Overview, Synopsis, Who is WORBA, Why Blue Mound, Building Trail, Trail design, Proposed trails , Proposed map, Crews, Volunteering, Work log
Overview, Synopsis, Who is WORBA, Why Blue Mound, Building Trail, Trail design, Proposed trails , Proposed map, Crews, Volunteering, Work log
Blue Mound State Park has a potential off-road cycling user base from Madison, LaCrosse, Chicago, NE Iowa and all points between. The on-site camping gives distance travelers a place to stay when they stay for a weekend, and the pool, nature trails and picnic areas provide recreation for non-cyclists in family outings. The proximity to Military Ridge State Trail may give trail users alternate means of travel to get to these trails - no where else in Wisconsin is there a destination off-road trail with on-site camping that a cyclist could ride to without travelling busy highways.
The terrain at Blue Mound State Park lends itself to off-road cycling. By building the trail on the many side-slopes, an interesting single-contour trail can peek in and out of the many ravines on the property, similar to the popular trail at Tsali Recreation Area in North Carolina. The soil at Blue Mound is a dark, rich, clay based soil that holds up well to the area's rainfall, as seen by the several steep ravine sides on the north side of the park. This soil type compacts well and sheds water, the perfect mix for a natural surface bicycling trail. The dolomite and granite that form the mound itself and poke up through the soil make for interesting features, pleasing both to the eye and the cyclist's bike handling skills.
Cyclists have stated their desire to have destination trails - single track trails that are 10 miles or more in length of varied terrain and natural surroundings - by the popularity of Southern Kettle Moraine and the networks in the Chequamegon National Forest and American Highland State Forest. A destination trail in the southern section of the state would help serve the needs of the Madison Metropolitan area as well as being a destination trail for weekend travelers from other areas.
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