/r/BikingMad
This subreddit is for the Madison area's cycling community. Madison, Wisconsin primarily, but we accept wayward visitors from Madison, Alabama's cycling community too. We encourage questions, discussion, and input from cyclists of all ages and abilities.
A COMMUNITY OF BICYCLISTS
Rules for road riding in Wisconsin. Read 'em.
The City of Madison's Bicycle Information Page
Other Local Subreddits
/r/madisonwi, /r/wisconsin, /r/paddlewisconsin
GET INVOLVED
Advocacy Organizations
Madison Bikes - Madison's most active bike advocacy group.
Wisconsin Bike Fed - Wisconsin advocacy group focused on statewide issues.
Madison Committees
City Council - City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The council gives the last stamp of approval for city spending projects, including streets projects and new bikeway construction. Council approved items then go to the Mayor for approval. In the event of a Mayoral veto, the council can override the veto with a 2/3's margin.
Transportation Policy and Planning Board - Usually meets the 1st Monday of each month. This committee examines policy around local transportation and transportation planning for the City of Madison.
Transportation Commission - Usually meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. This committee is the first to approve specific roadway/bikeway geometrics, which then heads to the Board of Public Works, and finally to Common Council for final approval.
Board of Public Works - This board meets the 1st Wednesday of each month, and is generally the lead on street reconstruction projects, and has some say over how streets are reconstructed, including whether or not quality bike infrastructure is included (or more frequently not) with street reconstruction projects.
Dane County Committees
County Board - The County Board has final approval over all county spending projects, including bike trails, acquisition of parkland, shoulders on county highways, and other such things.
Park Commission - This committee oversees County Parks projects, which include many of the Dane County maintained bike trails including both the Upper and Lower Yahara River Trails, the Capital City State Trail, and others.
Public Works and Transportation Committee - This committee mainly oversees public works projects for Dane County, but they also see such items of interest as jurisdictional transfers (e.g. the disputes between Dane County and Madison over maintenance of Cottage Grove Rd. and Buckeye Rd.) and road reconstruction projects.
Is anything missing? Is anything out of date? Please message the moderator and the sidebar will be updated!
/r/BikingMad
Has anyone parked their bike at the airport for any length of time before? I know an employee at the airport that bikes there, but I don't know where the bike rack is or how safe it would be to lock a ~$700 bike there for a week or so. I could use my nice chain lock and u-lock and probably my crappy cable lock too.
Hello:
I'm looking for (relatively) good / safe way(s) to bike from Middleton (University + Parmenter Street area) to pick up the Cap City Trail. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Visiting Madison in about a week and planning to ride about ~50mi. Looking for a good route that's scenic and shows off the best of the area, and was considering a combination of these loops:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48206345
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48152749
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39304897
Any other suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!
Considering buying a Surly Ogre for in town pickup truck duty and commuting year round. Anyone here in Madison own a M or L size they’d be open to showing off a bit? Would love to try out for general sizing before I buy through a local shop but none carry it in stock!
Bikes, soccer, and community gardens are a much safer and more desirable amenity in Sycamore Park. Ask the Common Council to remove the Nakoosa Trail Extension from the Northeast Area Plan.
Additionally, email allalders@cityofmadison.com to provide more feedback.
Come ride the new trail at Sycamore Park...it is very fun.
Let 'em know you say 'no thank you' to cars in the park by signing this petition.
https://www.change.org/p/urge-the-common-council-to-amend-the-northeast-area-plan-in-madison
I feel that I've conquered most of the bike paths around the area this summer. I'm looking for something similar to cap city trail/lake loop and bike paths outside of the Madison area. Does anyone have any recommendations for other places to go and ride. Can be far away or nearby distance wise.
Sorry if this isnt the best place for this (hapy to hear where else I could go with this) but I injured myself and cannot ride the door county century and am trying to find someone to sell my ticket to :(.
Hi all!
I imagine this is quite the shot in the dark, but I lost my planet bike usb tail light (super flash model) on a ride out past Lacy on the SW commuter path just an hour or so ago. My route ran from S. Hill Dr. And Segoe (last time I recall having it) and Lacy along the commuter path (when I realized I didn’t have it anymore).
I took the same route home and couldn’t find it… Would gladly buy someone a drink if they happen to find it and want to give it back lol.
All the best and safe riding to you all!
Hello. Are there any bike shops in the area, preferably on the west side, that service internal gear hubs? I'm looking for a place that will re-lubricate my Shimano Nexus 7 speed. Thanks in advance.
I enjoy cycling...but I'm simply not at the level of fitness to sustain a 15+ mph pace... honestly I'm more around 10 or so. Do I have any options for local rides? or am I out of luck?
