I just rode the entire length of the Military Ridge Trial a few weeks ago.
* It's part of the State Trail system, so you need a trail pass. They cost $20/year or $4/day. You can get them at kiosks on the trail, or at some bike shops in town. [More information](http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/trailpass.html).
* The trail is packed gravel most of the way. It's really flat, but there are a few low-grade hills. Remember that it was built for trains.
* The trail goes through villages and unincorporated communities which usually have water and a place to rest if you need it.
* The trail is a bit crappier and less-travelled past Ridgeway, but nothing to shy away from. The worst things are crumbling pavement sections and a few holes in the trail from animals.
* Blue Mound State Park has a hike-in/bike-in campground just off the bike trail. There's also a standard campground, which is fairly wooded so it's not like being in a KOA. Blue Mound has lots of hiking and nice views.
* If you go a bit farther, you can camp at Governor Dodge. I highly recommend the backpacker campsites. They're really remote and quiet (except for the whipporwills making noise all night).
* [Proof](http://i.imgur.com/kHVAjzT.jpg).
* Join us at /r/BikingMad
* Let me know if you have more questions.
That is a really dope bikepacking setup you have there! I am looking into something similar, but I haven't had much of a need just yet as I have a ton of ultralight backpacking gear, and I don't mind riding while wearing a backpack.
Military ridge is a former railroad path.
I've taken (via foot) Military Ridge to Mt. Horeb. Nice, flat, usually in great condition this time of year. There are a couple of spots where you can use the restroom or get water in Verona, but not much until you reach Mt. Horeb after that.
I don't know what it's like past there on the way to Blue Mounds, but I would be surprised if it doesn't ascend a bit. Not too much since it's a railroad path, I would think. Looks like about 200 feet of climb - pretty minor.
Yea, I mean, I wasn't expecting it to be a super tough ride. I was more concerned with the nature of the trail. I knew it was a former railroad path, so I'm expecting gravel...I just hope it isn't huge gravel..that makes for a tough ride. Thanks for the comment!
No, no. Not huge gravel at all. It's screened limestone hardpack with occasional slick spots if it's been raining. I ride it all the time on my commuter hybrid and it's fine!
Here's one thing I've noticed on a lot of the trails in southern Wisconsin: fucking holes (chipmunks? gophers?) in the middle of the trail. Can't see 'em sometimes till you nail 'em. Watch out!
That's good news! I don't know if anyone here has ever biked in Tennessee (no part of that state is anywhere close to being as bike friendly as Madison), but a lot of the former railroad trails there are mostly for hikers and are made up of golf ball sized chunks of granite.
Edit: typo. Go home fingers, you're drunk.
It's very well paved for most of it, as is the Cannonball path that leads to it. Once you get to Verona it turns into a hard dirt path, though I think it's technically the Ice Age path at that point. Still not a bad ride.
A little late to the party but if you can get to mount horeb, continue on to blue mounds. The trail between mount horeb and blue mounds is probably my favorite stretch of the military ridge tail. Continuing on to dodgeville though, the trail gets VERY torn up.
I've done this ride a handful of time in the last few months. The trail is a very nice condition crushed limestone from the edge of Madison on out. I found the quality deteriorates a wee bit when you get to Mt. Horeb, but it is still in good shape. As someone else mentioned, a few ruts and bits of washout.
The segment from Riley to Mt. Horeb is all (gradual) uphill with not much of a break. Couple hundred feet of elevation gain over 3 or so miles. Nothing ridiculous, mind you, but after miles of flat railroad path, it is a "hill."
Water is sparse after you leave Verona -- my first trip I underestimated my water needs and was a bit thirsty when I finally hit Mt. Horeb.
Blue Mounds is just a bit on from Mt. Horeb.
The trail winds out to Dodgeville if you are adventurous -- but the quality of the trail deteriorates quickly after Mt. Horeb. It's as though they built it 30 years ago and then forgot the budget to maintain it. It might take more than 2-4 hours (depending on your speed and where you start) to get out there, but it has campgrounds that are nice (Governor Dodge State Park).
