Travel

Biking Provides A Fabulous Way To Take In The Fall Color

Posted: 11/12/2010

Top Cycling Destination Offers Many Trails And Routes

(NAPSI) - If you’re spinning your wheels about where to go on vacation this fall, consider a cycling vacation in Wisconsin, one of the nation’s most bicycle-friendly states.

The League of American Bicyclists recently voted Wisconsin the second-best biking state in the nation and the state is continuing to build momentum as a top cycling destination. Natural beauty, rolling hills, a picturesque landscape and a bike-friendly attitude make Wisconsin one of the best places for bicycling in the country.

The state has a long history of welcoming cyclists and it was one of the first states to convert railways to multiuse paths (that is, rails to trails). The Elroy-Sparta trail, for example, is one of the most popular in the state with its unique, three-quarters-mile-long train tunnel carved in the hillside.

Wisconsin’s cycling reputation is so strong that its southwest corridor was included in Chicago’s recent bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. It’s also a favorite among bicycle manufacturers. Prominent bicycling companies such as Trek, Pacific Cycle and Saris love the combination of the state’s urban and country landscape and so call the state home.

Bicyclists interested in learning more about Wisconsin’s cycling landscape can order their own free “Wisconsin Biking Guide” at www.TravelWisconsin.com.

Here are some of the state’s best trails and routes:

• Elroy-Sparta National Trail (www.elroy-sparta-trail.com)

• Cycle Southwest Wisconsin (www.cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com)

• Ozaukee Interurban Trail (www.interurbantrail.us)

• Gandy Dancer Trail (www.polkcountytourism.com/gandydancer.html)

• CAMBA Mountain Bike Trails (www.cambatrails.org)

On-road touring opportunities can be found throughout Wisconsin, including several with historical themes, such as the Lead Mining Heritage Tour in Grant County; the Frank Lloyd Wright Tour in Iowa and Sauk counties; the Great River Road−South tour, which runs through La Crosse, Vernon and Crawford counties; and the Cheese Country Trail, which runs through Mineral Point, Darlington, Belmont and Monroe.

The state also offers plenty of expert-level mountain bike terrain, including many trails in the Cable area, which hosts one of the nation’s largest off-road events, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. In north-central Wisconsin, the Boulder Junction Area Trail System offers mountain bikers a 10-mile loop on local ski and snowmobile trails, as well as a paved trail running south to Trout Lake.

Other top mountain bike trails include the Perrot State Park Trails in western Wisconsin, the John Muir Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Park-Southern Unit and the Governor Dodge State Park Trail in southwestern Wisconsin.

Travelers looking for year-round Wisconsin getaway ideas, travel planning, events and free guides can discover their own fun at TravelWisconsin.com or by calling (800) 432-TRIP. Or “like” Travel Wisconsin on Facebook at Facebook.com/TravelWisconsin and follow along on Twitter at @TravelWI.

Photo courtesy of R.J. & Linda Miller

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