I’m visiting door county in May, and I’m looking to ride some single track. I saw on Trailforks that there are some trails near Sturgeon Bay called Snowkraft. Google says they are permanently closed but they have recent photos on instagram
Anyone know if these trails are accessible, and how to access them?
I don't go very vast (never over 15 mph when it is crowded). Today was the worst: I rang my bell before passing this guy on the left. As I am passing him he swerved right towards me (honestly it seemed intentional), but didn't make contact. I yelled woah and continued passing him. He caught up to me at the light on charter and just started arguing with me. When I pointed out that it probably wasn't safe to ride with earbuds since he couldn't hear my bell he just went off and swore at meI know I probably shouldn't have responded or engaged at all. He then took off before the light changed to green and wouldn't let me pass (I didn't try very hard, I was just trying to avoid him at this point).
In a prior incident I was passing a woman on an e-bike and something similar happened, but wasn't that close. She said I needed to call out, I told her I did, and she proceeded to lecture me from Monroe street to the belt-line overpass.
The fact this has happened to me the past 2 times I used the bike path makes me think maybe it is me? Is 15 too fast? Maybe my bell isn't loud enough? Maybe I just have a face that ticks people off? Both of them appeared to be in the boomer age range.
Devastating news. Stay safe, everyone! Please always wear a helmet, assume every driver is an idiot who doesn't see you, and avoid the fast 30+ MPH roads with unprotected bike lanes as much as possible. My heart goes out to any of this bicyclist's loved ones
https://www.wmtv15news.com/2024/03/16/bicyclist-killed-crash-madisons-east-side/?outputType=amp
This warm weather has me thinking of biking and summer plans, and I figured this sub might appreciate a route idea a friend and I have tried out and plan to try out again.
A few years ago, we noticed that Military Ridge, Badger State, and Cheese Country trails form an almost perfect 130 mile loop through the Driftless Area out of Madison, and decided to try bike-packing for the first time. We decided to take it very easy and spread it out over 3 days - starting out of Darlington, we headed north and camped at Blue Mounds, then the next night made to Madison and down to New Glarus Woods for another night. A rain storm unfortunately had us call it quits early!
We both live in Madison now - which makes a different idea more practical. Still heading out of Darlington, one could do half the loop one day, sleep at home, and return to the car the next day even at a pretty leisurely pace. I'm hopeful it will make for a fun weekend trip.
Only a few caveats - the Cheese Country Trail was a bit rough for us the first trip, as it's also used by ATVs and can be a little rugged in spots; the tunnel on Badger State of course is still closed; and the stretch from Mineral Point and Dodgeville is on the road and I think on the highway for a bit. Other than that, it's smooth sailing and beautiful views of the countryside. Some of you who are more in shape and dedicated than we are could probably do it in a day!
Norm organized and led many group rides in the Madison area and also multi-day events in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also worked at several Madison area bike shops, most recently Motorless Motion.
He recently passed away and I wanted to share his obit here: https://www.gundersonfh.com/obituaries/Norman-Paul-Moore?obId=30659025
Services are on Monday and the details are in the link above.
I’m about to buy a trek 7000 bike and wanted to double check what size the wheels were. I’m a little new to biking and don’t really know where to find this sort of thing. I’ve looked a few places but haven’t found a definitive answer, but I think it’s a 29. Does anyone know for sure?
Hey all, I'm curious if anyone has taken a ride from Madison to Chicago or the suburbs and what routes you found to be relatively safe and comfortable. I'm looking into taking this ride this summer, likely with one stop about midway for an overnight. Right now I'm zeroing in on the Glacial drumlin to MKE (Any hotels that would be friendly to storing my bike there?) and then a mix of trails and roads down to the city. I'm curious if there are any different routes that might go down around Rockford with any stops or your experience if you've done something similar. Cheers!
Feel free to post anything to do with biking or trails
Hello,
any suggestions routes (gpx) for road biking (paved road) from Madison for someone who likes endurance (like 30-60 mile rides)?
2 requests in particular:
1)Ideal destination with good view, restaurant, something nature-wise and a loopt that gets you back to the city?
2)one-way trip to Milwaukee (I know there is one using an unpaved trail but I dont trust that with my race/road bike tires).
Thanks!!!
I'd love a more central spot to find rides. If it doesnt exist, I volunteer as tribute to get it going!
hey all, anxious to begin the bikepacking season and want to get off to the best start. looking for recommendations for a professional bike fit in Madison for my bikepacking bike. thanks!
Free or paid, considering all safe options. Bike parking during the shower is an adjacent issue, especially considering saddlebags and belongings.