Waukesha County has a super selection of roads to ride. It's generally rolling hills, with good pavement. I picked the Glacial Drumlin Trail because it is very popular. Anyone can ride it from Mom and Pop with the kids, or Mr. Triathlete with his TT bike, there's plenty of room for everybody. Don't hesitate to stray from the path to explore other roads as well though, it makes a great way to get out of Waukesha into the more rural areas.
http://www.glacialdrumlin.com/gdtlogolong003.gif
http://www.glacialdrumlin.com/
The eastern 13 miles of the trail are paved and run from Waukesha to Dousman. I start at the E.B. Shurts Environmental Center where there's free parking, bathrooms, and water.
From the parking lot, we ride west on the 'sidewalk' until the trail splits to the right. The Fox River Sanctuary Trail also branches off to the south. That's pretty cool too, but we're going to the right.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD04.jpg
There is a $4 fee for riding the trail. You can buy passes right on the trail. "Can I ride without one?" Yeah, probably if it's not saturday afternoon, or a weekday evening. But you never know when they may check.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD25.jpg
One thing that make this a great place to ride, is that it's not entirely flat. There is a 3 mile climb of 2 to 3 % out to the town of Wales. I like to ride it when there's a strong wind from the west, that makes the climb a little harder, and lots of fun comming back down!
http://members.aol.com/j999w/elevationgraph.jpg
http://www.routeslip.com/routes/7899
All kinds of cyclists ride here, from the local on his Schwinn Varsity, to racers out training.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD07.jpg
A few miles of flat, then it's 3 miles of climbing.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD08.jpg
Nearing the top ... there's the bridge!
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD09.jpg
( continued ... )
John Wilke
05-20-07, 10:53 AM
Out of the woods into the sun, the small town of Wales.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD10.jpg
Where there are bathrooms, a source of water, or you can
get your pass ... if you haven't yet.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD11.jpg
On we go, down the other side of the hill ..... OH OH ...
CHECK POINT CHARLIE! :eek: Get out your trail pass!
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD12.jpg
What few road crossings there are, lead to more great roads to explore.
This one heads south to the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD15.jpg
Down the trail a few more miles and we're reaching the end ... here's Dousman.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD18.jpg
Home of the famous (around here) - Bicycle Doctor bike shop. They have the ususal
energy foods and a Cappuchino Bar! On main street, there are other stores and a few
soda machines for those hot days.
Another half mile to the end of the paved path.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD20.jpg
Here you have three choices: continue on toward Madison (It's gravel, but ridable on a road bike, take continue on the country roads, or turn around. I'm turning around. :D 13 miles of tail wind, and that big long downhill.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD22.jpg
Of course, now it's raining, but fortunately for me I hooked up with this "Canadian" guy
on his Cervelo, who took a big pull up the hill back to Wales (where he pulled off). "Thanks for the pull, guy!!"
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD24.jpg
( one more page ... )
John Wilke
05-20-07, 11:06 AM
After the flying down the hill, we just cruise the last few miles.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD21.jpg
Across the last bridge.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD26.jpg
Back to the car. Where our Canadian friend is just behind us.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD27.jpg
Hope you enjoyed the tour, and if you haven't ridden the Glacial Drumlin Trail
yet, check it out. I think you'll like it.
Next Wisconsin County will be ... who knows??? http://www.freedomcrowsnest.org/forum/images/smiles/bye2.gif
timmyquest
05-20-07, 11:14 AM
I dig it, i really ought to take some road trips up north this summer. Not much climbing here in northern Illinois but Wisconsin's got some for sure.
mmerner
05-20-07, 05:07 PM
awesome, I ride this trail all the time.
There is a $4 fee for riding the trail. You can buy passes right on the trail. "Can I ride without one?" Yeah, probably if it's not saturday afternoon, or a weekday evening. But you never know when they may check.
get the yearly pass, it's good for all state trails, all year.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD07.jpg
I know this group, it's a group for troubled, disadvantaged kids.
dannwilliams
05-20-07, 07:20 PM
Next Wisconsin County will be ... who knows??? http://www.freedomcrowsnest.org/forum/images/smiles/bye2.gif
Let me know when you come up to Pierce or St Croix counties, I can take you on a few of the road rides around here.
Dan
Jose Perez
05-20-07, 08:35 PM
Thanks for coming out to my neck of the woods. A lot of great roads to train on out this way of you decide to wander off the GD trail.
