Looking to go cycling in Wisconsin?
A group of five friends and I wanted to try some of the Wisconsin Bike Tours.
I decided to join the annual SAGBRAW bike tour in Wisconsin, but before the trip, my friends and I decided to check out some of the other Wisconsin Bike Rides, as there are miles of trails in the state, many rail trails.
1. Capital City State Trail
We were staying at the Capital Springs Campground near Madison, and the Capital City State Trail went right through the campground. What I like is that you get country and city riding.
The Capital City Trail is a 17-mile-long paved trail that runs through the heart of Madison, offering stunning views of the city and passing through several vibrant neighborhoods. The 12-mile Monona Bay area includes a bike elevator that takes you up to the level of the state capital building. As a visitor to the state, we took a quick tour of the building and found it fascinating.
The trail begins in the west at the intersection of the Military Ridge State Trail and the Southwest Commuter Path and continues eastward to the intersection of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail and the East Branch Trail.
2. Military Ridge State Trail
The Military Ridge State Trail is a 40-mile-long bike ride that stretches from Dodgeville to Fitchburg. The trail is built on a former military road and railroad line and offers a unique and scenic experience for cyclists of all levels as it gradually climbs.
Some of the state trails permit horseback riding, and we did see some at the first section of the ride.
The trail passes through several small towns, including Ridgeway, Barneveld, and Mount Horeb, where cyclists can stop and explore local shops and restaurants. The trail also features several historic markers and interpretive signs, providing insight into the history of the region.
3. Chippewa River State Trail
The Chippewa River State Trail is a 30-mile-long cycling trail that follows the Chippewa River in western Wisconsin. The trail is built on a former railroad line that passes through several small towns, including Durand, Eau Claire, and Caryville.
Along the way, cyclists will encounter beautiful views of the Chippewa River features, which include several picnic areas and rest stops, making it a great place for a relaxing afternoon ride.
4. La Crosse River State Trail
The La Crosse River State Trail is a 21.5-mile-long route, another in the Wisconsin State Park system, and runs through western Wisconsin from the Mississippi town of La Crosse to where it connects with the Elroy-Sparta Trail. The trail is built on a former railroad line of the Chicago and North Western Railway, built between St. Paul and Chicago in the 1870s.
5. Elroy-Sparta State Trail
The Elroy-Sparta Trail is a 32-mile rail trail, one of the most popular cycling routes in the Midwest region, attracting thousands of visitors each year. This was the first rails-to-trails in the United States.
Along the way, cyclists will encounter three historic railroad tunnels, each over a quarter of a mile long, and two of which were constructed back in the late 1800s. which provides scenic beauty and a unique and exhilarating experience. The tunnels are well-lit and have a smooth surface, making them safe for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
One of the best rides on the trail is open year-round and provides cyclists with direct access to some incredible attractions, such as La Crosse River State Trail, Oakdale Nature Preserve, and a variety of small towns. There are also several campgrounds located within close proximity to the trail for those looking for an extended stay.
6. Badger State Trail
The Badger State Trail is a 40-mile-long cycling rail trail that runs through the rolling hills and picturesque countryside of southern Wisconsin. The trail starts on the Illinois-Wisconsin state line and ends in Madison. This is an area well-known for its cheese markets.
7. Fox River State Trail
The Fox River Bike Trail is a 25-mile-long bike path that runs along the Fox River in eastern Wisconsin. The trail starts in the city of Green Bay (home of the Green Bay Packers) and runs southward through several small towns, including De Pere, Wrightstown, and Kaukauna, before ending in the city of Appleton. The trail passes through several historic sites, including the Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay and the Locktender’s House in Kaukauna.
The Fox River Bike Trail offers a smooth and well-maintained surface, making it suitable for all types of bicycles.
8. Mountain-Bay State Trail
A short distance north of the Fox River Trail, the Mountain-Bay State Trail is 83 miles long along a former railway line that runs from Weston to Green Bay, one of the longest trails in the state. These bike-friendly trails also feature several historic sites, including the historic train depot in Weston and the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay.
9. Gandy Dancer State Trail
The Gandy Dancer State Trail is a 98-mile-long former rail corridor that runs through the scenic Northern Wisconsin region. The trail also features several historic sites, including the restored train depot in St. Croix Falls and the Danbury Historical Museum. This trail takes riders through some of Wisconsin’s most picturesque landscapes as it connects St. Croix Falls and Lake Superior.
10. Glacial Drumlin State Trail
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is a 52-mile-long rail trail that runs through the beautiful countryside of southeastern Wisconsin. The Glacial Drumlin State Trail passes through several small towns, including Cottage Grove, Deerfield, and Lake Mills. Along the way, cyclists will encounter beautiful views of rolling hills, farmland, and glacial drumlins (elongated hills formed by glaciers). The trail also features several historic sites, including the 1884 train depot in Cottage Grove and the Lake Mills Railroad Depot Museum.
