Route Suggestions for Madison, WI

[rs1115]

Hello - I live in the Chicago area and I am thinking of driving to Madison this weekend for some riding (or somewhere between Chicago and Madison) and I am looking for routes around 50 - 75 miles with some great scenes and hills. I have found numerous cue sheets and the like but I wonder if any members here have good suggestions to narrow the choices down or if suggest "must see" areas / rides.

Thanks!

Reid

[oliver1850]

I'd work this into one day's ride, the proposed course for the Chicago Olympics, and used for Robbie Ventura's Gran Fondo:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/22997994

[Marburg]

Haven't been the Mad town in a while, but I'd have to suggest west of town in and around Blue Mounds. Maybe nick some course notes from the Horribly Hilly Hundred:

http://www.horriblyhilly.com/about.htm#course

(which I'll admit I haven't done, though lots of riding in and around the driftless).

Many good shops in Madison, they should be able to help as well.

[gomango]

I was just west of Madison for the Dairyland Dare recently.

One of the nicest areas to ride I've ever been in, although challenging with lots of climbing available.

Great towns, people, food as well!

Although an old back injury flared the day of the ride, I was able to knock back a shorter ride on Sunday.

I'll certainly be back next year.

Here's a link to some thumpin' routes.

http://www.dairylanddare.com/routes.html

[chwupper]

So many great spots to ride up there, it's not funny. The areas around Spring Green (west of Madison) and Devil's Lake (north) are fantastic.

[jr59]

Paging Dave Wages....

[rs1115]

Fantastic - thanks much.

[astaft]

A good climb is Ryan Rd up to the top of blue mounds park.

[oliver1850]

Part of Ryan Rd is on the Fondo course, but you're going away from the park when you're on it. I'm sure you could work it into another loop if you do the Fondo course. Perhaps take JG up to Bohm and J, then Ryan back to the park.

If you like old bars check out Puempel's in New Glarus, and Baumgartner's in Monroe (the front room's a cheese store, the back room's a bar).

http://puempels.com/about.html

https://baumgartnercheese.com/

[Louis]

The areas around Spring Green (west of Madison) and Devil's Lake (north) are fantastic.

I thought the same thing about 10 years ago when I was up visiting Taliesin.

[oliver1850]

If you don't have one, I'd recommend picking up a DeLorme Wisconsin Atlas and Gazeteer. Large scale maps of the whole state with contour lines, and shows wooded areas. You can pick out the good riding areas just by leafing through it.

[Marburg]

If you're staying in town, don't forget the excellent bike trails west (Military Ridge), south (Badger State) and east (Glacial Drumlin?) out of town. You could ride from town to the Blue Mounds area, for example.

[rphetteplace]

x10 for Blue Mounds. After you're done drive down to New Glarus and have a Spotted Cow!

[rs1115]

Thanks much. I selected the Blue Mounds and will enjoy the ride.

[Marburg]

Oh no, why did you bring up New Glarus!?! Daddy needs his Fat Squirrel! (http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/fat-squirrel)

[gomango]

Part of Ryan Rd is on the Fondo course, but you're going away from the park when you're on it. I'm sure you could work it into another loop if you do the Fondo course. Perhaps take JG up to Bohm and J, then Ryan back to the park.

If you like old bars check out Puempel's in New Glarus, and Baumgartner's in Monroe (the front room's a cheese store, the back room's a bar).

http://puempels.com/about.html

https://baumgartnercheese.com/

Just visited New Glarus whilst not riding at the Dairyland Dare.

Felt right at home and heard a fair amount of German being used.

As far as beers go, I picked up two cases of the New Glarus Staghorn while in town.

A seasonal Oktoberfest, so step lively, as it is delicious.

[rs1115]

All - Thank you for your suggestions. I ended up doing the metric century option from the Horribly Hilly Hundreds. The ride was humbling and perfect. This forum continues to be such a rich source of information. I will certainly return and try the other rides.

Best, Reid

[cyclemad]

Any thoughts on gearing for riding around the driftless/Madison area? 28, 32, or just go full triple?? I have a 53/39 crank with an 11-28 right now.

[batman1425]

Depends on your fitness level, but I had no trouble with an 11-25 53x39 during the 6 years I lived in Madison.

[earlfoss]

I live on Old Sauk, the roads west of Madison are my training grounds. Any of the above suggestions are really excellent. I also recommend checking out the Capitol Brewery Bike Club site. If you're in town and can make it to a ride, they start and leave from the brewery's beer garden. They're generally 20-27mi long and the atmosphere and culture of the ride and post ride beers is great.

http://capitalbikeclub.org/

Feel free to check out my strava profile for some routes. The Buddha's Palm loop is pretty hill intense and FUN.

http://www.strava.com/athletes/578745