What we’re about
Welcome to Wisconsin Bicycling Meetup!
Wisconsin Bicycling Meetup is a statewide Meetup offering bicycle rides throughout Wisconsin. Our calendar includes numerous single-day rides and several extended weekend rides. There are a variety of rides, designed to appeal to riders of different abilities. We ride on both paved roads and state trails. The routes for the road rides have been carefully chosen to follow low-traffic, country roads, where you can enjoy the ride and the rural scenery.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Friday Chicken & Fish Fry: Amish CommunityNew Glarus Chamber of Commerce (Trailhead for the Sugar River State Trail), New Glarus, WI
Join us for a Friday night Chicken & Fish Fry!
The Amish community in Albany is hosting a Friday Chicken & Fish Fry at the Clearview School. There will be homemade ice cream and pies too!
Our ride will be mostly on the Sugar River State Trail, which has a smooth, crushed stone surface. The ride will be at a casual pace, with restroom breaks available along the trail in both Monticello and Albany. We'll also stop at the Countryside Bent & Dent to get some treats at discount prices just before getting to the dinner.
There will be about 1 hour of night riding on the trail as part of our return trip. You WILL need a strong headlight for your bike!
Details:
- Meeting Place: Parking lot for the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, by the trailhead for the Sugar River State Trail.
- Route: 40-mile ride (round-trip distance), mostly following the Sugar River State Trail.
- Ride With GPS Route: NG-040-Amish Dinner (If you have a GPS, it is highly recommended to download the route to your GPS. There will not be any maps or cue sheets handed out at the ride.)
- Tentative Plan/Pace: 1.5 to 2 hours outbound; 1 hour at dinner; 1.5 to 2 hours return. So, finish between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
- Trail Pass: A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required to ride on the Sugar River State Trail. All riders are encouraged to purchase their trail pass before our ride. Trail passes may be purchased online or at most Wisconsin bicycle shops.
Super-Important Stuff:
- Plan to arrive by 3:45 PM. We will push-off promptly at 4:00 PM.
- The ride will include about 1 hour of night riding. Lights are required. We suggest a strong front light of at least 300 lumens and a working tail light.
- Bring an extra layer of clothing if you wish, as it may get cool after sunset, especially on the trail.
- Root River WeekendLanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, Lanesboro, MN
Join us for a fun Labor Day weekend outing, Friday, August 29th through Monday, September 1st, Lanesboro, MN, along the Root River Trail.
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.
- Green Circle Trail Ride - Steven's Point, WISchmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, Stevens Point, WI
The Green Circle Trail of Stevens Point "is a 27-mile scenic hiking and biking trail that loops through the Stevens Point area and connects with over 45 miles of additional trails. It winds through forests and parks, over wetlands, and along rivers, recalling the days of huge pineries, pioneer settlements, and the lore of the Wisconsin and Plover Rivers".
It is one of my favorite trails in Wisconsin, and it is less than 2 hours drive from Madison.
Plan to arrive at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center by 11:30am, and we will roll out at noon. The full trail takes about 2 hours to ride, but we will plan to stop here and there for photos or to appreciate the sculpture park or other sights.
If you find you have extra time, please check out this list of other things you can do at the Schmeeckle Reserve.
After the ride, we will plan to stop somewhere (TBD) for food, drink, and socializing. Please feel free to suggest favorite restaurants in the comments.
