| > We are planning a trip to Wisconsin on September 6, 7, 8, and 9. We
> would like to ride about 50 to 60 miles per day. We plan to camp each
> evening, preferably in state owned parks.
> Anyone have any favorite routes they could recommend? Any and all help
OH, BOY, finally somebody I can help!
I have a book called Best Wisconsin Bike Trips, that has 30 of the best
one-day tours that Phil Van Valkenberg could find. I've been on
several of the western and southwestern rides (although nowhere NEAR
all) and have enjoyed them a lot.
I'm making the assumption that by Southwest you are approximately West
of Madison and South of La Crosse. In that area there are several very
nice state trails. All are well maintained, run on old abandoned
railbeds, and have a crushed limestone surface. They are easy riding
for road bikes and have very easy train-grade (1-5%) hills. There are
also many very nice loops on county roads.
1. New Glarus/Sugar River Trail runs ~23 miles from Brodhead to New
Glarus - Brodhead is straight south of Madison and just north of the
Iowa border. I haven't been on this trail yet, but according to the
writeup - At New glarus you can take a ~20 mile loop on county roads
with some climbs that runs north and has some nice views of the
Wisconsin countryside. At either end, there are hotels that set an
excellent table - in New Glarus the New Glarus Hotel, and in Brodhead
the "old hotel". Camping is at Albany about midway on the trail or at
New Glarus Woods State Park. For information call the Sugar River
Trail at (608)527-2334
From New glarus you are only about 15 miles from the Military Ridge
State Trail.
2. Military Ridge State Trail runs 39 miles from Verona, just west of
Madison, to Dodgeville. It runs along the top of Military Ridge and
through the Sugar River valley. If you like exploring there is the
Cave of the Mounds very close to the trail. If you like climbing
hills, the county roads offer a succession of 400 foot climbs so you
can make the ride a loop - down the trail one-way and back on the
county roads.
There are two state parks for camping adjacent to the trail - Blue
Mound state park in Blue Mounds, and Governor Dodge State Park in
Dodgeville. Both take advanced reservations. You can get more
information by calling the Military Ridge State Trail at (608)
935-2315. BTW: If you get the chance, stop at gobles Bakery and Cafe
in Mount Horeb for the excellent macaroons (the OFFICIAL carbohydrate
of the trail!).
3. Immediately north of the Governor Dodge State Park is the loop
through the Jones Valley. This is the valley where Frank Lloyd Wright
spent summers and the valley is a showcase of his work. The Taliesin
Fellowship gives tours through the studios at Hillside School. There
are several loops you can take that range from 22 flat miles up through
50+ with some hills. If possible, don't miss Percussion Rock for a
magnificent view of the valley (vigorous climb required) or the "House
on the Rock" which is a complex of amusements, museums, and shops in
the middle of the valley. Governor Dodge State Park is a good choice
for camping or in Spring Green at Tower Hill State Park.
4. Elroy/Sparta State Trail - If you don't mind heading as far north
as La Crosse this trail is absolutely GREAT. It runs through 31 miles
of railbed, and goes through three train tunnels. Bring a flashlight
and maybe a jacket. The trail is excellent and gives some wonderful
views of Wisconsin valleys and farms that look like something right off
a postcard. At the cafe right on the trail in Norwalk we had GREAT
burgers. This trail is very nice riding. You can camp right next the
the trail at the Tunnel Trail campground or stay at Wildcat Mountain
State park. For more information call the Elroy-Sparta National Trail
(608)463-7100.
5. If you don't mind traveling a little ways west into Minnesota
(maybe an hour and a half from Sparta), you have the chance to ride one
of the NICEST trails in the area. The Root River State Trail runs from
Rushford MN in the east to Fountain. It is PAVED and goes through some
very nice Minnesota country. Toward the west on the trail you'll pass
through Lanesboro where you HAVe to go to Das Wurst House for homemade
brats and homemade root beer. Both are EXCELLENT, and the owner plays
the concertina while his son plays the tube when they aren't filling
orders.
On all the state trails, there are lots of towns along the way that
cater to bicyclists with food, water, ICE CREAM, and are very friendly
to grimy, smelly, people in lycra! They even ENCOURAGE you to keep
your bike in your room.
There are several other well-regarded rides in the southwest of
Wisconsin. If you have any questions or want more information you can
send me mail at NCCODE::PEREZ or even call me at (612)736-5572 (they
periodically interrupt my noting by making me go to meetings or even do
work, but I try!
David Perez
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