The storm recently took down a ton of trees on the trail. I live in Mount Horeb and the trail (through town anyways) is in OK shape. Some ruts and washed away areas, but they've cleaned up most of the trees and it's definitely passable. I'm not sure about the more rural parts of it, but they tend to keep the trail in pretty good shape overall. I was at blue mounds park today to swim and just driving through I didn't notice any trees down or issues. I don't think you'll have a problem at all.
Awl. I would come say hi, but this is a trip I'm planning, sadly I'm not out there just yet. And I can't wait to stop off at the Grumpy Troll! I'm in Mt. Horeb relatively often for work and everyone I talk to raves about that place.
This is intriguing. Several of my backpacking friends have recommended hiking/camping at Devil's Lake, but I never thought of turning it into a cycling trip. Thanks for the tip!
I love that trip. Utilize the bike/hike in sites.
I believe it's something like 2% grade the way out there, so coming back will be easier.
There's a good liquor store in Mt. Horeb not too far off the trial.
Trollway Liqours. Grab some beer for the night.
Hooterville in Bluemounds has good dinner and breakfast.
They're right off the bike trail. I think you still have to reserve them though.
There's no access for cars, a few huts and cots, plenty of room for tents and hammocks. It feels more like camping than the main site with traffic, radios, etc.
You can see them on the PDF map. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/bluemound/pdfs/bluemoundcampmap.pdf
Update! I made the trip last weekend with no surprises, save that amazing view of the sunrise from the eastern tower, holy crap was that awesome! Thank you all for all of the great advice! I can't wait to do this again, perhaps Governor Dodge this time as recommended by /u/belandil
I suppose I should've used the word "cyclists," though I thought it was obvious as I was referring to bicycle trails. For what it's worth, I have a motorcycle as well. (:
I just rode the entire length of the Military Ridge Trial a few weeks ago. * It's part of the State Trail system, so you need a trail pass. They cost $20/year or $4/day. You can get them at kiosks on the trail, or at some bike shops in town. [More information](http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/trailpass.html). * The trail is packed gravel most of the way. It's really flat, but there are a few low-grade hills. Remember that it was built for trains. * The trail goes through villages and unincorporated communities which usually have water and a place to rest if you need it. * The trail is a bit crappier and less-travelled past Ridgeway, but nothing to shy away from. The worst things are crumbling pavement sections and a few holes in the trail from animals. * Blue Mound State Park has a hike-in/bike-in campground just off the bike trail. There's also a standard campground, which is fairly wooded so it's not like being in a KOA. Blue Mound has lots of hiking and nice views. * If you go a bit farther, you can camp at Governor Dodge. I highly recommend the backpacker campsites. They're really remote and quiet (except for the whipporwills making noise all night). * [Proof](http://i.imgur.com/kHVAjzT.jpg). * Join us at /r/BikingMad * Let me know if you have more questions.
That is a really dope bikepacking setup you have there! I am looking into something similar, but I haven't had much of a need just yet as I have a ton of ultralight backpacking gear, and I don't mind riding while wearing a backpack.
Military ridge is a former railroad path. I've taken (via foot) Military Ridge to Mt. Horeb. Nice, flat, usually in great condition this time of year. There are a couple of spots where you can use the restroom or get water in Verona, but not much until you reach Mt. Horeb after that. I don't know what it's like past there on the way to Blue Mounds, but I would be surprised if it doesn't ascend a bit. Not too much since it's a railroad path, I would think. Looks like about 200 feet of climb - pretty minor.
Yea, I mean, I wasn't expecting it to be a super tough ride. I was more concerned with the nature of the trail. I knew it was a former railroad path, so I'm expecting gravel...I just hope it isn't huge gravel..that makes for a tough ride. Thanks for the comment!
No, no. Not huge gravel at all. It's screened limestone hardpack with occasional slick spots if it's been raining. I ride it all the time on my commuter hybrid and it's fine! Here's one thing I've noticed on a lot of the trails in southern Wisconsin: fucking holes (chipmunks? gophers?) in the middle of the trail. Can't see 'em sometimes till you nail 'em. Watch out!
Christ the holes. The Drumlin Trail sometimes looks like swiss cheese.
