Time to ride
UPAF’s Ride for the Arts has become the unofficial kickoff to the bicycling season in the Milwaukee area. Even though many people have been out for months riding, now it’s official: It’s time to ride! Milwaukee has a wide variety of places to enjoy by bike, and over the next three months I’ll highlight a different trail or trail segment every week.
We’ll start with the Oak Leaf Trail, featuring over 100 miles of multiple loops comprised of off-road paved trails, drives and municipal streets that runs through some of the city’s major parks.
Oak Leaf Trail- Southwest Segement
(View a larger map of the trail here)
Beautiful off-road paths and spacious, lightly traveled parkways best describe this section of the Oak Leaf trail in Milwaukee County, starting in Greenfield Park at 123rd and Lincoln and traveling to 60th and Ryan Rd. There are many different entry points along the way, so you can choose your route length to meet your needs.
This nearly 2 mile off-road section is pleasant to ride, and is popular with riders and walkers alike. At Beloit Rd, enjoy the safety of the trail underpass of this busy roadway. However, you won’t be so lucky when it comes time to cross Hwy 100. This is a very busy crossing. Be patient and wait for the breaks in the traffic — there are traffic lights to the north and south.
The path now takes you through the Wimmer wetlands. Watch out for water on the path after rainstorms. The path under Layton Ave. is also subject to flooding.
The next 4.5 miles wind along the Root River Parkway. You will enjoy beautiful scenery and a variety of wildlife, some new pavement and some old. If you so desire, you can take the Whitnall Park loop. This 3 mile path takes you through the park and past the Botanical Gardens. The loop is well worth it. Enjoy the beauty.
The Parkway ends at Hwy 36. An off-road path is under construction to take you to the crossing. Once across the highway, you will be riding a 2.5 mile bike path through a beautiful, undeveloped area. At Drexel you can continue south on the bike path spur 1.8 miles to Froemming Park and the Sports Complex. Our total distance is approximately 13.5 miles; add in the Whitnall loop and you have almost 17 miles.
Next week, we’ll ride along the Southeast segment of the Oak Leaf Trail.
The meat of the article begins with “Park your car…..” Really? How lame. Ride your bike. Or take the bus, which has a perfectly good rack on it you can use for free with your fare. Of course if you live in a cul-de-sac subdivision accessible only via 6 lane arterial roads with no sidewalks, you’re screwed and have to drive.
Mark- drop me a line if you’re going to do an urban mountain biking story. I can give you a tour of great MTBing right here in town.
One wonders why in the online community the pompous and pretentious must mingle their fingers with their keyboards. On a more interesting subject, biking on urban trails. Sounds like fun and is important. I can’t wait for the trails through the east side and the northern suburbs (great parks, great people).