Bike Touring Gear

Pruning the gear you bring along is a process that may evolve over a few trips. Yet, the first trip goes far in helping you figure out what is necessary and what is superfluous. Once you get back (and have caught your breath), sort out the items you didn't use and ask whether they couldn't be left at home next time.

How to Pack and Haul Your Gear on a Bike Tour

I group everything I'm bringing and pack my panniers by theme. Be sure to pack items that you'll use along the way in a convenient place. The front left pannier is typically the easiest to access on the trail, because most people get on and off the bike from the left side and lean the right side up against something to park it.

Cracking a Combination Bike Lock

I think the lesson here isn't how to crack the lock (how hard is it to remember a 4 digit combo?), rather it's that your bike isn't as secure as you think.

I like my small combo lock because it fits easily into a purse and I don't have to add another key to my already full keyring. However, I keep a stronger key lock on my porch for any overnight parking.

The Bike Song

An Introduction to Touring Bikes

The finest saddle, nicest panniers, and clipless pedals aren't necessary to venture out of the city. If you can be comfortable on your bike for a few hours and have at least a rear rack, you are ready to embark on your first trip. 

Non-touring bike on the trail

Methods of Bike Touring in Wisconsin

Bicycle touring may conjure up images of mule-like bikes and weary travelers heading toward California, but aspirations of loading up and heading to the Pacific aren’t a prerequisite to incorporating tours into your bike life. You can enjoy what touring has to offer – exploring communities beyond the Dane County line, fresh air, scenery, and exercise – on a weekend adventure or even just a day trip.

Packing light for a day trip or credit card tour

The touring cyclist can generally choose between credit card touring or self-supported touring. On a credit card tour, cyclists bring clothing, personal items, and some basic gear, but pay for food and accommodations along the way. On a self-supported tour, cyclists carry their food, gear, and camping equipment on their bikes, making supply stops as needed. 

Self-supported touring at Mukwonago County Park

We usually do a combination of the two, paying for one of our daily meals and finding refuge in a motel if foul weather hits. Rail trails go through plenty of towns where you can dine out or resupply.

Bike Touring / Camping Tips: Destinations, Maps and Pacing

Choosing your bike camping destination and finding your way

Several state parks or trailside campgrounds within 60 miles of Madison make for good weekend bike camping destinations. Unsure of which to pick for a first trip? Try one of the closer destinations on or near a rail trail, such as Blue Mound State Park on the Military Ridge, New Glarus Woods near the Badger, or Sandhill Station on the Glacial Drumlin.

Touring Cyclists' Special

A 1955 promotional film for British Railways encapsulates many of the things we love about touring.

Featured Bicycle Touring Route: Devil's Lake State Park

by Peter Herreid

Devil’s Lake is one of the most popular state parks in Wisconsin and a great weekend camping destination for biking out of Madison. So, it is surprising not to see more people pulling up to campsites on bikes. The park is located about 42 miles northwest of Madison or roughly five hours on a fully loaded bike. The route is hilly, but the destination rewarding.

Featured Bicycle Touring Route: Blue Mound State Park

Military Ridge State Trail

Bike camping at Blue Mound State Park is a good introduction to an overnight bike tour. The 30-mile trail route from Capitol Square will take you straight to the park’s bike-in campground.  

Sugar River

The Southwest Commuter Path leads out of Madison towards the start of the Military Ridge State Trail. Out of Verona, this rail trail runs through the Sugar River Bottoms’ wetlands and prairies. After the trail parts ways with the Sugar River, it ascends for miles at a slight, yet tiring uphill grade to Mt. Horeb. (The flipside of the ascent is a fast downhill stretch on the way home.) 

In Mt. Horeb, there’s water and bathrooms at the restored train depot along the path and a handful of places to get food and a beer in town. Schubert’s Diner on Main Street is a nice place for breakfast and coffee. There is also a convenience store in the Village of Blue Mounds just off the trail for any items you want to pick up just before the park.  

My friend made the trip on her single speed.

The bike campground is surprisingly underutilized. Although it’s a bit more rustic than campgrounds that accommodate RVs, it still has running water and two well-maintained latrines. In addition to standard, non-electric tent sites, there’s also an open-air structure with wooden cots – on a recent trip with friends we opted not to pitch the tent and instead slept in the cool, mosquito-free air. 

No tent required.

From the park’s observation tower (the highest point in southern Wisconsin), you can look back over the distance biked and see Madison as specks on the horizon. The park doesn’t have a lake, but does have a pool with diving board.

Taking a yoga break on the return trip.

Wild asparagus along the Capital City Trail