big chainring 

I was looking on Googlemaps and came across the Ozaukee Interurban Trail in Wisconsin. It goes thru Cedarburg and Port Washington. Its a 30 mile trail thats built on an old Interurban rail line.

Cedarburg is a historic town with an old Mill thats been converted to a winery and antique mall. Nice town with several covered bridges in the vicinity.

Anywho, was wondering if anyone on BF had ridden it? Looks like it could be a good one for a C&V ride this summer.

https://www.interurbantrail.us/

gbalke

I grew up in Wisconson and spent time in Cedarburg and Port Washington, but that was twenty years ago. Here in the St. Louis area I ride the Katy Trail, which is basically an old RR line converted to public use; bicycling and hiking. The KT has a crushed limestone base, not paved like the Interurban trail. The KT also crosses the state, east to west, quite a bit longer in length. However, from what I see on the web site, the Interurban Trail looks like a good way to spend a day, start out from Cedarburg and ride to PW for a fish fry. Next time I go back home to visit family, I'll have a reason to take along one of my Raleighs.

Thanks for the post.

treebound 

Part of it goes about a block from us, I used a good chunk of it last year on a bike commute until I got laid off, I've rode it from Donges Bay road to Belgium. The mapped trail route has a couple of options thru Grafton. The freeway overpass is now complete but I haven't been over it yet. Going past Belgium it goes to the Sheboygan county line, basically farmland once past Port.

It would be easy enough to link it to the Milwaukee bike route system, or make a loop going along the lakeshore one direction and going thru Cedarburg in the other direction. In fact you could probably get permission to park at the Fox Point Wheel&Sprocket store as a start/stop point, or just use the Park&Ride on Brown Deer road or where I-43 and hwy-32 intersect. There is also a Park&Ride at the north end of Port, farmland north on the trail, inter-urban land south on the trail from there.

I'll try to watch this thread in case I can help some.

Chombi

Can't beat Wisconsin for nice long riding routes. In my college days, I used to ride from downtown Milwaukee on the lakefront, through Whitefish Bay and all the way to the northern suburb of Brown Deer, cross over I43 and into Cedarburg to do century loops. No real climbs to speak of, Except for the short steep climb up from the "witch's house" in Whitefish Bay but you can spin your heart out on mostly nice smooth roads at fast speeds with a driving public that are mostly aware of cyclists.
There are some nice riding routes here in the bay area, but I haven't found one to compare to what I used to ride in SE Wisconsin.

Chombi

treebound 

Link to their map page since the main page wasn't too phone friendly for me:

https://www.interurbantrail.us/BikeMaps/Maps.htm

The Golden Boy 

We haven't hit that one yet- but there's a nifty trail from Menomenee Falls through Lannon- That's the old Bugline trail. It's cool riding past the lannon stone quarrys.

The Golden Boy 

Don't forget about the Cream and Crepe restaurant in the old mill building... I love that place.

treebound 

The only issues I have with the Bugline is the crushed stone surface and the number of times the trail crosses the main roadway.

Harvey2

OMG the Witch's House! Is the yard still as it was twenty five odd years ago? This is part of local lore for any who don't know. I heard the story that her husband and son went out fishing and never returned. Considering how the lake is there, I could believe that.

So much of Wisconsin is pure riding heaven. Back in the day I rode motorcycles. Nothing I've ridden since compares to being up north just before dawn, stopping on a hill and watching the morning sun break the horizon over the lake. Used to do that at the govt pier too.

I grew up in east Waukesha county. (not the city) My family didn't have the money the neighbors had but still, I'm a Brookfield Brat at heart.

Harv

leftthread

Wisconsin DOT Ozaukee map;
https://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/...ikeozaukee.pdf

[/URL]The Tour de Cure routes use part of the Interurban Trail:
https://tour.diabetes.org/site/TR/Tou...ional&sid=1061

Also, Wheel and Sprocket lets cyclists park in their lot for the lakefront loop. They're on Santa Monica just off of N. Lake Dr. in Fox Point. Docters Park just to the north, near the intersection of Brown Deer and N. Lake Dr. is a nice spot to stop.

The Golden Boy 

Nah... she was an art teacher and artist. IIRC she died a while ago...

I used to go down there when I was in high school (I grew up in West Bend) just because it was on the Violent Femmes' album cover.


Here's a little site about her:

https://www.agilitynut.com/h/nohl.html

treebound 

Thanks for the Nohl house link.

Harvey2

Yeah, thanks for that. And setting me straight on what the real story is.

Wisconsin is a beautiful state.

Harv

dedhed

We'll tell you a bit more if you promise not to turn us into Northern Illinois, like Minoqua

I'm mostly familiar with the Southern half. It's smooth paved off road sections and on road sections through quaint touristy towns. It can be busy in nice weather, but mostly in the in-town sections of Mequon, Theinsville, and Cedarburg, but sparse out of town. On a weekend figure on sharing with strollers, bladers, walkers etc. I've never had any problems, but don't expect to play Lance and keep a 25mph pace. County line to Cedarburg for ice cream & back is 15+, just right for my 10 YO. Brown Deer to North of Grafton (I-43) is 20 - 30 RT depending on how much I screw around in towns. Haven't really been past Port Washington.

Parking is available in the office park on Brown Deer Rd across from the Audi? dealer. Otherwise Brown Deer Park is a short ride away. The first stretch from Brown Deer Rd to County Line is a BD rec trail and is now paved. Parking is also available on Mequon Rd at the Mequon Community Center or Piggly Wiggly lot. Cedarburg at the Municipal building lot. You may also park at the tavern on County line rd (Howard's?) in the back, especially if you stop after. This may have changed as it's under new ownership.

There are plans to connect it to Milwaukee county's Oak Leaf trail via the WE Energies ROW on the W side of Brown Deer Park. IIRC it should be paved this season or next. (If they don't spend the money on something else!) https://www.ourbrowndeer.com/page/attractions-1

I highly recommend riding it when Cedarburg is having one of their festivals (strawberry, fall harvest, etc). Park somewhere out of town and ride into town. It keeps you from having to try to find parking and keeps you from buying more artsy fartsy stuff then you can carry. https://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/

Another nice ride is the Eisenbahn trail in Washington County (West Bend). It's paved through W. Bend and then limestone screenings. I believe it'll connect with some other stuff to go all the way to Fond Du Lac/Eden. https://www.co.washington.wi.us/depar...iml?Detail=150

More on "the witch" of Barnett Ln https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Nohl_Art_Environment.
Many a trip up there in the mid seventies with a carful of teens, a 12er, and bag.