Bike Camping Kickoff: Dorothy Carnes Overnight

Introduction: Celebrating our 11th season, join us on another guided bike camping trip to beautiful Dorothy Carnes County Park, and kick off the year in style! What makes this tour special is that we will combine some of the best routes from past Sandhill Station overnights with the beautiful, secluded Dorothy Carnes County Park. Members can choose a full tour starting from Odana Hills that utilizes bike paths and quiet country roads, or a shortened tour that starts at the Cottage Grove Glacial Drumlin Trailhead, making a Sub-24 possible, and great for beginners.

Whichever starting point you choose, you'll likely agree this tour has something for you!

Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate.

Pace: Party (approx. 9-12 mph). We will have "checkpoints" for those who want to ride a little faster.

Length:
48± miles per day (Full Tour)
28± miles per day (Shortened Tour)

Terrain:
The full tour will start with a scenic route through the Arboretum, paved bike paths, suburban streets, and country roads. Both tours will heavily utilize the Glacial Drumlin gravel trail, with quiet, rolling county roads sprinkled in. Elevation gains will be mild, with the full tour having slightly more elevation gain per mile.

Internary/Services: Coming soon.

GPS Routes:
Dorothy Carnes O/N - PRELIMINARY - Not for Download
I will conduct a sweep a few days before the event to identify any road or trail closures.

Parking:
Full Route: Charles Street (just north of Odana Golf Course)
Shortened: Either the Cottage Grove Trailhead in Cottage Grove or the Park and Ride on the north side of town. (We have never had an issue with parking at the CG Trailhead, but if you are worried, there is the Park and Ride option.)

Time:
Full Route: Arrival is 9:30 a.m., departure is 10:00 a.m.
Shortened Route: Arrival 12:00 pm., expected departure 12:30-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $20-30 estimated for camping and optional firewood, pending attendance. Payment via cash or Venmo at the event is preferred.

Campsite Amenities: Restroom and on-site firewood, hiking paths, historic farmstead.

Food: Several options on the route. Our camping site is a few miles outside Fort Atkinson, but a sit-down dinner on Saturday night or a breakfast stop early Sunday morning is doable. Members can either make food in camp or ride into town.

Pre-ride tips: Organize and pack your gear several days in advance, tune up your bike if necessary, and take your packed bike for a short ride around the block. Does it feel balanced? These few steps will help you feel more confident on the morning of departure.
A highly recommended video for a Lightweight Bike Touring Setup:
The Best Lightweight Bike Touring Setup
The 'Discussion' section contains more videos and tips on bicycle touring.

Final Notes: A trail pass is required. You can order a 2026 Trail Pass here on the Wisconsin Bike Fed: 2026 Wisconsin State Pass
Riders must have signed the 2026 Waiver and Contact Form. Helmets, lights, proper nutrition, and hydration are all encouraged. A minimum of two 16 oz. bottles of water and two energy bars daily are good starting points. Participants should be prepared to ride the entire route at their own pace. Please inform the leader if you abandon the ride or deviate significantly from the intended course.
We will cancel at least 2 hours in advance if there is bad weather. Please be courteous to the organizers by RSVPing only if you intend to attend and keep your RSVP up to date. This is for the small minority - most of you are great, but repeated no-shows occupying valuable spots may result in your ban from the group. We reserve the right to replace it with a similar event or cancel due to a lack of interest, current events, or poor trail or road conditions.

Suggested Yearly Donation: $25