Featured bike path - 51/29 and Hwy R Loop
Fall: Our oldest daughter enjoyed “mountain biking” in November 2018 on the Doepke Nature Trail.
It’s the time of the year it seems like people come out of the woodwork on beautiful, sunny, days and with the Safer at Home order, today was no exception on the 51/29 and Hwy R loop.
A little bit of everything
During this particular excursion, I saw more people than ever before on the path. In addition to the walkers, bikers, dogs, and recumbent bicycler, I even saw a fat tire bike with aero bars (which I confirmed with a double take). No pigs on a leash though!
All four seasons
Winter: I ran the trail this past winter with IRONBULL Ultra Trail race director, Ellen Humberston, where we stopped to make a snowball or two with the fresh snow.
Over the past year, I have consistently used these trails each season. Probably the most memorable (unfortunately) was under dressing in January for a run home from a meeting and getting frostbite on my toe. It was a rare day that the temperatures dropped and the wind ramped up throughout the day, which I didn’t account for when I packed my running gear that morning. So make sure you always prepare for the weather!
What you should expect
The 51/29 trail parallels Hwys 51 and 29 to the east and the Hwy R trail parallels the County Hwy R trail to the west. Both these bike & pedestrian trails are generally flat, making this a good early season ride. You can make a loop between the two trails with options for longer and shorter rides. There is a dedicated bike & pedestrian tunnel to go under Hwy 51/29; however you still need to cross Hwy R in two places to make a loop. Making a loop from Doepke Park to Robin Lane will be about 5.5 miles.
If you extend the loop to Sherman Street, you will need to ride on Sherman Street for a short ways (between Home Depot and Great Dane), but can detour a portion of Sherman Street by going on the side roads. There are “Share the Road” signs on Sherman Street, so motorists should be aware of cyclists and a sidewalk (but on the north side of Sherman Street). If you make a loop from Doepke Park to Sherman Street, it’s about 9.5 miles.
If you want to extend further and add some hills, add in Clover Lane to Goldenrod Road or even extend all the way to Foxglove Road. For either you’ll need to cross County Hwy N and bike on the shoulder of Hwy KK.
Where to start
Summer: You forget you’re sandwiched between Hwy 51/29 and Rib Mountain Drive. Here’s a picture I took last summer on the boardwalk.
If you can’t bike from your home, I’d recommend parking at one of the local parks along the route – Doepke Park or Sandy’s Bark Park, which have drinking fountains at each. There are also bathrooms, playground, grill, nature trail, and fitness trail at Doepke Park. You can also park at the start of the Bone & Joint Trail at the bottom of State Park Road by County Hwy R. Another option is the boat landing at Gulliver’s Landing or Rookery Park (however, you will need to cross County Hwy N).
Be alert
First make sure you pay extra attention on the County Hwy R Trail since there are several road crossings.
Be ready for a whitetail deer sighting on the north end of the 51/29 Trail (near Eagle Lane).
Spring: Today’s ride was with my two youngest where we stopped for a picture with an adorned Christmas tree along the trail.
Plan to stop and read the four informational signs along the Doepke Nature Trail to learn a little more about habitat.
Be careful as you approach the east side of the 51/29 tunnel. Although efforts have been made to seal the tunnel, water still seeps in and causes a slick spot - which is particularly important when you approach the tunnel from the east side (since you are going down a hill with a turn as you enter the tunnel). The boardwalk sections can also be slick when wet.
Insider scoop
Stop for a drink and even a walk around Sandy’s Bark Park, don’t worry if you’re without a dog - lots of people also enjoy the little walking trail sans dog. This park is typically closed in spring when it is wet.
And if you’re up for a shorter stroll, start at on the Doepke Nature Trail and loop around along County Hwy N (1 mile) and make a figure eight loop by going around Doepke Park (bonus points if you do the fitness trail), just over 1.5 miles. There is also a connector on the northwest corner of the park to Iris Lane which you can connect with the new bike & pedestrian trail on Bittersweet Road and loop back around along County Hwy N to your car.
If you want to make a little detour during the summer months you can get a one pound ice cream cone at Briq’s soft serve - that is if you don’t mind replacing all those calories you just burned! Briq’s wins the annual “Best Ice Cream of the Wausau Area,” often by a landslide.
More to come!
You’ll be able to extend this outing on the Trillium Trail which will connect Trillium Road off Clover Road by the fire station to Buttercup Road / Foxglove Road. Construction is expected to finish in late 2020. I’ll be sure to post an update!
Get active!
Don’t forget to get out and active too - participate in our final week of the #IRONBULLchallenge!
If you’re looking for more ideas - check out the Cedar Creek Trail which I wrote about in an earlier blog post.
Tackling Safer at Home
What have you discovered this spring in the great outdoors? Please share below.