[FishMan473]

I thought I posted this once but now I can't find it, so I'll try again.

I'm moving back to the Midwest soon, possibly to Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. Is there any good riding in that area? Seems like road riding won't be a problem, but what about mountain biking?

 

[~martini~]

While I'm not from the PDC area specifically, there is a fair amount of riding fairly close to there. Of course, like most midwest riding, it requires one to drive to ride....

Yellow River State Forest is just across the border in IA. Personally, I haven't been there yet, but there are reports of many good miles of trails there.

Decorah IA, is also close. roughly 10 miles of trail that is super fun to ride right in town. There's more there too, but head out w/a local and they'll show the goods.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve has roughly 18 miles or more of true singletrack, and lots more of double track in 8500 acres.

Platteville WI has the Blockhouse Roll race late every year on a private farm. I'm not sure if they sell passes or what for the rest of the year though.

Richland Center has some trails close to town at Ash Creek County Park.

Blue Mounds State Park near Madison has some killer trails.

I'd be willing to bet that there's some goods in or near PDC as well. Check the county website for parks. That's a good place to start.

Of course you need to do the obvious, and when you move to town, look for the hook up at the local bike shop!

 

[FishMan473]

Thanks, that's a good chunk of info. It looks like the yellow river state forest in IA might be within riding distance, otherwise it looks like weekend rides to these other sites.

Any idea of where the closest bike shop might be? The nearest I can find is Momentum Bikes & Boards way over in Platteville.

 

[FishMan473]

state parks?

Oh I forgot to ask, is mountain biking typically allowed in Wisconsin state and county forests, and parks? In IL only a few state parks, and very few county parks allow mountain biking. But then again I know that Kettle Morain allows riding.

 

[~martini~]

No problem. Beta is always easy to get out to folks moving in. As far as riding in county parks goes, its always up to the indivdual county. I guess it depends on how 'enlightened' the local land managers are. State forests, as far as I know, are open unless noted closed. But then, I haven't lived in state very long(just over a year). Bitflogger should know. I'm sure he'll see this thread soon enough.

I forgot that PDC is so close to Yellow River, This could be a VERY good thing for you. You must've found the IA state forest website and looked at the maps. Here's one just in case you missed the map(or if anyone else reading wants to see). Looks like lots of good potential for riding, that's for sure. I'm about an hour from there in Viroqua.

 

[allenpg]

My parents live in PDC. Wyalusing State Park is there...has some great hills. I've run them, but there are MTB trails. I'm glad to hear of the trail options in the area though. I still have to check out Blue Mound. I mostly hit Kettle.

 

[FishMan473]

nice!

well, Wyalusing, with 7.7 miles of trails open to MTB's is almost riding distance from PdC (maybe it is if I can sneak across that railroad bridge across the Wi River). Pikes Peak State Park is within riding distance, just across the river in IA, and looks to have close to 10 miles of trails open to bikes. Yellow River and Decora are just a short drive away too, other opportunities not too far away for an summer day after work, and of course lots of opportunities for weekend trips in the area.

Add to that all the canoeing, fishing, road biking, hiking, xc skiing, and photography opportunities the area seems to offer and I'm getting pretty psyched about this job opportunity. Now I just have to wait for them to call me back....

I'm pretty spoiled living in Flagstaff currently with over 100 miles of trails within riding distance of my overprice apartment. But this area lacks... water, and nice big fat oak trees. I didn't think I could find anywhere more fun then here to live, maybe I was wrong.

Thanks loads guys!

 

[~martini~]

Yeah, tha road riding here is mind bendingly good. Damn near as fun as the mountain biking.

 

[Nater]

Yep...

Yeah, tha road riding here is mind bendingly good. Damn near as fun as the mountain biking.

Nothing like 60mph descents to make you like road riding a little!

 

[gubawatts]

Posting a little late on this one... but I'm originally from PDC, live in the Green Bay area now. I've ridden what's available at Wyalusing... unless you're a novice, don't bother. Most of it is just mowed field, about 20 feet wide, and with no defined "trail". The rest is some ski trail but still novice material.

Haven't ridden Pikes Peak across the river in Iowa, but I did do some reconnaissance there when I was home at Thanksgiving, looks promising, not real technical, but plenty of elevation to keep you busy.

I've heard good things about Blue Mound.

Also, there is a 24hr race run near Ferryville, just up the river from PDC a few minutes, at a place called Sugar Creek, I don't see it listed in any trail directories anywhere so I don't know if that's open to the public or not. I intend to check into that next time I get down that way.

It's too bad more single track hasn't been developed in that area, that bluff country along the Wisconsin and Mississippi River valleys has some incredible potential.

 

[pinguwin]

Inquire locally as their are surprising number of informal trails in WI. They might only be a few miles and not marked, so if you don't know where they are, you won't find them. Try a LBS and if they don't know, they might point you out to someone who does.

Penguin

 

[Nater]

Not open to public...

I've heard good things about Blue Mound.

Blue Mound is very good and getting better...Not sure how far it is from PDC though.

Also, there is a 24hr race run near Ferryville, just up the river from PDC a few minutes, at a place called Sugar Creek, I don't see it listed in any trail directories anywhere so I don't know if that's open to the public or not. I intend to check into that next time I get down that way.

Sugar Creek is a bible camp and generally isn't open to the public. One way to get some time in there before the race date is to participate in a trail work day. Talk to the boys at Smith's Cycling and Fitness in LaCrosse or ~martini~ will probably have the low down on that info too.