North woods back roads tour

[north woods gal]

Thought you might like a sample of where I love to ride, so here's a ride I did, today. The destination is some wild north woods logging roads/trails, but to get to this area and then back home ... I have to ride seven miles of paved roads, but very light traffic.

[north woods gal]

The fun begins when I go off the pavement on this stretch of county gravel road:

[north woods gal]

Since this is a county road open to through traffic and since no one lives on this road, it get little maintenance, so things get rough in a hurry. Rough riding for the next four plus miles. No place for road bikes.

[north woods gal]

Finally, my destination. The logging roads are gated to prevent damage from vehicles when not in use by logging trucks. Foot and bicycle traffic is allowed and snowmobiles in the winter. Have yet to see a single footprint or bicycle track in this area. Next 8 miles is all wild and all mine. Happy, happy, happy.


This is what happens to logging roads if they are not gated and open to vehicle traffic between logging cycles. (Another area and, yes, I do bicycle this one, too.)

[north woods gal]

Can be many years between logging use, so the roads do get overgrown, sometimes little more than single track. Flushed some grouse in this section, today.


Same section earlier this summer. Wasn't even sure of there was a road.

[north woods gal]

Always have to be aware of downed tress and branches, some can be hard to see. These are more dangerous than the obvious, easy to see downed trees.

[north woods gal]

Mostly just me and the road and the woods and total contentment.

[north woods gal]

Exit on a paved road and 8 miles back home. Finish the day with almost 30 miles and a big smile on my face. Thanks for riding along.


Bike used: Trek Stashe 29er plus, 3" tires, no suspension, but the perfect bike for this work

[north woods gal]

Would love a tour of some of your rides, too. Please feel free to share.