I want to start today’s post by returning, first, to yesterday. I want to thank WI Bike Fed and Rails to Trails for putting on such a fantastic, fun event celebrating the Great State Trails Adventure, their work on the Route of the Badger, and our collective efforts to expand bike infrastructure and connectivity in Wisconsin. The event was held at Wheel & Sprocket in Milwaukee and it was awesome to hear about the history of the franchise and founder Chris Kegel’s vision for a bike shop that does more than just sell bikes – a bike shop that serves as a resource hub, engaging in the community and bringing organizations together to “make the world a better place for bikes.” Bringing that vision to reality in their beautiful new Bay View location, the restored warehouse also provides office space for WI Bike Fed, Rails to Trails, and an event space that we used for the gathering.
It was inspiring to meet so many great, passionate people dedicated to developing inclusive and accessible bike infrastructure, including the Route of the Badger, which is a vision for a complete, interconnected trail system connecting all of Southeast Wisconsin’s existing trails with new trails, bike lanes, or dedicated and signed roadways. They are well on their way to achieving that vision with the extensive Oak Leaf Trail System, existing State Trails in the area, and the new 30th Street Corridor that is currently underway. Imagine if we could expand that vision to all of Wisconsin and have an interconnected system of trails and bikeways that are well signed and on one map all across Wisconsin!
I got to experience what this could look and feel like on my way out of Milwaukee this morning, which took me on the Hank Aaron State Trail past Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes, American Family Field (Go Brewers!), and the Zoo. Hank Aaron connects to the Root River Line of the Oak Leaf Trail system, which is well signed and runs all the way to the Milwaukee Sports Complex near Franklin, WI.
One of my favorite things about, especially urban, bike trails are all the overpasses and underpasses that make cycling (and driving) faster, safer, and more fun!
From there it is a short jaunt to the Seven Waters Bike Trail, which connects to the White River State Trail in Burlington. I rode the eastern segment out and back, then headed west to Elkhorn, which is much more pleasant and scenic than the eastern half, but all uphill (and into a headwind today)! There is a small gap in the White River Trail in the town of Burlington, and WI Bike Fed is working on extending the White River Trail eastward to Union Grove and Sturtevant. Always more work to be done connecting trails, connecting people, and making Wisconsin an even better place to ride a bike!
– Sarah
Today at a glance
Day 16 | Milwaukee to Elkhorn
Mileage: 80
Explore Nearby
Greenfield, WI | Managed by: Milwaukee County Parks
Root River Parkway is an urban trail following the Root River. Trail corridors like this one help animals safely move between fragmented habitat in developed areas, in addition to offering recreation for people.
Eau Claire, WI | Managed by: City of Eau Claire
Eau Claire's Pheonix Park boasts a walking labyrinth, an outdoor amphitheater, the Eau Claire Farmers Market, and the Chippewa River State Trail trailhead. Knowles-Nelson funds allowed for Phoenix Park’s development and expansion.
Chippewa County, WI | Managed by: WI DNR
Tom Lawin Wildlife Area is a 2,282-acre public hunting and wildlife preserve. It's also a birding hotspot, with visitors frequently spotting waterfowl, shorebirds, American bitterns, harriers, and short-eared owls. Knowles-Nelson funded land purchases for the preserve’s expansion.
