madison cyclists' overnight camping trips
Each summer, a small group of mostly Madison cyclists does a number
of overnight bicycle camping trips in southwestern Wisconsin. The scenery and
excellent secondary road system make this area one of the greatest anywhere for
bicycle touring. We welcome new members interested in self-contained overnight
bicycle touring.
An email list is used to set up the trips. The schedule is subject to change,
and additional trips may be added at the last minute when weather looks
favorable.
If you would like to join us this season, please contact:
Scott Ellington
s1@x35x9sdel6x7x4lin5x5x3gton.us
(Remove all the numbers and x's after @)
The trips are informal and often organized on short
notice, especially in spring and fall. Most are 2-3 day weekend trips.
Campsites are usually town or county parks. We carry our own gear, maintaining
the brief illusion of independence from the automobile. Daily distances average
40-60 miles, sometimes in hilly terrain. Shorter options are usually available.
Some trips start in Madison, while others require driving to the start.
Motorized mid-route rendezvous are discouraged.
Maps are provided with the route marked on them,
but there are no cue sheets. While we do not sweep the route, and the group
often gets separated, we try make sure no one gets lost or left behind. (We've
never lost anyone yet, at least not permanently.) These are not guided tours,
but we'll provide help to those new to overnight touring. Your bike should be in good mechanical
condition and you should at least be
able to fix a flat tire. If you are new to overnight biking, many of us have
equipment you may borrow.
For more information on Wisconsin
overnight touring, including a list of recommended equipment, see:
Wisconsin Overnight Touring Guide (PDF)
For stories and photos of previous rides, see:
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Here's a link to Up and Over:
Ferocious hills and a wild landscape mark a bicycle ride through coulee
country, an article by Elizabeth
McBride about one of these overnight tours. It originally appeared in the
April 1994 issue of Wisconsin Trails . |
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