Explore Wisconsin Bicycle Tours, Bike Routes And Trails

By Freida McCall


It's a widely held opinion, even among members of the League of American Bicyclists, that Wisconsin bicycle tours are simply the best in the nation. Everyone can find something to their liking, whether it is an outdoor getaway in the heights of the Northwoods or a scenic lakeshore holiday exploring Green Bay and the Door County Peninsula. Check out all the trails, routes and tours, and select the one which looks most interesting and doable.

The intrepid bicyclist looking to explore the Badger State on wheels and pedal power has three basic regions to choose from. Literally and figuratively at the top is the Northwoods, which covers five counties and can accurately be described as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The stunningly breathtaking trails take riders through huge forests, lakes and picture-perfect small towns. There are many spots along the way to set up camp and so some fishing and boating.

A rather appealing option for bicycling groups is a route following the Wisconsin River which runs through the central region in the state. This is a long but easy route that anyone can tackle as part of a tourist holiday combined with some group fun on bicycles. The most interesting and popular sections can be found within the rural patches between Baraboo and Wisconsin Rapids.

Another possibility is an exploration of Lake Michigan's shoreline. This route could start from Sheboygan, follow the shoreline all the way to Sturgeon Bay, and then turn around to head down the other coast of the Door County Peninsula to Green Bay. This option is quite popular among tourists who want to combine their vacation time with some fun as a group on a bicycle trip.

All these choices call for tour participants to set aside at least a week, if not more. It doesn't mean a whole week of hard physical exertion. On the contrary, this is an experience where the journey is supposed to be as enjoyable as the destinations, and bicyclists can set their own sweet pace as a group. It's OK to meander and smell the flowers, so to speak.

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.

Diehard fans of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture will be thrilled by a bicycle tour of his masterpieces scattered around Spring Green and Taliesin, which was his hometown. Similarly, Civil War and history buffs may like to follow the Milton bicycling tour which includes the exciting tunnel route used by slaves heading north to Canada. The tunnel runs from the historic Milton House stagecoach inn all the way to a log cabin.

A touch of luxury with resort stays and other niceties added to Wisconsin bicycle tours makes it a lot easier. The resort can be used as a daily starting point for the group, with the tour company providing the bikes and a guide to explore all the trails in the surroundings before returning to the hotel in the evening. This is a great choice for those who want to have an outdoor experience without giving up the comforts of home and modernity.




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