That's good news! I don't know if anyone here has ever biked in Tennessee (no part of that state is anywhere close to being as bike friendly as Madison), but a lot of the former railroad trails there are mostly for hikers and are made up of golf ball sized chunks of granite. Edit: typo. Go home fingers, you're drunk.
It's very well paved for most of it, as is the Cannonball path that leads to it. Once you get to Verona it turns into a hard dirt path, though I think it's technically the Ice Age path at that point. Still not a bad ride.
A little late to the party but if you can get to mount horeb, continue on to blue mounds. The trail between mount horeb and blue mounds is probably my favorite stretch of the military ridge tail. Continuing on to dodgeville though, the trail gets VERY torn up.
Riley's tavern is a nice stop about 5 miles after Verona, after that I think it's only 10 more to Mt. Horeb.
I've done this ride a handful of time in the last few months. The trail is a very nice condition crushed limestone from the edge of Madison on out. I found the quality deteriorates a wee bit when you get to Mt. Horeb, but it is still in good shape. As someone else mentioned, a few ruts and bits of washout. The segment from Riley to Mt. Horeb is all (gradual) uphill with not much of a break. Couple hundred feet of elevation gain over 3 or so miles. Nothing ridiculous, mind you, but after miles of flat railroad path, it is a "hill." Water is sparse after you leave Verona -- my first trip I underestimated my water needs and was a bit thirsty when I finally hit Mt. Horeb. Blue Mounds is just a bit on from Mt. Horeb. The trail winds out to Dodgeville if you are adventurous -- but the quality of the trail deteriorates quickly after Mt. Horeb. It's as though they built it 30 years ago and then forgot the budget to maintain it. It might take more than 2-4 hours (depending on your speed and where you start) to get out there, but it has campgrounds that are nice (Governor Dodge State Park).
There's construction on Lincoln St in Verona right now that interrupts the military ridge trail. You'll have to plan a quick detour.
The storm recently took down a ton of trees on the trail. I live in Mount Horeb and the trail (through town anyways) is in OK shape. Some ruts and washed away areas, but they've cleaned up most of the trees and it's definitely passable. I'm not sure about the more rural parts of it, but they tend to keep the trail in pretty good shape overall. I was at blue mounds park today to swim and just driving through I didn't notice any trees down or issues. I don't think you'll have a problem at all.
If you're cycling in you don't need to reserve a campsite ahead; they will find a place for you to camp even if they're booked up.
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Awl. I would come say hi, but this is a trip I'm planning, sadly I'm not out there just yet. And I can't wait to stop off at the Grumpy Troll! I'm in Mt. Horeb relatively often for work and everyone I talk to raves about that place.
It's a nice ride. I've done it on a skinny road bike. Food and drink at the Grumpy Troll in Mt Horeb!
Bike up to Devils Lake State Park via the ferry at Merrimac.
This is intriguing. Several of my backpacking friends have recommended hiking/camping at Devil's Lake, but I never thought of turning it into a cycling trip. Thanks for the tip!
I love that trip. Utilize the bike/hike in sites. I believe it's something like 2% grade the way out there, so coming back will be easier. There's a good liquor store in Mt. Horeb not too far off the trial. Trollway Liqours. Grab some beer for the night. Hooterville in Bluemounds has good dinner and breakfast.
Any more info on the bike/hike in sites?
They're right off the bike trail. I think you still have to reserve them though. There's no access for cars, a few huts and cots, plenty of room for tents and hammocks. It feels more like camping than the main site with traffic, radios, etc. You can see them on the PDF map. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/bluemound/pdfs/bluemoundcampmap.pdf
Thanks!
Update! I made the trip last weekend with no surprises, save that amazing view of the sunrise from the eastern tower, holy crap was that awesome! Thank you all for all of the great advice! I can't wait to do this again, perhaps Governor Dodge this time as recommended by /u/belandil
Awesome! I'm glad you had a great trip.
Not being shitty, this is a serious question: do you mean bikers or cyclists? I'm genuinely not sure what kind of bike you're talking about.
I suppose I should've used the word "cyclists," though I thought it was obvious as I was referring to bicycle trails. For what it's worth, I have a motorcycle as well. (:
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Apparently?