rochester mn or minneapolis- madison wi route?

[silence]

Looking to make a two day one-way trip riding out of Rochester and down to Madison-  thinking I will head south and cross at or below lacrosse and the  driftless zone.  A route into central wi and then down through the dells would also work.

anybody got anything?

[silence]

http://maps.google.com/maps?hq=http://maps.google.com/help/maps/directions/biking/mapplet.kml&ie=UTF8&ll=37.687624,-122.319717&spn=0.346132,0.727158&z=11&lci=bike&dirflg=b&f=d&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk-bd&utm_term=google%20bike%20maps

quickly used google maps...

northern option allows more trail usage, but not sure where I'd stop after day 1 (150 miles or so in?)

southern is more roads, but has a logical stopping point at prairie du chien and also could be slightly modified to pick up some more gravel and bike trail using routes I already have from here to decorah etc.

thanks for any input

[atom29]

I don't think that link is working. I would like to see how that route is working out. Been through southwest Wisconsin a fair amount and there is some cool country in there. Been wanting to piece together some gravel rides in that area.

[silence]

I see that-

all the above link was supposed to be was what google bike gives you if you punch in Rochester, MN to Barneveld, WI.

It gives two options-  the northern route hits a lot of railtrail and is likely relatively flat and easy.  The southern route could easily be modified to have a ton of gravel and hills.

I will likely ride a variation of the northern route this week-  goals are to test gear and enjoy myself more so than ride a lot of hills this week (dirty kanza is coming up fast)

I will certainly blog about whatever I wind up doing and also post the garmin "tracks" for whatever route I do

-Drew

[Lonesome Luddite]

If you want more gravel try the walk option on Google Maps.  The bike option keeps you on paved roads/paths.  Of course walk is also the shortest distance and you may not want that. 

Google maps is a great place to start looking for directions, but I find that I always have to make a few changes to do just what I want.  I use the Delorme state atlases or better yet Sportsman's atlases that use DOT maps and show campgrounds, natural areas, and bike trails...even in the corn belt.   

[silence]

Well, my route was crap and I didn't follow it anyways.  I did ride almost 240 miles between Rochester and Wisconsin Dells though and I took a few pictures-

http://rideonpurpose.blogspot.com/

If someone else is looking to make a similar trip I could surely tell you a few places that are good to ride and a few that I would avoid-  feel free to email me or pm me etc.

-Drew