justcynn

Hello from Arkansas, we are taking a mini vacation spending some time in Milwaukee, Madison and Wisconsin Dells Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

My son is a big Bucks fan so taking in two playoff games- staying close to Fiserv, doing a UW-Madison College visit Friday afternoon and seeing my wife's Grandma in Wisc Dells. Hoping to get a couple 20-30 mile rides in.

I know there are many great places to ride in Wisconsin, but what do you locals recommend?

I plan to ride the '87 Trek 520 . thanks! (and sorry if this is in the wrong spot)

roadsnakes

When you`re in Milwaukee, hop on the Oak Leaf Trail at South Shore Park, and take it all the way to the beach at Grant Park and back. (or the other way .........starting at Grant Park)
Best time to start the ride would be about 30 minutes Before sunrise. I`ve ridden this stretch hundreds of times over the past decades, and sunrise is the time to do it!
While you`re in Grant Park, check out Seven Bridges.









When you`re near The Dells, do a loop around Devils Lake State Park.

Take South Shore Road to Park Road, then North Shore Road.

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'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNQrZkIaIwQ


Can`t help much with Madison. Motorcycled around and through it, but never on Bicycle. But, Madison is sure a Bicycle Friendly city.

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Good Luck, Ride Safe.


This is at Grant Park Beach.
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This is South Shore Park
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dedhed

In MKE the Oak Leaf, Hank Aaron will connect you with lots of riding on other trails like the Interurban, New Berlin to Glacial Drumlin. Also bugline is nice.
https://www.hankaaronstatetrail.org/maps
​​​​​​https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Park...Oak-Leaf-Trail
​​​​​​https://www.interurbantrail.com/
​​​​​​https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/globa..._newberlin.pdf
​​​​​​https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/glacialdrumlin
​​​​​​https://www.menomonee-falls.org/1168/Bugline-Trail

Madison is full of trails
https://www.cityofmadison.com/bikema...criptions.html
When doing conferences in the Dells I've driven down and ridden the 400 trail
​​​​​​400 State Trail - Reedsburg to Elroy
https://www.traillink.com/city/wisco...lls-wi-trails/

Technically you need a WI trail pass for state trails except for the Hank Aaron.
Only time I've ever been stopped was in Minocqua on a holiday weekend on the bear skin trail.

​​​​​​https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/park...sion/trailpass

roadsnakes

When you`re in The Dells you have to have Breakfast at Paul Bunyan`s Cook Shanty.

But get there early, right when they open, or you`re in for a wait.
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If the wait is too long, go to The Log Cabin in Baraboo, WI. It`s about 5 minutes from Devils Lake.
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madpogue 

Link fix:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/bikema...antrip/map.cfm
https://www.friendsofmilitaryridgetra...criptions.html

Indoor options, in case it's wet or oppresively hot - Budget Bicycle Center's used showroom quasi-museum on Regent Street in Madison, and Yellow Jersey in Arlington.

roadsnakes

When you`re not Biking, The Milwaukee Public Museum is always fun.
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And even if you`re only remotely interested in motorcycles, The Harley Davidson Museum is worth the look..

dedhed

I'd add South Shore Cyclery in Cudahy has a museum and is not far from the OAk Leaf in MKE
https://www.southshorecyclery.com/ab...nsin-pg583.htm

dedhed

If you're into that sort of thing there may be some racing going on as well, depending on dates.
​​​​​​https://www.tourofamericasdairyland.com/schedule/


If you had good timing there's also FTTM - Bike & beer.
​​​​​​https://www.fattiretour.com/milwaukee2021/

justcynn

thank you all! Will def check out the oak leaf trail, half hour before sunrise would be like 4:30 AM this time of year, I'll prob do it anyway, your pics look amazing!

We are vacationing in Door County at the end of July and then heading to Eau Claire from there (where my wife is from).

My son is a big Green Bay fan, planning to take him to Lambeau in late October as well. Hoping to do some leaf riding that weekend.

So whatever I miss this trip, will try to hit then.

And I love Paul Bunyuns, but not sure I can ride enough miles to burn off those Sugar Donuts and Pancakes though. We move to Arkansas 10 years ago, before that - we lived in Iowa and often took our kids to the Dells to see their Great Grandma, camp and hang out at the waterparks, etc.

The return to biking is more recent and excited to experience Wisconsin from that perspective

thanks Again!

tendency

Just so happens I live in Madison. Are you looking for trails, road or either or? You want hills? Or, do you just want to stay in the city?

justcynn

prefer to stay on trails. Hills would be welcome staying at courtyard west. Thanks!.

sdn40

If you're a beer fan - sample a Spotted Cow - or anything else from the New Glarus menu.

Dirt Farmer

If you can swing a longer ride, this is a fave of mine

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28012334

Happy Hill Road is the best road cycling road I've ever been on!

fishboat

Might not be clear to someone who's visiting. Of the trails listed above, only the 400 Trail & Glacial Drumlin need a trail pass(I can't speak tot he trails around the Dells..haven't ridden them). the rest are free and very nice. Check Ride With GPS and search for the trails..they'll be listed by someone. If not, shoot me a PM..ridden them all many times.

OP..if you're heading to Door County there's LOTS of nice rides up there. Around EauClaire there's the Red Cedar Trail and Chippewa River Trail...both nice trails along rivers. The Green Circle Trail around Stevens Point, if you're in the area, is super nice. Send me a PM if you need specifics..or ask here..

delbiker1 

The Milwaukee Zoo was one of my favorite places to visit when I was young. Devil's Lake definitely worth checking out. As stated, Wisconsin has a lot of great places for bicycling. Just getting out and exploring rural roads, especially with the hills, is a good time on a bike. IMO, the Dells is meh, at best. Just not something I enjoy.

justcynn

so many great tips and ideas in this Thread, thank you all!

I made the mistake of cruising the craigslist ads for Milwaukee and Madison - so many Treks and Schwinns - my two weaknesses..., would one of you locals please buy this Peloton before I get there? If not, very good chance its coming home with me its even in the same town as my hotel...

https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/d...329788750.html

sdn40

I think the Trek headquarters is near Madison with a museum of sorts that offer tours.

badger_biker 

It’s been a few years since I visited but it’s in Waterloo WI and worth the visit to see where your 520 came together.

roadsnakes

I forgot to include this.

If time allows, hit it before or after Bucks Game.

https://www.safe-house.com/

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Chombi1 

Door County is beautiful in summer and fall. You can also attend the traditional fish boil events they have.

Chombi1 

Funny,......all my college classmates that lived in Cudahy always warned us for some reason, to stay away from their town...

dedhed

justcynn

thanks for the tip, I made a reservation for Sunday before the game. Looks very cool!

justcynn

thanks for the tips, My wife is crazy for sunrises and sunsets and has agreed to do the sunrise ride with me on Friday. your pictures convinced her

justcynn

and no one got me off the hook on this '84 Schwinn Peloton, looks like its coming home with me...turns out the seller is about a mile from the hotel in Madison and agreed to meet on friday afternoon...its a good thing I dont live in Madison, there are vintage bikes galore but I will be happy to own this one and add it to my growing collection of Schwinns