11. Great River State Trail
The Great River State Trail is part of the Mississippi River Trail, and it’s a mix of low-traffic rural roads, dedicated bike lanes, and riverfront trails for over 60 miles. Also known as the Great River Road.
Note: for all the above cycling paths, trail users require a state trail pass if on a bicycle in the state of Wisconsin, although not if hiking or walking the trail system. Click on the link for all the rules and conditions.
12. SAGBRAW Cycling Tour
This is a great way to see the state as several itineraries are offered and they change every year. Very organized, you don’t have to be concerned about the route (it is signed), accommodation, or meals.
My first surprise was that some came from 32 American states and others from 3 Canadian provinces. There were families with children (age 8 and older) and seniors (the oldest was age 87), with an average age of 53, almost evenly split between men and women.
Beaver Dam Break
Operated by Bike Wisconsin, the route changes each year, and this year we were starting out from Columbus, located near the capital of Madison, and heading north through farm country while cycling into the area just south of Green Bay (some years the route does go into Green Bay). The distance varied from 327 to 367 miles depending on the route on whether you rode the short or longer option each day.
Waupun
Most of the group set up their own tents on the grounds of local schools, which had been reserved for us; some set up another option, which was gym floors, and still others took the option where rented tents were set up for them. The benefit of this option was that you had a large tent, camp chairs, and fresh towels at each stop, ready and waiting when you arrived.
Like a lot of bicycle tours of this type, there was a meal plan with very generous portions and excellent food for breakfast and lunch. Cyclists are a hungry lot, and if you arrived for breakfast at 6 a.m., you would be way back in the line. They also made sure the menus varied at each stop. Lunches were on our own, with some stopping at restaurants, some taking sandwiches, and in other situations, some of the towns along the route had food for sale.
Around 5 a.m. every morning, there was movement in the campground as people started taking down their tents. As I headed for breakfast at 5:45 a.m., others were already starting down the county roads for a very early start for our Wisconsin cycling or to a local restaurant if they had not purchased the meal plan (a big mistake in my opinion).
My cycling friends and I started out around 7:30 a.m. after loading our luggage on the trucks, and most of the others were long gone. The SAGBRAW route takes you over quiet gently rolling country roads on a farmland bicycle tour. What I was to see over the next week was cows and corn daily.
What I like about this style of touring is that you set your own pace, just following the yellow signs that the organizers had set up the previous evening or the numerous other cyclists. Although we were given maps, I rarely needed to take a glance. Along the way, you pass farm fields, scenic meadows, and small villages.
About every 15 to 20 miles, there was a water stop where local organizations sold pieces of watermelon, corn on the cob, and bratwurst for charity causes. At right is our break stop at a town called Beaver Dam. We were stopping at 10 a.m. for a bratwurst, but it was good. Some of the towns, such as Beaver Dam, even provided musical entertainment during our short breaks.
In Reedsville, they had us cycling down the main street with flags everywhere before arriving at a church where local clubs sold snacks and souvenirs.
Suitable for different skill levels, as each day we cycled from 41 to 66 miles, usually arriving around 1 p.m. in each of the small towns where we stayed. Every town laid on transportation to downtown (usually meaning a local pub) and evening entertainment, including live music for us and the local citizens as well. There was one stage that was on a bicycle path along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Well, now we are finished, and I have filled my cooler with Wisconsin cheese for the drive home. Get a copy of Backroad Bicycling in Wisconsin: 28 Scenic Tours through Lakes, Forests, and Glacier-Carved Countryside for other Wisconsin bicycle touring routes.
FAQs: Wisconsin Bike Rides
What is the longest bike trail in Wisconsin?
The Mountain-Bay State Rail Trail, at 83 miles, is the longest in the state and goes from Weston to Green Bay. The Gandy Dancer State Trail in northern Wisconsin is actually longer, but includes a section in neighboring Minnesota.
Is Wisconsin bike-friendly?
With numerous State Trails suitable for cycling and quiet roads in the countryside, Wisconsin is very bike-friendly. Bike Wisconsin offers a number of bicycle tours every year over different routes. Neighboring Wyoming ranks as the nation’s least-friendly state for bicyclists.
What cities in Wisconsin are bike-friendly?
The capital city of Madison, in particular, along with Milwaukee, La Crosse, and Wausau, is considered bike-friendly.
Do you require a permit to cycle on the Wisconsin State Trails?
A state trail pass of $5 daily or $25 annually (2023 rates) is required for all people age 16 or older cycling on certain trails, whether a resident or visitor. A state trail pass is not required for walking or hiking. State trail passes can be purchased at individual properties via drive-up window service, electronic sales kiosks, or self-registration stations.
Final Thoughts: Wisconsin Bike Rides
Click US Bicycle Touring Routes for other ideas.
On this farmland bicycle tour, it was all corn, cows, and cheese, but I loved my first visit to Wisconsin (the state name means the gathering of the waters). This style of cycle vacation makes planning easy.
