Wisconsin Bicycle Tours, Routes And Trails

By Freida McCall


By any standards, including those of the League of American Bicyclists, Wisconsin bicycle tours offer the best bicycling experience and destinations in the nation. There's something in it for everyone, from adventurous thrills up in the Northwoods to the serene Great Lakes beauty of Door County Peninsula and Green Bay. Consider the tours, routes and trails outlined below, and pick one based on preferences and physical capacity.

Broadly speaking, there are three main choices for the intrepid bicyclist in the Badger State. An intriguing option is the Northwoods, an outdoor paradise spanning five counties and filled with huge forests, thousands of lakes and delightful small towns. The trails here run through amazing scenery, and there's no dearth of places to take a break, do some fishing and camp out if need be.

A very attractive route for bicycling groups to follow the Wisconsin River as it snakes its way through the state's central region. This route is easy and long, and ideal for tourists and ordinary bicyclists who want to explore the destinations in the region while having some fun as a group. The most scenic and popular sections can be found in the rural area around Wisconsin Rapids, and all the way from there to Baraboo.

A lakeshore ride along Lake Michigan is quite popular among tourists. This trip can start from as far away as Sheboygan. Tear along the lakeshore right up to Sturgeon Bay. Turn around at this point and continue the ride on the other side of Door County Peninsula before ending up in Green Bay.

These are all good choices, but require a week or so to complete. Of course, it's not an endurance test because each tour sets its own pace based on the physical abilities of the participants. There's no rush, and the primary aim is to enjoy the bicycling and the pleasures of the journey just as much as the destinations along the way.

There are easier options which do not require so much time and dedication. As an example, consider one of the shorter routes from the 80 trails that are included in the state-operated rails-to-trails system. These are all trails which follow railway tracks that are now abandoned. The most popular and arguably the most scenic trail in this system is the Elroy-Sparta Trail, about an hour from Baraboo. Riders will go through 32 miles of spectacular rural scenery with three tunnels adding to the unique experience.

Architecture fans may enjoy a Frank Lloyd Wright bicycle tour in and around his hometown of Taliesin and nearby Spring Green. Civil War buffs will likewise be thrilled by the Milton tour which follows a secret tunnel from the Milton House stagecoach inn to a log cabin. This route was part of an underground network used by slaves trying to escape to Canada.

Luxury Wisconsin bicycle tours can be booked to include a stay in a nice resort while heading out for daily forays to explore nearby trails. The tour company provides the bikes and picks up guests in groups at the hotel, takes them out for a full-day bicycling expedition, and deposits them back at the hotel in the evening. It's a great way to spend time in the outdoors in Wisconsin without losing touch with civilization and the comforts of home.




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