Surfing around on the internet a while back, I found a ATV trail in Monroe WI , about 40 miles away from me. http://www.tricountytrails.com/ Recently I had a Sunday with no plans so I decided to go check it out. Had to buy a sticker to ride the trail $15 for the year. In Monroe they have an ATV route on some of the city streets, allowing the ATV-ers to get to gas stations and restaurants. No worries on the KLX, but must be nice for the un-plated guys.
Sticker

The trail is actually on an old rail bed, so it is level, flat, and wide . It was basically a narrow gravel road. Ok, not exactly what I was looking for, but it did have some nice scenery.




About midway the trail goes through the town of Darlington WI. They were having a big festival around their annual canoe race. I stopped for a bit and watched the parade.



Heading out of town on the "trail" (jeez it's paved in spots!!) I met one of the many groups of ATVers I saw that day. I would guess that 98% of the traffic on the trail was on 4 wheels.


From Monroe to Mineral Point is 47miles, pretty ride, but flat. About halfway another trail shoots off to various other towns. On my way to Mineral Point I see the side trail, and this sign.

Not fair!! It looks like a cool trail, not flat and straight. I talk to some folks coming off the trail on ATV's and ask if they know why no bikes.They don't know, and say they saw bikes on it as they rode it. I continue on the flat trail to Mineral Point.

Found my way to the end of the trail with no excitement, and headed back to Monroe. When I got to the side trail for ATV's only, I thought I'll just go up it a ways to see what it's like. Once I got going I never stopped. It still wasn't a gnarly singletrack, but at least it went up and down and twisted around some. Passed quite a few ATVers and they all gave friendly waves. This trail wove through farmland going around fields and through woods. Here the local ATV club erected a sign reminding riders to stay on the trail and not to screw up a good thing by pissing off the generous land owner. My bike fell over one second after I took this shot Good parking spot dummy. When mine falls over I pick it up before it quits running, sorry no dead bike shot.


These cows didn't bat an eye as I rode over the cattle guard and right past their little corner of the world.


At the end of the ATV trail was a little tavern and an ATV parking lot. Hamms, and PBR, nothing but the best!!

Love the sign at the ATV parking lot.


Getting late, so I forgo the trail back to Monroe and decide to slab it on home. Love the dualsport.
This is what Wisconsin looks like.



Stopped in Argyle for a little snack and found this old dam and powerplant. Looked like a nice shot.

All in all a good day. Threw down about 250 miles. Felt good to get home and grab a shower and a good meal.
Google map of the area. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...image&resnum=1

 

Nice report, I like the dedicated ATV trail/roads idea, still having a dual purpose bike is just as cool.

-Justin

 

Looks like it was a good dualsport type of ride, like the pics.

 

bump nice report and pics

 

Thanks.
Looked a good day out.

I'm impressed that ATV's etc are allowed to ride stuff like that at all.
Over here, anything not road registered is banned anywhere but in a few small locations. No trails as such.from.

 

Nice pix and report, thank you

 

looks like good times!

 

WE get a little taste of green in Feb or March (if we are lucky). Nice pics looks like a great place to ride. $15 for the year, that is easy on the wallet.

I used to bench mark entertainment with the price of a movie ticket. Now a movie is about $10 and you get 2 hours (without popcorn and a coke that will run you another $10) of entertianment (hopefully, if it did not suck).

After the up front cost of the bike (I just throw that right out the window) then the cost per hour is dirt cheap (ok bad pun). We can pay $20 (per Day) and use the local dirt track at Glen Helen (only on thrusdays). I have never done it but it sounds like fun...

Geez... ol I am just rambling on... I just dont want to get back to work

Nice photos through cheese country - thanks!

 

Awesome Pics!

 

You're living in the midst of some fantastic riding. All those wonderful paved alphabet roads plus tons of unpaved "ridge" and "coulee" roads.

Are you familiar with the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail? Also known as the ****.