Day One: Holmen to Wilton

The weather looked clear and sunny as we got ready to set off for our two days of biking.  The storm the night before really did a job on the trees in Holmen. We originally had planned to start in Onalaska but Jeff mentioned that just 2 mlies from his house was the start of the Holmen Bike Trail.  So we headed to the park and rode the trail until it met up with the Great River Trail.  Onalaska is known as the Sunfish Capitol of the World, and it’s name comes from a poem by author Thomas Campbell. Originally the economies of Onalaska were built around sawmills and the lumber industries.  The added section of trails added 9.7 mikes to our ride.  

The Great River Trail begins on it’s western point near Marshland and then winds its way east to Onalaska, we picked up the trail just north of Holmen in Midway.  We used to drive past midway on our way to visit my uncle and his family, so adding this section of trail brought back some memories. We had to ride on the streets in Onalaska, but they had bike lanes marked so it was pretty easy. After we left Onalaska It’s only a few miles to the trail ending point of Medary WI. 

 

At Medary we pick up the La Crosse River Trail continuing eastward.  the trail is in decent shape given the storm a day earlier. However there are LOTS of trees down and we had to carry our bikes over trees.   Because of the trail shape and the added miles we are making poor time.  We take a short break to enjoy lunch in West Salem at mile mark 18.  West Salem was originally named just Salem but was changed when mail was being confused for another Wisconsin town also named Salem.  West Salem is home to octagonal houses built by the Palmer brothers the 1850s.   

  5 miles down the trail is our next break at Bangor.  The Village of Bangor was named after Bangor, Wales a name influenced by the many early settlers from Wales.   

    We roll right through Rockland Wi at mile mark 17. Whitch is basically a parking lot and a sign. Riockland is a very small village named after the rocky condition of the soil.    

  Six miles later we arrive at this trail end and the next trails starting point in Sparta. Sparta was named after the Greek city/state Sparta and is the country seat of Monroe County Wisconsin.   The Elroy Sparta Rail Trail is considered by many to be the original rail trail.  it was first opened for bike traffic in 1967 making this it’s 50th anniversary. I first rode they trail (with Jeff) as a kid when we did a portion of the trail with his drum and bugle corp.  That trip is still in my memory and one of the reasons why this trail was on my bucket list.  

  Sparta calls itself the Bicycle Capital of the World. The former train depot serves as an information center for the trail system.  There is also a gift shop and plenty of amenities for trail users to enjoy.  the Chicago and North Western Railroads ran trains along these paths years ago and at it’s peak as many as 6 passenger and 50 freight trains passed though this area daily.  Today the trail serves over 50 thousand bikers every year.   

Tunnel #3 (it seems we’re traveling the trail backwards) is the longest and most dramatic of three tunnels on this trail.  The tunnel is dark and cool and a welcome relief from the heat of the day.  the length of the tunnel is listed as 3810 feet or almost 3/4 miles. We stop and take a few photos before turing on our lights and making our way to the other side. The cool temps in the tunnel are a welcome relief as is the downhill section following the tunnel. It felt like we were climbing hills a lot today.   Next is Norwalk which is 3 miles from the tunnel at mile mark 34.  Norwalk is another small village that existed because of the railroad industry years ago.  The village was named after Norwalk Ohio where the founder had once lived. Now the afternoon sun is beating down on our backs and our legs are starting to tire.  The go is a little more slow and the breaks are a little more frequent.  We’re only a few miles from the end of day ones travel.  

  Tunnel #2 is only 4 miles away and at 1694 feet is half as long as Tunnel #3.  The doors are 20 feet tall. and according to the Internet they were opened and closed upto 60 times a day in the winter months for trains.  

  Another 2 miles down the trail and we make it to Wilton WI.  We have a bit of trouble finding the Trailside Bed and Breakfast because it's actually 3 miles down the trail ... Uphill... So after we check in we get a great meal at the Dorcett a Valley School a Restaurant and after a quick shower it's time for bed.  It was a long day and we logged 57.5 miles