Wisconsin Bicycling Meetup

• Date: Saturday, El Tres de Mayo (Rain date: Sunday, El Cuatro de Mayo)
• Time: Arrive by 10:00 AM. The ride will begin at 10:30 AM.
• Meeting Place: The Verona Park & Ride, on Old PB along the Military Ridge Trail in Verona.
• Route: Easy-Peasy, casual 25-miler. We'll ride the Military Ridge State Trail to the Capital City State Trail, where we'll do a clockwise loop, then return to the start location via the Military Ridge State Trail.
• Ride With GPS Link: Mad-025-Chimichanga
• After-Ride Socializing: Join us for food and drinks at AzTec Taqueria (160 Keenan Ct, Suite 5, Verona). You may either drive there or ride your bicycle, since it is less than 1/2-mile away from the Park & Ride via the Verona bicycle trail. They have about 10 tables on their outdoor patio and some indoor tables as well.
• Trail Pass: A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required to ride on the Military Ridge State Trail and portions of the Capital City State Trail. Please purchase your trail pass in advance of the ride.

We're heading up to the Wisconsin Northwoods for a fun multi-day outing, Wednesday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 6th. We'll be based out of Boulder Junction, along the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System. We'll also ride other local trails, including the Three Eagle Trail, the Bearskin State Trail, and the Wilderness Lakes Trail. Join us for just a few days, or for the entire event!
Itinerary:

• Wednesday, July 2: Arrive by 4:00 PM at the trailhead (See map: Eagle River Depot Museum) for the Three Eagle Trail in Eagle River. At 4:30 PM, we will begin our 26-mile out-and-back ride on the compacted crushed limestone trail to Three Lakes. Plan for dinner and ice cream stops during the ride. Note: Wednesday's ride is planned for the late afternoon to allow time during the day to drive to Boulder Junction and settle in at your motel or campground.
• Thursday, July 3: Arrive by 8:45 AM at the Boulder Junction Community Center. At 9:00 AM, we will begin our ride, heading east on the paved Heart of Vilas County trail. Options: 30 miles round-trip to Sayner or 56 miles to St. Germain.
• Friday, July 4: Arrive by 8:45 AM at the Land O' Lakes Chamber of Commerce. (Note: It is a 40-minute / 30-mile drive from Boulder Junction to Land O' Lakes). At 9:00 AM, we will begin our ride, riding clockwise on the mostly paved Wilderness Lakes Trail for a total of about 40 miles. See Ride With GPS route (BJ-039-WLT-CW) for notes regarding possible rest stops, 1.5 miles of gravel along the route, and an optional additional 5-mile loop. Optional breakfast at the 8-mile mark at the Forest Lake Country Store.
• Saturday, July 5: Arrive by 8:45 AM at the Boulder Junction Community Center. At 9:00 AM, we will begin our ride, heading west on the paved Heart of Vilas County trail. Options: 30 miles round-trip to Manitowish Waters or 52 miles round-trip to Mercer.
• Sunday, July 6: Arrive by 8:45 AM at the trailhead (See map: Bearskin Trailhead Park) for the Bearskin State Trail in Minocqua. At 9:00 AM we will begin our ride, heading south on the compacted granite trail. Options: 27 miles round-trip to Goodnow, 52 miles to Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe, or 64 miles to the end of the trail in Tomahawk.

Boulder Junction Accommodations and Reservations

• Boulder Junction Motor Lodge: 1-715-807-7858 - Several rooms available with 2 Queen beds.
• Crystal Lake Campground
• Please make your own lodging reservation to suit your needs.

The Root River State Trail system offers 60 miles of paved bicycle trails. The trail winds through the valley of the Root River, past towering 300-foot limestone bluffs, forests and rolling fields. Along the way, you may also see wildlife including wild turkeys, deer, hawks and turkey vultures. Rattlesnakes can occasionally be found on rock outcrops, along the river bottoms, or sunning themselves on the trail.

Lanesboro is at the heart of the Root River State Trail, which branches out in three directions. Each day, there will be an option for a bike ride on one of the three branches of the trail. All of the rides are out-and-back on the trail, so you get to choose your desired mileage each day.

Suggested rides (round-trip mileage) are:

• Saturday: 21 miles (short, to Preston); 46 miles (medium, to Harmony); 58 miles (long, to Niagara Cave)
• Sunday: 27 miles (short, to Peterson); 37 miles (medium, to Rushford); 62 miles (long, to Houston)
• Monday: 24 miles (to Fountain)

We will gather each evening, for a group dinner and to discuss plans for the following day. Some people may choose to join the bicycle ride, while other may choose canoeing, kayaking or tubing on the river (Root River Outfitters, Little River General Store), going for a tour of the Amish community (Amish Backroads Tour, Bluffscape Amish Tour) or visiting the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. There is a theater (Commonweal Theatre) within walking distance if staying in Lanesboro, so that is an option for evening entertainment.

Click on the year for photos of past events: 2023, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013

Lanesboro Accommodations and Reservations
Suggested accommodations, all located in Lanesboro, include:

• Green Gables Inn (Reserve Online. $127-$256/night + tax)
• A Guest Hus Motel (Reserve Online. $85-$105/night + tax)
• City of Lanesboro Riverview Campground (No reservations. First-come/first-served)
• Eagle Cliff Campground & Lodging (Reserve Online or call 507-467-2598)

There are many other motels, inns, B&Bs and campgrounds listed on the Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce website.

Please make your own motel, B&B or campground reservation to suit your needs. If you are staying for the weekend, check-in is on Friday, August 29th, so that you can join the Friday dinner gathering.