Wisconsin Bicycle trails project

Plemirande,

This looks like a great idea!

Some of the things that might be worthwhile would be some description of the nature of the route. For example, some of these are off-road, or based on rail beds, or urban environments, and many could be county roads which could be gravel or paved.

I'm trying to visualize how someone would use this. An enthusiast would still need a hard copy map, I'm guessing (many bicycle routes are actually tours that include parts of different roads). But, maybe your idea about the GPX format encompasses all that.

*****

For comparison purposes: I'm about three-quarters through a CSV project involving Wisconsin's Rustic Roads program. Here's an example of the two entries for one rustic road (I forget whether I put this through POI Verifier).

-88.771665,42.842739,"RR88 (S) Cold Spring Rd (3.5M) Jefferson Cnty","Arching oaks, barns, Victorian farmhouse, St John's Church 1884, Cold Spring Cemetery 1840s, Lincoln historical marker","http://www.dot.state.wi.us/travel/scenic/rusticroad88.htm"

-88.777623,42.887917,"RR88 (N) Cold Spring Rd (3.5M) Jefferson Cnty","Arching oaks, barns, Victorian farmhouse, St John's Church 1884, Cold Spring Cemetery 1840s, Lincoln historical marker","http://www.dot.state.wi.us/travel/scenic/rusticroad88.htm"

So, I have the start and end points as POIs, give the state's enumeration in the Rustic Road program, the starting point compass description, the name of the road (or a description if the route involves several roads), the length in miles, the county the road is situated in, a text description of interesting things noted, and a link to the source of the info.

I added some description of the road surface when the entire road wasn't paved.

-88.041418,43.768492,"RR63 (S) Kettle Morraine (2.4m, some gravel) Sheboygan Cnty","Glacial sand and stone, steep moraine hills and curves, road ends at village limits of historic Glenbeulah. Wesley Jung Carriage Museum and the Wade House historic site are nearby","http://www.dot.state.wi.us/travel/scenic/rusticroad63.htm"

The only recommendation for each POI I would make would be to have some text to show the highlights available (looks good while in the "GO" page on my Garmin 660). Your GPX idea gives you a lot of options.

*****

Sounds like a substantial project.

Best wishes.

GregPaul

Initially, I'm planning on mostly rail to trail, but including some bike path trails. I planning on excluding Mountain bike trails and trails which are down existing streets.

Most bike trails don't require a hard copy map because the trail is well marked. The way points would to do two things.

Fist it will help you find the trail when you driving to it. I've done the Rustic Road tour and finding a bike trail is similar to finding a rustic road, only the trail is slightly more challenging because you need find a place to park and unload your bike.

Second it will allow you to set the end of the trail as a destination and then you can see how far the end is and your estimated time of arrival.

I have not used a Garmin this way, so I still need to see how well it works.

Another use is when the trail ends and you need to pick it up again four miles down a few roads. I have listed the way point to look for in the way point your at. That way you know you can get there. Many people get discouraged and turn back if the is no one around to show them the way.

Another possibility is now you can leave the trail knowing you can find your way back. That give you the freedom to wonder into town looking for something good to eat at a nice spot.

You might also want to know if there are restroom facilities up ahead, and how far. If there is plenty of water along the trail then I don't have to carry as much.

I'm big on elevation, so I would like to record and enter the elevation. I like to ride the trail up hill so it will be down hill all the way back to the car, so I attempt to park at the lowest elevation.

I can also list bike stores if any. I used to ride a 20 year old Schwinn which broke the original chain one mile from Speed's Bicycle Shop in Sparta. It's a good thing I knew where it was.

I could include great places along the way to eat like Gina's Pies are Square in Wilton.

Wisconsin lists three types of bike trails

On Road Tours

Mountain Bike Trails

Bike Touring Trails

I'm starting with Bike Touring Trails which are primarily rail to trail.

Bugline
Elroy-Sparta
Glacial Drumlin
Lake Country
New Berlin Recreational
Old Plank Road

Here is a website that has a PDF file giving a good description of many of the bike trails, unfortunately it doesn't have any coordinates. By using the description of where the trail starts and ends I could probably figure out the coordinates for many of them.

