Wisconsin and Minnesota have an abundance of rail-trails, spread out across the state. We will ride the famous Elroy Sparta Trail, the Great River Trail and Minnesota's wonderful Root River Trail on this adventure. This tour is short and sweet, with lots of biking on some outstanding rail trails. To make things even sweeter, we will spend all 4 nights at the same Mississippi River waterfront hotel in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin. Join us!

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most difficult, this tour is rated a 4- Intermiediate Plus. Wisconsin's State trails are mostly crushed rock and are quite smooth. Minnesota's Root River Trail is all paved. We do not recommend tires smaller than 28mm for this tour, due to the unpaved trails. Our intermediate-plus level rating is based on longer miles, biking some unpaved trails, some gentle-moderate uphills, and biking through unlit tunnels. While not difficult, this is not a beginner-level tour. 

Suggested bicycle: Touring bikes, road bikes, hybrids

Suggested tire size for this tour: 28mm – 37mm (or larger)

Please  Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.  

And, Please purchase trip insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen.  At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.

Meet riders at 5:00 at our hotel in La Crosse, Wisconsin for our introductory meeting and dinner.

32 miles - Today we begin our biking adventure with a 32 mile ride on the fabulous Root River Trail in SE Minnesota. This all-paved trail follows the Root River as it winds through forests, past farms and marshes. You'll be treated to views of the tall bluffs which surround the river valley. We plan to ride from Houston to Lanesboro, with a lunch stop in Rushford. Save room for pie in Whalan! We'll end the ride in Lanesboro, where you'll be able to get a treat or visit a shop or two while we load bikes before heading back to La Crosse for the night. 

39/15 miles - Today we'll bike two of Wisconsin's excellent trails, the La Crosse River Trail and the Great River Trail. These both follow river valleys, as their names suggest, using the old railroad bed. We will give riders the option of riding both trails (39 miles) or just the Great River Trail (15 miles). We will end the ride in Trempealeau, a scenic spot on the Mississippi. While you poke around town, we will load up the bikes before we return to La Crosse for the night. 

35 miles - How about a ride on the nation's first Rail Trail? Today we will do just that, as we bike the award-winning Elroy-Sparta State Trail. We'll get an early start from La Crosse and begin biking mid-morning. A lunch stop is planned in Wilton, at about the halfway point. Bring a headlamp for the tunnels! The ride finishes with a nice downhill into Sparta. You can explore the trailhead visitor center while the bikes are loaded. A short van trip back to La Crosse for our final night's stay. Tonight we will celebrate our adventures and new friendships with a meal at a nearby restaurant. It's been a fun day!

Today we don't have any organized rides planned. Checkout time is 11:00, so you are free to have a leisurely morning. We'll say goodbye for now - thanks so much for joining us in the Upper Midwest!