along high ridges like horse Collar Bend, hillsides, acres of cornfields, and family Lake State Park — a collection of interest-
the highest road in the hill Country. farms straight out of a Norman Rockwell ing geology, diverse fauna, and prehistoric
Then I recommend you spend three painting. Better still is the 715-mile state effigy mounds — is only a short ride.
full days cycling the rolling hills near trail system. Most feature a crushed The town of Reedsburg is your next
Fredericksburg, where one loop ride takes limestone surface (asphalt within some city destination. The 23-mile 400 State Trail
you to Enchanted Rock, a huge pink dome limits), but are easily ridden with full begins here, the first of three continuous
of bare slickrock. On another, you cycle to
the Willow City Loop, famed for its stun-
ning panoramas and blazing displays of
bluebonnets each spring. Both rides take
you through the heart of the hills, past
stone and log farmhouses built more than
a century ago by German pioneers, and
through miles of open range where herds of
sheep and goats often wander on the roads.
Motels abound in Fredericksburg,
which is an excellent place to overnight,
as are Kerrville, Laekey, Rock Springs, and
Junction. State parks with campgrounds
also exist near most overnight stops. My
recommended route will have you pedal
nearly 400 miles, with an average day’s ride
ney
of 55 miles, all on paved roads. Though
hA
k
C it’s possible to ride the hill Country year-
hu
C
round, the best times are spring and fall
— mid-March through mid-May, and mid-
O
ell September through mid-November. The oldest trail. Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta Trail is America’s first rail-trail.
O
C
Resources: The website www.tourvelo.
ennis
d
org/txhills.html covers every aspect of Hill touring gear on tires as narrow as 28C. The trails that will take you along 76 off-road
Country bike touring, including maps, when to concentration of trails in the west side of miles to LaCrosse.
Threading the needles. Touring an arid stretch of the Texas Hill Country on the 100-Mile Mountain Loop. go, state park campgrounds, overnight accom- the state running from Madison to LaCrosse The 400 Trail connects you with the
modations, caveats, and a complete day-by- makes for a top-notch bike-touring route in 32-mile Elroy-Sparta Trail, reputed to be
holes to transform even an average sea dweller the patio at the Brick Oven and a bargain Texas hill country day tour itinerary with a route description. a state full of riding opportunities. the first rail-trail in the country. It also fea-
into the ultimate high-altitude metabolizing, priced bed and shower at the hostel in Eighty miles west of Austin, the Texas --Norman Ford I rode there in 2007, and here’s the route tures three exciting tunnels, which require
pizza-destroying machine. Camping and hotel Crested Butte. hill Country is a scenic, uncrowded region I recommend: from Madison, go west on the lights. As an important part of the local
options along the way will accommodate the The route’s king climb is a gravel jeep of wooded hills and clear, spring-fed streams Wisconsin’s historic Trails Military Ridge Trail, a bucolic 41-mile trail economy, cafes, B&Bs, and campgrounds
wallets of both tent-toting and credit-card track over 13,000-foot Engineer Pass. One that offers some of the best road biking in When most people think of Wisconsin that follows an 1855 military road. Exit the sit along the trail or a short ride from it.
cyclotourists. This route is best attempted of the highest roads in the country, it’s not America’s Sunbelt, especially fall through they picture cheese, beer, and the Packers. Military Ridge Trail at Mt. horab and travel At the old rail depot in Kendall, now the
on a fat-tired rig with low gearing in late for the faint of heart but rewards riders spring when most northern states are bur- Bicyclists, however, should be thinking of north to Merrimac, crossing Wisconsin trail headquarters and museum, you can
summer, after gravely backroads and high with well-endowed vistas and a curvaceous ied in snow. The two top cycling areas are, low-traffic county roads that pass forested River via a free ferry. From there, Devil’s purchase a shower or buy a few bike sup-
passes are free from snow. descent along the Million Dollar highway first: the network of low-traffic backroads
Leaving Frisco, the trifecta of Freemont to the Ouray hot Springs. From there, enjoy that web the hills around Fredericksburg, a
Pass (11,320 feet), Cottonwood Pass (12,126 endless views of the San Juan Mountains town founded by German pioneers where
feet), and Kebler Pass (10,000 feet) will add along the Dallas Divide and into the spec- biergartens and German culture still flour- Join the fun in the
a covetous notch on the belt of even the tacular box canyon environs of Telluride. ish; and second: the spectacular 100-Mile
most accomplished touring cyclist. These Resources: Bicycle repair, shipping, and Mountain Loop in the western hills where
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure!
climbs are interspersed with iconic views receiving at Wilderness Sports in Frisco: it’s more like Switzerland than Texas.
of the Rockies, colorful aspen stands, and (970) 668-8804 and Telluride Sports: (970) In a single week, this author’s favorite
June 20-27, 2009 • GOBA’s 21st Annual ride across Ohio!
a gentle descent through fly-fishing coun- 728-4477). The Colorado Department of bike tour takes you exploring the most
try along the Taylor River. Don’t miss pit Transportation (www.dot.state.co.us) pro- exciting and rewarding roads in both areas
3,000 People • 7 Days & Nites in June • 350 Miles
Presented by Sponsored by
stops at Bongo Billy’s Coffee house, Mothers vides regular update on pass conditions and (see Resources). While pedaling the full
It all adds up to the biggest and best bicycle tour in the East!
Bistro, and Cottonwood hot Springs in the road closures. length of the 100-Mile Mountain Loop you
burgeoning adventure town of Buena Vista. -Gregg Bleakney will ride for miles through the canyons of
Register Now! 614-273-0811 or www.goba.com
Enjoy microbrews and enormous pizzas on rivers like the Frio and Nueces, and wind
16 adventure cyclist january 2009 adventurecycling.org adventure cyclist january 2009 adventurecycling.org 17
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