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This event is open to everyone. Considered the first rail-to-trail in the United States, the Elroy-Sparta State Trail remains one of the most popular trails in the country. With three rock tunnels and five small towns along its 32.5-mile route, the trail is a favorite Wisconsin bicycling destination. Traveling between Sparta and Elroy, the trail stretches through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton and Kendall, passing by wetlands, prairies, farmland and unglaciated areas. The trail surface is crushed limestone.

If you don’t want to camp and you only want to join on the bike ride on Saturday, you are more than welcome. Just let me know and I can tell you what time to show up to join us. The only cost involved would be needing a trail sticker and your WI parks sticker.

Directions
Sparta Campground Driving Directions: https://maps.google.com?daddr=43.9260,-90.7894
Sparta Walk-in Campground Coordinates 43.9260,-90.7894

Weather
This is a late spring early summer outing. Please check the weather forecast and come prepared for various temperatures.

Finding Us
We will be camping at the Sparta Walk-in Group Campground Site 101. We will have picnic tables, a water pump, fire ring and vault toilets near by. There will be a locked gate by the parking lot, just walk through it to get to the campsite.

Friday
Arrive at the campsite any time after 3pm. Have dinner, take a short ride, relax, and get your tent set up. There is always the option of going in town for a Friday night fish fry.

Saturday
After breakfast you have options of going on a hike along the state trail or doing a bike ride. If you choose the bike ride, we can stop for lunch along the trail during our outing for the day. In the morning we can decide how many miles we would like to go out and then come back, there are some cool tunnels to see along the way. There will be bathroom stops along the trail in the different towns we will pass through. (Elroy, Kendall, Wilton, Norwalk) We can do the whole 32.5 miles and take plenty of breaks along the way. This won’t be a race to the end; it will be a casual ride for all to enjoy. If you would like to go off on your own, that is perfectly fine too. We want everyone to have fun, no matter your bike skills. I personally HATE hills; you will hear me whine when I see one. HA-HA

Sunday
Sleep in! Have a relaxing breakfast, pack up your camping gear, go explore the state trail some more or head home. Check out of the campsite is at 1:00pm, but you can still ride the trail leaving your car parked at the lot.

Fees
Your $20.00 meetup fee covers $15 in 2 nights of camping costs, $3 in Meetup fees and $2 in firewood. The fee DOES NOT cover personal equipment or food for the event. You will need a WI State Park sticker and bikers 16 years or older must buy a state trail pass before using the trail, this is purchased on your own. This can be purchased online for $25.00, or you can get a daily pass for $5.00. If you plan on walking the state trail you DO NOT need a pass, this is only for the bikes.

Payment is due 48 hours after signing up. Full refunds will be honored if notified by June 15th. Please send your fee by Venmo @Sherri-Lockwood or by Zelle at 414-759-6317.

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