Featured Bike Ride Route: Paoli

The ride to Paoli has been described as "cliche" for Madison road cyclists, but its popularity is well-founded. Paoli deserves another look, because the Badger State Trail's completion in 2010 made it much more accessible to the broader cycling public.  No longer do you need to sweat a truck overtaking you at 55 mph on a narrow highway biking out to Paoli.  The completed rail trail frees you from the stress of traffic almost all of the way out there.

Although I had biked the Badger Trail many times, even taking it all the way to Illinois once, I had never stopped in Paoli or made it a destination itself. Paoli is a relatively flat, 30-mile round trip from Capitol Square, which is an approachable distance if you're getting into longer rides out of town. This rail-trail route is also easy to navigate. After taking the ride to Paoli and back, you may feel confident enough to visit destinations further along the rail trails, such as Mt. Horeb or New Glarus.

Badger Trail

On an unseasonably warm day, I recruited a friend to make the trip with me. I had on some touring gear: SPD clipless shoes, helmet, and bike shorts concealed by a knit skirt - though, these things weren't necessary for the trip. My friend, Abigail, was comfortable without wearing any bike-specific garb. Her Trek hybrid was a good match for my Fuji Touring as we pedaled along chatting.

Sayles Road

We got off the Badger Trail just before the paved section ends and took some low-traffic roads on rolling hills the final miles to Paoli. We saw several other cyclists enjoying the summer weather in March.

Once in Paoli, we stopped at the Creamery Cafe for ice tea and fresh baked goods. Along with a handful of places to grab a snack or refreshment, Paoli has a park next to the general store which has long served as a place to rest, picnic, and meet up, as well as begin and end a road bike loop.

Urban Terrain Bike Shoes

How to Carry Laundry by Bike

If you have a rear rack and some bungee cords, you can haul your wash to the laundromat.  If you're not used to carrying a load and are wary of the idea, try it out in your driveway and see how your bike handles - be sure to go more slowly and give yourself more space to turn.

Frozen Snot Century 2012: Mission to Madison

by Peter Herreid 

On Saturday morning, March 17th, about a dozen cyclists met at the central Chicago Metra station, where they boarded a train with their bikes and took it to the end of the line in Harvard, IL. From Harvard, they rode about 75 miles to Madison. John Greenfield, author of the book Bars Across America and co-author of GridChicago.com, organized the ride through thechainlink.org, a Chicago online bicycling network. 

Arriving at the Great Dane in Madison

Bike Parking for Apartment Dwellers

 by Peter Herreid

Face it, people are creatures of convenience. Although there are many righteous reasons to ride a bike, it’s the most convenient way to get around the isthmus. However, the simple inconvenience of storing a bike or accessing it are simple, yet powerful factors reducing the number of people who ride bikes. The City of Madison has added much public bike parking capacity, but at home you’re still on your own and for many apartment and condo dwellers, storing a bike is not so convenient.

Biking with Kids

My sister recently asked me for some advice on buying a bicycle and outfitting it to tote her children, ages seven and two. I don’t have kids and have never transported one on a bike, so I had to rely on my bicycle commonsense and the blogs of biking mamas. 

Most child transport options are dependent on age and weight such as child seats, trailers and trainers, or you can go for a cargo bike designed for carting your brood around town.   

Capital City Trail

Friends with Bikes: Goldie & Annika

Enjoying the weather at Yahara Place Park

Know Your Rights, Though, They Won’t Save Your Life

I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Wisconsin Bicycle Laws at the Department of Transportation site, but don’t let your guard down because you think the law has your back. A state law allowing a cyclist to be on any particular road doesn’t make it safe for them to be there. When riding, it’s tempting to insist on defending cyclists’ turf on the street by not allowing a motorist to encroach on it. However, there is such a thing as being dead right, and what a cost to prove a point!  

Snow Covered Bike Path

Featured Bike Ride Route: Nine Springs E-Way Bike & Hike

Take advantage of a sunny day with a ride out to the Nine Springs E-Way.  It's about a five mile ride from the Capitol square to where you can park your bike at the Lussier Family Heritage Center- here are directions.