GadgetGirlIL

I'm finally starting to think again about doing a bikepacking tour in Wisconsin. I had hoped to do one in 2020, but the pandemic changed everything. One of my friends has put together a series of RUSA permanents that are mostly on bike trails that go from one side of the state to the other with a loop around the Madison area. I'm intrigued by the idea of riding some or all of them over a series of days staying in motels overnight.

I'm looking for suggestions on where I could park my car for 6-8 days. I thought about the Dane county airport - economy parking appears to be $6/day but I wasn't sure about the logistics of riding a bike out of the airport. Tourist in MSN do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

debade

We have called Warm Shower hosts that had extra space or street parking in front of their house (It would be easier if you are a Warm Showers host and not just a user), churches/Synagogue/other especially if their busy attendance day is not part of your timing, and on street parking if not restricted. In small towns, we have called the police for recommendations but I do not think that would work well in Madison but it might.

While I have not been to the Dane County airport, I would not be surprised if it was an easy ride. Madison is a great biking city.

GadgetGirlIL

debade Apparently living in the Chicago metropolitan area my entire life has convinced me that ALL airports are in messy traffic areas (O'Hare especially). But I just looked closely at the Dane County airport in RWGPS and I can see easy access to bike lanes to make my way to my route. It has been a while since I've ridden around Madison - I forgot how bike friendly it is!

cyccommute 

I parked there for about 3 weeks last year. Easy to get to and from on a bicycle and relatively inexpensive. Don’t try to come in from the north side to avoid the (perceived) traffic on the east side however. That’s a much harder route

Tourist in MSN

For 6 to 8 days, I think you need to park at my condo. I will send you a private message. My condo is a lot cheaper ($zero) than the airport.

staehpj1

I have ridden into or out of a number of major airports and never found it that bad, but typically there are other options than riding to get away from airports if you need them. These include airport shuttles, light rail, and so on. Sounds like you got a better offer, but for future reference airports typically work out okay for the purpose.

I also find airports good places to use as endpoints to rent cars one way to and from. I have never been denied a one way rental or hit with a big one way fee when prebooking a car airport to airport. Walking up to the counter has not yielded the same result. Even if I am in the terminal I book online before I walk up to the terminal. Too many times walking up to a counter resultis in a "sorry, we have no cars that we can let go out one way"

GadgetGirlIL

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice! I need to get through the summer semester before I can actually escape to Wisconsin but now I can start making some plans.

staehpj1

Folks from the forums can be helpful. I have had quite a few offer help including advice, logistic support, and hospitality and I have done the same for others.