To get to the trail from New Glarus, you’ll need to hit the road first. The first hill out of New Glarus is a real killer but it is very scenic. If you love hills, then I might recommend a route using the trail one way and the roads the other way. I see people ride the trail with 23’s and they zoom past me with reckless abandon. However, there are a few spots where she’ll need to be careful. I would suggest that you ride in front of her and warn her about such spots.

This time of year, you’ll also need to keep your eye out for black walnuts that fall on the trail. You might need a flashlight for the tunnel between New Glarus and Belleville. It’s not long but it bends a bit blocking the “light at the end of the tunnel.”

On second thought, you don’t need to take the road out of New Glarus to get to the Badger State Trail. You can take the Sugar River Trail out of New Glarus to get to the Badger State Trail. It is less direct but the trail out of New Glarus is very scenic as well.

Thanks for the suggestions! I was trying to plan the best way to the trail, I'm generally not afraid of hills but I'll have to consider that.

I'm thinking we're going find some wider tires for the wife's bike. I think we can go up to 28s... The forecast calls for rain this weekend too I figure we'll try to get her a fender and the wider tires and play it by ear. Might end up doing more driving than biking if the weather doesn't cooperate.

I rode on the Sugar River Trail earlier this summer from New Glarus, and it crosses the Badger trail. I personally wouldn't want to ride either trail with 23 mm tires, and would prefer 28s as a minimum. My bike had 32 mm cross tires and they were perfect. Make sure you stop at the brewery in New Glarus, home of the Spotted Cow, if your appreciate a good brewskie -- and if you are from Wisconsin, chances are that you do.

Not from Wisconsin, but I've been to the New Glarus brewery plenty of times In fact, it's one reason why the trip won't be a complete loss if the trail is a rainy mess.

Maybe only new to me, but I just tried their StoneSoup brew. If you like classic Belgian, check that one out.

Unfortunately, they only sell beer in Wisconsin. They are like Coors back in the 70s - a cult favorite due to lack of availability.

A friend of mine toured the Minhas Brewery in Monroe which is only a hop, skip and jump from New Glarus. He said the tour was a lot of fun and the brews were tasty. So if the weather stops you from biking perhaps you could make a 2-tour weekend: New Glarus and Monroe. Have a great time!!

https://minhasbrewery.com/home