Madison to Sparta, WI By Bike (Part 3: Chicago to Minneapolis)

Route Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55377803 🚴‍♂️ Madison to Sparta by Bike | Wisconsin Driftless Region, 400 State Trail & Elroy-Sparta Trail Day 3 of my 500-mile bicycle journey from Chicago to Minneapolis takes me from downtown Madison, Wisconsin to Sparta, the self-proclaimed "Bicycling Capital of America." This 120-mile ride leaves the urban environment behind and enters Wisconsin's spectacular Driftless Region, connecting some of the finest rail trails in the United States. Beginning at the Wisconsin State Capitol, the route travels through the University of Wisconsin campus, along Lake Mendota, and northwest toward Sauk City. From there, the ride explores the Great Sauk State Trail, Devil's Lake State Park, Reedsburg, and two of Wisconsin's most famous rail trails: the 400 State Trail and the legendary Elroy-Sparta Trail. Along the way, you'll experience scenic farmland, river valleys, historic railroad corridors, small Wisconsin towns, hand-dug railroad tunnels, and some of the most beautiful cycling infrastructure in the Midwest. The Elroy-Sparta Trail, America's first rail-trail conversion, remains one of the premier bicycle routes in the country and is a highlight of this Chicago-to-Minneapolis bikepacking adventure. 📍 Highlights Include: • Wisconsin State Capitol and State Street • University of Wisconsin-Madison • Lake Mendota and Lakeshore Path • Sauk City and the Wisconsin River • Great Sauk State Trail • Devil's Lake State Park • Reedsburg, Wisconsin • 400 State Trail • Elroy-Sparta State Trail • Historic railroad tunnels • Sparta, Wisconsin – Bicycling Capital of America • Wisconsin Driftless Region cycling This video is part of a multi-day bicycle tour from Chicago to Minneapolis featuring rail trails, scenic backroads, Midwest history, and the Mississippi River corridor. 🎥 Other videos in this series: ✅ Chicago to Milwaukee ✅ Milwaukee to Madison ✅ Madison to Sparta (This Video) ➡️ Sparta to Minnesota (Coming Soon) ➡️ Mississippi River Trail to Minneapolis & St. Paul (Coming Soon) If you enjoy bicycle touring, rail trails, bikepacking, cycling history, and long-distance adventure rides, be sure to subscribe to Get Out and Bike for more cycling content from across the United States. 👍 Like the video 💬 Leave a comment with your favorite Wisconsin trail 🔔 Subscribe for more bike touring adventures #BikeTouring #WisconsinCycling #ElroySpartaTrail #400StateTrail #RailsToTrails #Bikepacking #WisconsinTrails #DriftlessRegion #CyclingAdventure #ChicagoToMinneapolis #BicycleTouring #SpartaWisconsin #MidwestCycling #AdventureCycling #wisconsin #madisonwisconinbiking #chicagotominneapolisbybike