My TrailLink

Wild Rivers State Trail

This commentary applies to the trail between Rice Lake and Minong. Unless you have masochist tendencies this is not a trail for bicycles of any flavor. As I write this the trail surface is loose, not compacted, gravel and sand. I met a dozen ATVs on the trail but there was no evidence of use by bicycles. After fighting the sand and gravel I gave up and rode County Rode SS and Lakeside Road from Trego to Minong where possible. (Three miles of Lakeside are gravel.) The museum in Spooner is worth stopping to visit. When I stopped one of the retired railroad engineers was on duty and had numerous interesting stories of the days when the trains ran. If you should insist on riding this trail attempt it with nothing less than 2 inch tires. There are facilities at Haugan, Sarona, Trego, and Lampion in addition to Rice Lake, Spooner, and Minong but carrying extra water is recommended. It's pretty country but if I was to do it again I would get a good county map, ride the county roads, and avoid the rail trail.

Gandy Dancer Trail - Southern Section

This review applies to the trail between Danbury and St. Croix Falls. While I did meet three bikers and a couple of hikers the trail does not appear to be heavily used. For most of the trail road bikes should have no problem. The exceptions of the portion of the trail from the parking lot in Danbury to the St. Croix River bridge and the portion of the trail that bypasses the Burnett County Airport. The trail to the bridge is very rough and sandy. I would not recommend it for anything other than a mountain bike with 2+ inch tires. If you have no other option walk to the bridge. It's only a half mile and the views are well worth the trouble. The trail around the Burnett airport is softer than than rest of the route and might give road bikes some problems. My ride was from North to South. The trail markers showing the distance to St. Croix Falls are accurate. There were facilities open in each of the towns along the trail. All-in-all it's highly recommend ride, pretty country all the way.

Mountain-Bay State Trail

This commentary applies to the trail between Eland and the Joe Bikeler's bike shop in Shawano. While I did meet a couple of bikers and two horseback riders, the trail does not appear to be heavily used. It is an easy trail to ride. Even after a week of rain, including the day before my ride, the trail surface was in good shape except for a few puddles and a down tree that required me to dismount and haul my bike through it. Because of caution on my part I rode with 2.2 inch tires but 1.5 inch tires would not have been a problem. I would not recommend road bikes with 25 mm or narrower tires. My ride was from West to East. The trail markers showing the distance to Shawano understate the distance by five miles. The unpaved portion of the trail ends at Maple Avenue with a direction sign that points in exactly the opposite direction you should turn to bike into Shawano. The sign is likely meant for snowmobiles. In any case, turn left, not right. (If you are coming from Shawano be advised that there is no indication that this is where the off-road portion of the trail begins.) Coming into Shawano signage is good until you reach the junction with County Road M. There is no indication that at this point one should leave the paved road and stay to left of the fence to resume the trail. The trail then crosses the Wolf River on the old railroad bridge and continues through down town Shawano. All-in-all it's a ride I would recommend, pretty country, saw deer and raccoon. The picturesque covered bridge on the trail has been built since the railroad was abandoned. There are facilities at Bowler, Gresham, and Lyndhurst in addition to Shawano. The bike shop had already closed when I arrived so if you need parts or assistance be sure to check its hours.

Wiouwash State Trail

This commentary only applies to the trail between Tigerton and Eland. Apparently the trail is not frequently used by bicycles. I met no one on my ride. This is an easy trail to ride. Even after a week of rain, including the day before my ride, the trail surface is in good shape except for a few puddles and some easily avoidable down trees that partially blocked the trail. Because of caution on my part I rode with 2.2 inch tires but 1.5 inch tires would not have been a problem. I would not recommend road bikes with 25 mm or narrower tires. Wittenberg is a problem. The trail enters town but there is no indication where the trail exits. Wittenberg is small enough that riding North bound one can sort of guess where the trail has to be by looking for old railroad-type buildings. A more interesting problem is where the trail crosses Highway 29, a 65 mph four lane divided highway. (Having driven that road it is clear that WI drivers consider 65 on that highway the minimum speed.) Getting across required waiting for a break in Eastbound traffic, dashing to the median strip, catch your breath, wait for a break in the West-bound traffic and repeat the process. The attached photo was taken after I survived the crossing. My final problem was that at one point the trail ended abruptly at a corn field. A sign tells you which way to make the initial turn but from then on you are on your own to discover where the trail resumes. All-in-all it's a ride I would recommend, pretty country, saw deer and wild turkey, but the Highway 29 crossing made it more adventurous then I expected. The only facilities on the portion of the trail I rode are at Wittenberg.