottle with a flex straw lid. Color “Sugar Crush” is only available for a limited time, and it’s so cute and summery, we’ve got all the heart eyes for it.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

I need to get back in the saddle and start riding again. There are bike trails most everywhere. Being a bit of an oddball, maybe I’ll try them via unicycle.

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