The website:
www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/bikemaps.htm

The PDF file:
www.travelwisconsin.com/PDF/2008_BIKING_GUIDE.pdf

That is one of the web sites I was using. I started imputing trails which I'm familiar with, so I could get a feel for using GeePeeEx. I found that I could use the satellite map to see the trail end from above. I also looked for an address for the Trailhead building.

There are a lot of web sites to work with. So far I'm very happy with the design of the GeePeeEx Editor.

I created three files already. First I imported Favorites. Second I make some basic way points for Waukesha, which I can never seem to find my way from one side to the other. Third I made this file. For now I have named it after the MN file. I think I called it Bicycle Trails (WI).

I'm just having a little trouble jumping back and forth between two computers. I need to figure out the Merge file option.

Does the satellite map you are using give coordinates?

Yes. I drop an 'x' on the map and it gives me the coordinates. Then I click a button and it updates my POI file with those coordinates.

400
Great River
Ozaukee Interurban
Lacrosse River
Military Ridge
Omaha

Sugar River
Wild Goose
Ahnapee

Badger State
BATS-Crystal Lake
Bearskin State

Wildwood
Wiouwash
Buffalo River
White River
Tuscobia-Park Falls

Red Cedar
Chippewa River
Old Abe
Oconto River
Mountain Bay

Pecatonica
Cheese Country
CE
Fox River
Friendship
Glacial River

Gandy Dancer
Hiawatha
Hillsboro
Mascoutin Valley

Osaugie
Pine Line
Pine River
Three Eagles
Tomorrow River
Tri-Country Corridor

North Shore
MKR
Kenosha County
Root River
Burlington
Capitol City

Waterford/Wind Lake
Wild Rivers
Hank Aaron

I'm looking forward to this one!!

Are you including close by towns that have bathrooms, food, bike shops, etc.?

I was going to do one for Illinois, so I will use yours as a template.

Thanks,
Chuck

As much as I can, and as much as I know. For the most part I mark every town the trail passes through or near. If there Parking, or Restrooms, or Refreshments then I say so.

If there is a must see restaurant then I mark it as a way point. For example on the Elroy Sparta in Wilton there is a Deli called Pies are Square that is a must stop, even if for an ice tea.

Any waypoints you think should be listed in your local trails let me know, and I'll include them. Some of these trails I have never been on.

When it comes to bike trails, this needs to be a collaborative effort because there is so much out there that we ride right past.

Green Circle

Patrick,

I will work on the St. Germain path. The first portion is only 8 miles but ties into others for a total of about 25. One at a time I guess. I will send it to you in Decimal Degrees when complete.
I know this one well, fully paved, a nice family path.

chuck

Stevens Point

Great. I did not know there is a St Germain Bike Trail. I did find it on the internet. I see there is a Plum Lake trail also.

They are tied together, about 25 miles, from St. Germain to Boulder Junction. I will be getting you the complete route within the next few days.
Hilly in places (some walking if your out of shape!)
but very scenic with good parking in various areas.

Chuck

I've done all the rail trails that I know of. I'm all ears if anyone thinks I've missed any. I know I still have to the the Madison Kenosha, Janesville and Milwaukee area trails. I have not decided how I'm going to do the city trails.

I e-mailed this trail to you Patrick.
There is a trail from Eagle River to Three Lakes,
am not too familiar with it as I only rode part of it.
Will see what I can find out.

Will your POI be one bulk POI with all locations or a separate POI for each?

Chuck

I've got the email, will type it in today.

The file is one bulk POI for all of Wisconsin.

I've never heard of the Eagle River Trail, looking forward to it.

It's starting to warm up!! Any idea when this POI file will be done? Would you be willing to upload what you already have?

THANKS!!
Chuck

That's a good idea, been thinking of doing that myself. I've done what I wanted to do, I wanted to polish it up a bit, but I can upload what I have. I have all the rail to trails in Wisconsin in the file.

This is my first POI file upload, so I need to figure that out. This is a busy week for me, so if I don't get to it this week I will get to it next week.

Looking forward to it!!

Thanks,
Chuck

Here is the file as it is now. I'll polish it up later. Here is the link. http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21426

It's not active yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it!!!

Thanks again,
Chuck

Looks good, pretty much what I had in mind for Illinois trails.

Now I just have to find some time to get up there!

Thanks,
Chuck

We plan to run the Illinois trails some day. We rode the one north out of Moline up the Mississippi last summer.

Are you planning an IL bicycle trail project?