CORP Trails Gran Dirt Fondo
For most mountain bikers, an epic ride entails making time over the weekend to pack up their bikes, gear, food, water, and clothes, drive hours to a destination, all while hedging their bets on good weather and trail conditions, and then driving all the way home only to unpack everything and scramble to get ready for the coming week. Fortunately for CORP Trails members, no such hassle is needed; a grand ride is right at their doorstep. Thanks to years of working with landowners and the excellent bike infrastructure that Southern Wisconsin has to offer, five world-class CORP Trails destinations can be connected into an epic ride that will challenge even the most advanced rider’s fitness and bike handling and take them through dense urban centers, rural countryside, and through three major regional watersheds, all on a wide array of trail styles and terrain.
Presenting: The CORP Trails Gran Dirt Fondo. This ride is best done on a gravel bike, cyclocross bike, or hardtail XC bike, though those wishing to push the limits of their fitness and bike finesse could do so on any bike with suitably wide tires and powerful enough brakes. Choosing a gravel or cyclocross bike for a ride like this makes old trails new again, forcing riders to choose more precise lines and enabling them to go further than a trail bike could otherwise take them. Connecting Seminole, Quarry Park, Middleton Bike Park, Blackhawk Ski Club, and Quarry Ridge Recreational Area, the adventurous rider can expect nearly 36 miles, over 40% of which is unpaved, with nearly 1500 feet of elevation gain, stunning views of the driftless region and surrounding landscape, and the opportunity to add more mileage and elevation gain thanks to well-designed trail networks.
The ride begins at Seminole due to its closeness to the Cap City Trail, Southwest Commuter Path, Badger State Trail, and Military Ridge State Trail. Parking is available at the nearby Dawley Conservancy in Fitchburg, though riding to the start or simply starting at another trail network is easily done on this loop. Thoughtfully designed trail features at Seminole mean that riders on skinnier tires can still ride dirt without committing to any drops or jumps. As with all the networks on this loop, riders can add laps at each destination to get more dirt and create an even bigger ride.
Heading north along the Southwest Commuter Path, down bike lanes and along quiet residential streets, a thrilling descent down a steep road flanked by massive oaks takes riders to their next destination: Quarry Park. While often regarded as among the more technically challenging trail networks in the CORP Trails system, riders can still find ride-arounds and flatter, less rocky paths on the inner loops. Several shops and restaurants nearby and on the way to the next destination will give riders a place to stop to refuel or meet up with friends.
After leaving Quarry Park riders can expect more designated bike lanes, lightly trafficked roads, bike paths, and a steep, switchback climb as they head to the next trail system: Middleton Bike Park. Situated on the west side of Middleton and next to the Pleasant View Golf Course, this trail network offers beginner friendly singletrack that becomes a fun challenge on skinnier tired, short wheelbase, rigid bikes with drop bars. A short lollipop trail at the end of the prairie takes riders to an exciting double track descent down a cross county ski trail. Riders emerge at the bottom of the valley of the Black Earth Creek’s headwaters. At the end of this trail riders have the option to climb back up to the top of the ridge and descend again on flowy, machine built singletrack, adding more mileage and elevation gain, and then ride through the valley and along Black Earth Creek on an easement generously provided by the Erdman Family to their next location: Blackhawk Ski Club.
Mountain biking at Blackhawk Ski Club dates back to the late eighties and features a mix of old-school and beginner-friendly flow style trail that, for the advanced rider on a gravel or cyclocross bike, becomes a thrilling exercise in bike handling and line choice. On a hot summer day, the cold spring at the base of the Switchbacks climb’s 50 degree water offers a reprieve from the weather and rejuvenation for one’s tired legs. Just like Seminole and Middleton Bike Park, riders looking for a longer excursion can stack additional loops at Blackhawk. The water spigot on the north side of the west chalet at the top of the Ziggy Up climb affords riders the opportunity to refill their water bottles, as the next ten miles are without any services and are in the most rural parts of the route.
Departing Blackhawk, riders then follow country and residential roads to the high point on the ride atop Timber Lane, right around 1,200 feet above sea level. On a clear day West Blue Mound (the highest peak in Southern Wisconsin) is visible to the west and the Baraboo Range to the north. Water draining on one side of this point flows into the Black Earth Creek and eventually the Wisconsin River, while on the other side water flows in the Sugar River and eventually the Rock River; they meet again only at the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock River in the Quad Cities, hundreds of miles away. As riders head south down Timber Lane, they’ll descend almost 250 feet to the Military Ridge State Trail and enjoy around five miles of gravel as they bike into Verona. In Verona riders will find more amenities and opportunities to refill water bottles before they head to the final stop on the CORP Trails Gran Dirt Fondo: Quarry Ridge Recreational Area.
Situated between Verona and Fitchburg, Quarry Ridge Recreational Area offers the greatest diversity in singletrack among all of CORP Trails systems. From machine built flow trails, to tight and twisty XC trails, rock slabs and massive drops, and an upcoming progressive skills area, Quarry Ridge has something for everyone. As riders finish their epic ride, more water and restrooms are available on the west side of the park before they make their way back to Seminole to complete the CORP Trails Gran Dirt Fondo.
While Southern Wisconsin lacks the elevation and backcountry feel of the mountains and more remote parts of our country, its well designed bike infrastructure and the continuing work of CORP Trails presents riders with the opportunity to have just as grand of an adventure on their bike, all from their back door in unique ecological niches and urban centers. As CORP Trails’ system of trails continues to grow and new partnerships are founded, Southern Wisconsin will rival destinations like the Ozarks, the Duluth Traverse, and the Whitefish Trail. Interested in helping make this dream a reality? Donate now to CORP or get in touch with a trail steward to ensure the future of singletrack in Southern Wisconsin.
