Prepping for spring and summer - Where to go for a bike ride? (Milwaukee: military)

[escapetacoma]

Trails are OK but roads that don't carry a lot of traffic are fine as well. Pavement prefered - crushed rock trails are a poor substitute but if the destination is interesting enough we'll do it.

We'll probably spend a good portion of this season getting back into shape and riding locally but we're also looking for some interesting/scenic/fun areas within 2 or 3 hours of Waupun.

[ekg56]

I know the Elroy Sparta trail is a really nice trail.

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by ekg56

I know the Elroy Sparta trail is a really nice trail.

So we've heard. I'm sure we'll give it a go, along with some of the other trails.

It's pretty strange coming from Washington to see that we're supposed to pay a day fee (or buy a year pass) per person for riding the trail. OTOH, while Washington has a fair number of trails they're mostly under local jurisdiction. Hopefully some of the state trails here are fully paved.

BTW, if any of you find yourselves out west with a bicycle I highly recommend The Trail of the Coeur D'Alenes! The bridge shown here URL="http://friendsofcdatrails.org/april04.html"]http://friendsofcdatrails.org/april04.html[/url] is pretty wild - we actually worried a bit about bottoming out the tandem on those terraces but it didn't turn out to be an issue. That was good because we'd already ridden a long ways and I'd have hated to have to walk that bridge

[ekg56]

Badger State Trail is new but I heard it is really nice too. I think it starts by Madison and goes down to the IL border. The tunnel is suppose to be really cool. We were talking about driving down and biking it. It goes through New Glarus which I love.

[KateDaum]

We are looking forward to checking out the many bike trails in WI this summer. We heard Elroy Sparta is great. I want to check out the Badger State Trail too. My neighbor loved it. We are heard Tuscobia that goes through the Flambeau is nice. That is a little closer to us so pretty far from Waupun.

[susancruzs]

Come over our way to Two Rivers/Manitowoc! The Point Beach State Forest does not require a sticker to ride your bike. I bought my 2008 state park sticker the other day and inquired about the trail pass. They told me I do not need one for the Rawley Point Trail. It is about 5 miles and goes from Two Rivers to the Point Beach State Forest. Of course you do need a sticker for your vehicle to drive into the state forest.

You can also ride in the other direction the Mariners paved path all along Lake Michigan from Two Rivers to Manitowoc which is 7 miles or so. Both trails are marked and they say they are linked. I would say linked rather loosely. The Mariner trail is awesome, a great view of the lake all the way.

[gallon]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

Trails are OK but roads that don't carry a lot of traffic are fine as well. Pavement prefered - crushed rock trails are a poor substitute but if the destination is interesting enough we'll do it.

We'll probably spend a good portion of this season getting back into shape and riding locally but we're also looking for some interesting/scenic/fun areas within 2 or 3 hours of Waupun.

Hey Escape,

Madison has extensive paved bike trails. You can get all over the town by bike. As for permits, I believe that a single statewide annual pass is available. Can anyone else verify that? It's something like a state park annual pass, or a national park annual.

hope that helps

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

There's an 80 mile paved bike loop encircling the city of Milwaukee. Called Oak Leaf Bike Trail. I ride it all the time, and most of it carries you along nice parkways. My personal favorite parts are the entire eastern half of the circle which takes you right along the shores of Lake Michigan. The southwestern and western segments of the trail are nice as well.

The circle is bisected by a new bike path that carries you from the west side/Wauwatosa right into Downtown Milwaukee. It's called the Hank Aaron State Trail and it's a beautiful path, although a lot less parklike and more urban than the others.

Some of my other favorite paths in the metro area include the New Berlin Trail and the Ozaukee Interurban trail. Both are paved.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Originally Posted by gallon

Hey Escape,

Madison has extensive paved bike trails. You can get all over the town by bike. As for permits, I believe that a single statewide annual pass is available. Can anyone else verify that? It's something like a state park annual pass, or a national park annual.

hope that helps

Yes, you can get state bike passes for the whole season. None of the paths in Milwaukee metro require a pass, however, and I don't think the Madison paths require one also.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

My personal favorite non-paved trail in the State is the Military Ridge Trail, which runs 40 miles from Verona to Dodgeville. Trail conditions are usually superb. Of all the times I've ridden it (at least a dozen) I've rarely encountered any traffic out there. It's a nice, open ride with some stunning views, interesting little towns and a connection to Blue Mounds state park. Requires a trail pass.