iBOB Unmeeting 2018

Photo credit: Michael Lemberger

When: July 13-15
Where: Governor Dodge State Park
Who: iBOBs and friends and family

Bicycle Quarterly describes an Unmeeting as follows: "Show up and enjoy a day of riding with like-minded cyclists. There are no fees, no registration, and no services. Simply show up and join us for the ride."

Dodgeville is in south-central Wisconsin, about 3.5 hours drive from Chicago, 2 hours from Milwaukee, 4.5 hours from Minneapolis.

We have reservations for three campsites, 269, 270, and 271, for a total of 18 people. If you are interested in staying in one of those sites, email Harald. Depending on turnout, the cost per person will be between $7.50 and $17/person total for two nights. A $13 non-refundable but transferable payment pays for your spot. If actual cost turns out to be lower, extra proceeds will be donated to a local bike advocacy organization, Madison Bikes. If cost turns out to be higher, we'll pass around a hat. You are welcome to reserve your own campsite, but keep in mind that Governor Dodge State Park is a popular park and fills up quickly in the summer. Non-camping accommodations exist in Dodgeville, about 5 miles from the park.

$ Don Q Inn  

$ Pine Ridge Motel
$$ Super 8 Dodgeville
$$ Best Western Dodgeville
?? House on the Rock Inn

Governor Dodge State Park also offers many family-friendly activities such as hiking, walking, swimming, horseback riding, or renting a row boat. Other nearby attractions are the House on the Rock; Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin estate; Cave of the Mounds

If you drive to the park, you need to buy a vehicle admission sticker ($8/day). This is not included in the camping fees.

Food 

Dodgeville has a Walmart and a Piggly Wiggly, as well as a Mexican grocery store. There are a bunch of restaurants, bars, and taverns of unknown quality.

Rough itinerary

Friday, July 13: Bike from Madison to Dodgeville (45 miles rail trail or possibly on-road options), or drive to Dodgeville for a PM arrival. Official camp site check-in is 3 PM but probably you can arrive earlier.

Saturday: Day ride starting and ending at the park. The riding options range from flat limestone rail trail to quiet paved or gravel roads with various amounts of climbing. We'll come up with some route suggestions.

Sunday: Day rides, or return to Madison by bike.

Route suggestions

40 paved miles to the Wisconsin River

All paved roads, taking you into Spring Green for a halfway stop

52 miles to Highland, with lots of gravel

 Lots of awesome gravel roads west of the park, and a bunch of climbing

50 miles to Mineral Point

After backtracking on the Military Ridge Trail for a bit, we turn south toward Mineral Point. Shorter return from Mineral point: https://www.strava.com/routes/13995256

Madison to Governor Dodge via Military Ridge Trail

This is the easiest way to get from Madison to Governor Dodge, almost exclusively on trail. The first few miles of the trail are paved; then it turns to crushed limestone. Conditions vary from year to year, but in general the trail is rideable even with relatively skinny tires. Occasionally you will encounter loose sand. Plenty of rest stop options along the way

• Verona: Trail shelter with water and bathrooms, supermarket, coffee shop, Hop Haus Brewpub
• Riley: Riley Tavern (opening hours are somewhat unpredictable)
• Mount Horeb (Grumpy Troll Brewpub, trail shelter, Sjolinds Chocolate House)
• Blue Mounds: convenience store, Hooterville Inn with Friday fish fry
• Barneveld: convenience store, tavern
• Ridgeway: gas station

Maps

The Wisconsin DOT has great bike maps that include gravel roads. Governor Dodge SP in the middle of Iowa County.