Wisconsin Coastal History Trails: Lake Michigan by James Purinton, Madison: Wisconsin Coastal Zone Management Development Program, 1976. Click here for a pdf copy of the route instructions, including city maps of Green Bay and Marinette.
Wisconsin Coastal History Trails: Lake Superior by James Purinton, Madison: Wisconsin Coastal Zone Management Development Program, 1976. Click here for a pdf copy of the guide (taken from the Government Printing Office).
Both volumes have separate maps with marked biked trails on back roads paralleling the lake shore. The also show some inland routes. The books themselves contain maps of cities with suggested bike routes. Emphasis is on historical sites. They each include a section giving cues for the routes. Although originally distributed for free, the books are sold (used) on Amazon. Since I have not bicycled the routes other than these along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, I would very much like to hear the experience of those who have. What changes did you have to make?
Bicycle Escape Routes: A Touring Guide to Wisconsin by Doug Shidell and Philip Van Valkenberg. Madison: Wisconsin Tails and Trails, 1974.
Includes a booklet with general descriptions of bike routes and six maps of the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin. The maps show both long distance routes (“connectors”) and loops (“tour routes”). Booklet have small maps of some cities but there does not seem to be any attempt to relate those to the routes on the large maps. Except for the lake shore route, all routes stop at Milwaukee County.
Wisconsin Bicycle Map: Eastern. Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 1992.
Wisconsin Bicycle Map: Western. Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 1992.
Two maps, which together cover the entire state. Shows recommended routes, as well as routes not recommended. There is an attempt to show continuous routes, although cities are largely written off. No routes in Milwaukee County are shown, for example.
Eastern Wisconsin Bicycle Escape Guide. Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 1985.
Eastern Wisconsin Bicycle Escape Guide. Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 1985.
Earlier editions of the maps above. Essentially similar, with different colors.
Wisconsin Bikeway: Map and Guide. Wisconsin Division of Tourism, undated, probably mid-1970's.
Wisconsin North-South Bikeway: Map and Guide. Wisconsin Division of Tourism, undated, probably mid-1970's.
These two maps consist of sectional strip maps and cue sheets. The first route runs from La Crosse to the outskirts of Milwaukee, Racine, or Kenosha; the second from Bayfield to La Crosse. The first was the first designated cross-state bike route. Although other states have established bike routes (New York and Pennsylvania are notable examples), Wisconsin has apparently discontinued its bikeway. No explanation of this decision seems to be available, but it may be related to the road rating system developed for the Wisconsin State Bike Map, leading to the discovery that there was no way to cross the state without using roads marked as red. I have posted copies of the cue sheets here.
Biking Wisconsin's Rail-Trails 2nd Edition, by Shawn E. Richardson, Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publication, 2004.
At the time of publication, this appeared to be the most complete and up-to-date guide to bicycle trails in Wisconsin. It also includes a few trails other than converted railroad lines and suggests roads connections to trails. I believe it is out of print, but copies are still availabe on Amazon.
Bicycle Vacation Guide, by Doug Shidell and Vicky Vogels, Minneapolis: bikeverywhere, 2008.
Covers bike trails in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Includes maps, and other information, including lodging, camping, groceries, bike rentals and repairs, calendars of events, and other attractions in the area. Out of print, but check Amazon.
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