CannonTracks - Southwest Wisconsin Tour

[Cannonshot]

This track is a scenic tour in the SW corner of WI and a sliver of far NW IL. It is about a 240 mile ride through an area that holds a lot of history from the 1800s. The ride starts across the Mississippi River from Dubuque, IA and ends in Galena, IL.

Things to enjoy along the route include:
-National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque (off the track but very nearby).
-A tour of what once was a significant lead mining region.
-A visit to a mine in Potosi, WI which Ripley says has the longest main street without a crossing in the world.
-A ride through the Cassville area which has a small ferry to cross the Mississippi River, Nelson Dewey State Park, and Stonefield Village which is an exhibit of WI farm life at the turn of the century.
-A ride along some gravel and asphalt roads winding along the east side of the Mississippi River.
-Wyalusing State Park which overlooks the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers from 500 feet atop the bluffs.
-Many routes through scenic hills, valleys, and twisties.
-The House on the Rock (a well known attraction – check the web for info).
-Governor Dodge State Park
-Shullsburg (mining town with a museum)
-Riding what once was a stagecoach road that ran from Galena to Chicago. Important line of communication in 1830s.
-A visit to Galena, IL which once was a thriving commerce center (more important than Chicago at the time) which is now a quaint tourist town.
-Camping is available in the state parks and Galena is a popular place for people to stay.



Google Earth



Map Overview



Segment 1



Segment 2



Segment 3



Segment 4


See post 6 for an updated GPX with a route.

[rokklym]

Very good route there Bryan! I've ridden all of that before, but not at one time.
another A+ for Cannonshot

[Cannonshot]

Originally Posted by rokklym

Very good route there Bryan! I've ridden all of that before, but not at one time.
another A+ for Cannonshot

Thanks Chad. If you are from that area, you know that there is some fun riding on those routes.

This loop and the driftless area loop (also listed in GPS Central) would be good alternatives for any road riders that want to be part of the gravel ride event that you host in that area. Let me know if I can help facilitate that (if you need anything beyond what is already posted). I would be glad to help.

[begeberg]

I have been up there on my bicycle to do the TOMRV ride from Dubuque to Galena and back but that is on the paved roads. Can you suggest a place to stay on the route. My seat on my DRZ doesn't permit more than about 100 miles a day at this time!

[Cannonshot]

Originally Posted by begeberg

I have been up there on my bicycle to do the TOMRV ride from Dubuque to Galena and back but that is on the paved roads. Can you suggest a place to stay on the route. My seat on my DRZ doesn't permit more than about 100 miles a day at this time!

http://www.dodgeville.com/vacation/lodging.html

[Cannonshot]

Updated this file with a route. Snipped the trackline into segments of 250 or less to accommodate more GPS units. Used a more current map to account for minor highway improvements.

[Saltydog86]

Bryan,
How much gravel is on this track? Looks like tomorrow is going to be a great day and thinking of taking the Misses and the Goldwing out on this.
Thanks,
Tim

[Cannonshot]

Originally Posted by Saltydog86

Bryan,
How much gravel is on this track? Looks like tomorrow is going to be a great day and thinking of taking the Misses and the Goldwing out on this.
Thanks,
Tim

I don't think you want to wing this one.

Try this one instead.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193155

[Cannonshot]

Replaced lost file.