Bikers Delight: You Need to Visit Sparta, WI for the Best Cycling Around

Anyone who loves to bike has heard of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta is the main host town along the Sparta - Elroy Bike Trail. This small, friendly town is located along interstate 90, just 20 miles from La Crosse, WI and about 60 miles from Madison, WI. The trail boasts of amazing overpasses and some great tunnels. If you love to bike, you'll want to read on and learn how exciting this trail town is!

As you enter town, you'll see a large statue of a man riding a bicycle. This man is known as "Ben Bikin'" and he has quite the history. He's just a statue, but he holds the town's heart and the awes of the tourists. Ben just started talking, and also takes pictures. He is the town mascot and you can often find a "real Ben" walking the streets or biking the trail along with you.

The trail runs along the old Chicago and North Western Railroad. The railroad was first constructed in 1873 to route all traffic among the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa toward Madison, WI and Chicago, IL. This railroad gave the trail a straight line from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL. The building of the railroad was a long difficult process which required 3 tunnels to be dug by hand. After completion 6 daily passenger trains passed along the railroad along with 40-50 freight trains. It was a busy railroad indeed, most commonly used to haul livestock to Chicago.

In 1964 the last train ran along this railroad. Only a year later, in 1965 the railroad was taken down and sold to the Wisconsin Conservation Department. This trail is known to be the first railroad to be transformed to a hiking and biking trail. The railway was lined with lime screening and the bridges were planked and railings were built.

The Sparta-Elroy trail is 32 miles long. Along the route are 3 tunnels which are a favorite among tourists. Two tunnels are a quarter mile long with the last one being three quarters of a mile long. The tunnels are not lit, so you must bring a flashlight, or hope that someone comes along with one! It is required that you dismount your bike and walk through the tunnels for safety. Also, be sure to stay to the right so that you can avoid oncoming bikers.

There is a trail pass that you must purchase prior to riding the trail. There are multiple sites where you can enter the trail. The main entrance is in Sparta near the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 71. You can also enter in Elroy at the Commons along Hwy 71. There is a Trail Headquarters in Kendal at the Old Depot. There are also entrances in the towns of Wilton and Norwalk along Hwy 71. The Trail Pass is $4 for a day, or you can purchase an annual pass for only $15. The fees from the Trail Passes are used for maintenance and to hire personal to keep the trail in top condition.

There is a Railroad History Museum at the Trail Headquarters. This museum has many interesting facts and pieces of history that helped form the railroad and the bike trail. You can buy souvenirs as well as rent bikes there. You can also find an available driver here to park your car at the end of the trail or to drop you off and return your car to your final destination.

The town of Sparta has many other activities including campsites, local parks and a historic downtown shopping center. You can plan to spend a week, a day or just a few hours in Sparta and feel that you will never run out of things to see and do. So, when you can, pack up the bikes and head to Sparta for an awesome bike ride you will never forget!