When do I need to finish the entire trail?
What does it cost to become a Trail Explorer?
What ages are eligible to become a Trail Explorer?
Can I count the miles I rode last year?
If I pull a child in a trailer, can the child earn a patch?
How do you know I actually explored the entire trail?
How long will it take to ride the entire trail?
When did the Trail Explorers program start?
If I also become a Trail Explorer next year, will I get the same patch?
When the Badger Trail segment to Madison is completed will the scope and mileage of the Trail Explorers program change?
Can I complete the Trail Explorers requirements hiking instead of biking?
Is there a shuttle service to pick me and my bike up so I can ride one way?

When do I need to finish the entire trail?
Explore the Badger Trail, Sugar River, and Jane Addams Trails in one day or over a year's time, from Dec. 1 to Nov. 15 the following year. We will celebrate and recognize all who achieved Trail Explorer status at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Badger Trail in November. We invite you to explore these trails each year and collect patches.

What does it cost to become a Trail Explorer?
The only charge is the patch fee, which is currently $8.00. Other expenses for the program are being covered by our sponsors.

What ages are eligible to become a Trail Explorer?
If you can ride a bike, you can become a Trail Explorer. We especially encourage children and youth to take up the challenge and experience the beauty of the trails in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

Can I count the miles I rode last year?
No. You must ride the entire trail in the current year to receive this year's Trail Explorer patch.

If I pull a child in a trailer, can the child earn a patch?
Yes, both you and the child are eligible for a patch.

How do you know I actually explored the entire trail?
Although we do require you to answer some scavenber hunt questions where the answers can only be obtained by being there to help you plan your trip and prove that you were there, you are still basically on the honor system.

How long will it take to ride the entire trail?
It will take most people 7-10 hours of bicycling over a year's time, less than 1 hour a month. For most people of average fitness this is an entirely achievable objective.

When did the Trail Explorers program start?
The Badger Trail had it's official grand opening in 2007 and the Trail Explorers program was launched in 2008.

If I also become a Trail Explorer next year, will I get the same patch?
The patch has the year on it, so although it may be the same design, you'll want to ride the trail each year to collect each year's patch. Scavenger hunt questions will change every year.

When the Badger Trail segment to Madison is completed will the scope and mileage of the Trail Explorers program change?
The Trail Explorer committee will evaluate whether to expand the program to include other connected trails in the future.

Can I complete the Trail Explorers requirements hiking instead of biking?
Yes, any non-motorized form of transportation may be used to complete the program requirements.

Is there a shuttle service to pick me and my bike up so I can ride one way?
The Bike Green County program offers a luggage shuttle service provided by B&Bs and Hotels in the program in conjunction with an overnight stay. If you are not interested in an overnight stay we recommend that you pace your trips so that you can bike back to the location you started on that day.