John Wilke
05-21-07, 02:22 AM
Let me know when you come up to Pierce or St Croix counties, I can take you on a few of the road rides around here.
Dan
Can you plot them on Routeslip.com or Bikely.com? Then many people can see. One day, I'll be there!
At one time or another, I've ridden many different parts of the state, but I'm starting over. So far, in this new count I've logged:
Milwaukee
Sheboygan
Racine
Kenosha
Waukesha
Will probably keep expanding the circle from home. Next up will likely be Ozaukee, Washington, Jefferson, Walworth, Fondulac, Manitowoc which I know somewhat, after that it's a clean slate. Dane, Brown, or Door wouldn't be too hard to find a neat place to ride, but what about Taylor, Rock, Clark, Forest??? You got me!
So if you can plot your fave's on Routeslip or Bikely, then I know ... "OH! I gotta ride that!"
Here's the routes I posted so far:
http://www.routeslip.com/user/BIFFBRADFORD
Flywolf
05-21-07, 06:56 AM
JW, great pictures as usual, I hope you didn't stop at that delicious bakery in Wales :) they have a .99c Huge Chocolate chip cookies.
Wow, I have been on the GD trail few times and never saw a check point, will he chase you if you do a U turn to avoid the check point :D
bike4life
05-21-07, 08:55 AM
I really enjoy your posts, so keep it up! I've been out GD many times, especially since they paved those 6 miles in New Berlin, and really enjoy it, including that subtle climb to Wales. I'm wondering if you know of a good route to Bong Recreational Area that utilizes trails and/or quiet, country lanes all the way. I'm putting together rides for scouts who are earning the cycling merit badge and want to avoid any high traffic routes.
bill2k1
05-21-07, 06:22 PM
Very cool, I was at a wedding in that area last weekend and saw the trail and just happened upon your write up here. I intend to ride it soon.
CPcyclist
05-21-07, 06:54 PM
Nearing the top ... there's the bridge!
http://members.aol.com/j999w/GD09.jpg
That looks like the bridge for hwy83 in wales were the "cool" kids would diaper to for a "smoke" back in the day.
Sage23
05-21-07, 10:02 PM
Yahoo!!!! My local trail! LOVE the downhill back into Waukesha!
If you take the Fox River trail to the left, you end up right by my house! Nice pics as usual!
For your next county, I'm going to suggest taking the trip out to Iowa County (around Governor Dodge State Park). Talk about some great low-traffic HILLY roads!
John Wilke
05-22-07, 07:13 AM
Yahoo!!!! My local trail! LOVE the downhill back into Waukesha!
If you take the Fox River trail to the left, you end up right by my house! Nice pics as usual!
For your next county, I'm going to suggest taking the trip out to Iowa County (around Governor Dodge State Park). Talk about some great low-traffic HILLY roads!
I recall riding with some club out of Madison years ago. Some ride, was it to the police chief's house for pancakes? Great roads, but OUCH! lots of climbing.
:)
jw
pHunbalanced
05-23-07, 08:04 AM
For your next county, I'm going to suggest taking the trip out to Iowa County (around Governor Dodge State Park). Talk about some great low-traffic HILLY roads!
I would agree. Iowa County is some of the best riding in the state for scenery and a good workout. Door and Sheboygan are major favorites of mine as well, but when I want a real challenge I go west to Iowa and Sauk.
dedhed
05-27-07, 11:41 AM
[QUOTE=mmerner]awesome, I ride this trail all the time.
There is a $4 fee for riding the trail. You can buy passes right on the trail. "Can I ride without one?" Yeah, probably if it's not saturday afternoon, or a weekday evening. But you never know when they may check.
get the yearly pass, it's good for all state trails, all year.
[A trail pass as well as state park sticker is also included if you have a conservation patron hunting license.
richjac
05-29-07, 11:25 AM
I would highly recommend a detour to the north just before you reach Hwy 83 in Wales... to LeDuc's custard stand. It's a great turnaround point if you're towing kids, and the frozen custard or shakes really make it a worthwhile ride!
John Wilke
05-29-07, 12:07 PM
Along those same lines, there's a Subway on 83 just south of the trail (up on the hill). Nothing like some hot soup on a long, chilly spring ride. Made that stop when riding from Milwaukee to Sullivan via the GD trail (~ 80 miles, but pretty flat). If you're lucky, they may have some newspapers laying about to stuff in the front of your jacket to keep the wind out.