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Sun, Sep 5, 2010
About
About
Bike the Badger and Become a Trail Explorer
Whet your appetite for travel, health, adventure, exploration, achievement …all this and more on the recreational trails in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Mark your achievement by becoming a Trail Explorer.
What is a Trail Explorer
A Trail Explorer is a person who has explored the Badger Trail and connecting trails, Sugar River and Jane Addams, a total of 73 miles, on a bicycle in a given year. Equal recognition is given for those bicycling the entire trail in one day and those who do it on multiple days within a year's time. Upon completion of the program requirements (answering scavenger hunt type trivia questions, submission of photos and a journal of experiences and paying a nominal patch fee) the bicyclist will receive a trail explorer's patch for that year, their name listed on the web site along with selected photos and remembrances they submitted, be recognized with a certificate at the annual meeting, and be eligible for a drawing of prizes to be awarded at an annual recognition meeting (i.e. gift certificates for overnight stays, dinners, bicycle tune ups).
Why Become a Trail Explorer
There are a number of reasons people love to bicycle and ride recreational trails.
Explore the great outdoors - It is fun to be outdoors enjoying nature. In the Stateline region it is possible to see a variety of wildlife, flora, and fauna in a peaceful setting far from noise, pollution, and congestion that will sooth your soul and refresh your spirit.
Get to know your neighborhood - if you live in the Stateline region, get to know the area right outside your own back yard. If you are a visitor to the Stateline area, then come and enjoy the diversity and variety of the towns and countryside with it's rolling hills, vast vistas, limestone bluffs, and native prairies.
Inspire others - Share your experience with family and friends and other outdoor enthusiasts by having selected photos and reminisces of your trail experiences published on the internet. Whether you remember a seeing a bounding deer, counted the number of trestle bridges, or cited a turtle resting on a log on one of the many crossings of the Sugar River, others will be inspired and motivated to follow in your tire tracks and ride the trails to makes their own discoveries.
Know a different world - Allow yourself to know these and other experience that create memories:
How it Works
Trail Etiquette
Following are some best practices for bicycling on recreational trails. Other tips are available in the publication Wisconsin Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The 70 miles required to achieve Trail Explorer status is the total unique miles required to explore all sections of all the connected trails. However, the trails are not in a loop configuration, so unless you and your bike get shuttled or you ride on Trail Explorer's Weekend your final mileage will be greater. Actually there is nothing finer than a lot of small trips because this provides you more incentive to get on your bike and go for a ride! Following are some sample loop itineraries. They can be done in any order or reversed (i.e. start in Freeport, bike to Monore, return to Freeport -OR- start in Monroe, bike to Freeport, return to Monroe). Feel free to adopt one or develop a custom plan that meets your time availbility and fitness level.
For planning purposes, consider that most moderately fit people can ride about 10 miles per hour.
Questions?
Download the Trail Explorers brochure. You may also want to review the Frequently Asked Questions. If you still need further information please email info@bikethebadger.com or call 608-897-8300.
Trail Explorer Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors for their support and assistance with the startup of the Trail Explorers's program.
Friends of the Badger Trail
Green County Tourism
Trek
Earth Rider
Dane County Bicycle Association
REI
Whet your appetite for travel, health, adventure, exploration, achievement …all this and more on the recreational trails in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Mark your achievement by becoming a Trail Explorer.
What is a Trail Explorer
A Trail Explorer is a person who has explored the Badger Trail and connecting trails, Sugar River and Jane Addams, a total of 73 miles, on a bicycle in a given year. Equal recognition is given for those bicycling the entire trail in one day and those who do it on multiple days within a year's time. Upon completion of the program requirements (answering scavenger hunt type trivia questions, submission of photos and a journal of experiences and paying a nominal patch fee) the bicyclist will receive a trail explorer's patch for that year, their name listed on the web site along with selected photos and remembrances they submitted, be recognized with a certificate at the annual meeting, and be eligible for a drawing of prizes to be awarded at an annual recognition meeting (i.e. gift certificates for overnight stays, dinners, bicycle tune ups).
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There are a number of reasons people love to bicycle and ride recreational trails.
Explore the great outdoors - It is fun to be outdoors enjoying nature. In the Stateline region it is possible to see a variety of wildlife, flora, and fauna in a peaceful setting far from noise, pollution, and congestion that will sooth your soul and refresh your spirit.
Get to know your neighborhood - if you live in the Stateline region, get to know the area right outside your own back yard. If you are a visitor to the Stateline area, then come and enjoy the diversity and variety of the towns and countryside with it's rolling hills, vast vistas, limestone bluffs, and native prairies.
Inspire others - Share your experience with family and friends and other outdoor enthusiasts by having selected photos and reminisces of your trail experiences published on the internet. Whether you remember a seeing a bounding deer, counted the number of trestle bridges, or cited a turtle resting on a log on one of the many crossings of the Sugar River, others will be inspired and motivated to follow in your tire tracks and ride the trails to makes their own discoveries.
Know a different world - Allow yourself to know these and other experience that create memories:
- Ride late at night with the stars overhead and, from time to time, a falling star.
- Travel through a dark tunnel on your bike when you can't see either wall or the ceiling.
- Return to the place where another trip ended and go on.
- Realize that after building up all summer that you can cycle all day without getting tired.
- Turn your daydream into a reality.
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- Set a goal to become a Trail Explorer this year.
- Complete a Trail Explorers Interest Form and receive this year's scavenger hunt questions.
- Plan your itinerary, then RIDE! While on the trail remember to take plenty of water and snacks and follow good trail etiquette.
- When you've completed each checkpoint (deadline for 2008 program is Nov. 15) and obtained answers to all the scavenger hunt questions, submit your completed application with answers, photos and highlights of your ride(s) along with a $8.00 patch fee.
- The Trail Explorers committee will process your application and if it is determined to meet all program requirements will mail your Trail Explorers patch for the current year.
- You will be invited to attend the annual awards ceremony to celebrate your achievement where eachTrail Explorer for the current year will be recognized with a certificate. At the ceremony all Trail Explorers for the current year will be entered into a drawing for great prizes.
- Plan to join the program next year!
Trail Etiquette
Following are some best practices for bicycling on recreational trails. Other tips are available in the publication Wisconsin Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
- Ride Single file. You can ride two or more abreast if you will not block other traffic.
- Control your speed. Trails are not an appropriate place for high speed riding.
- Obey traffic signs and signals. Use hand signals to indicate left or right turns, slowing or stopping.
- When passing, go slow and give an audible signal.
- At night, use a headlight, taillight and reflectors.
The 70 miles required to achieve Trail Explorer status is the total unique miles required to explore all sections of all the connected trails. However, the trails are not in a loop configuration, so unless you and your bike get shuttled or you ride on Trail Explorer's Weekend your final mileage will be greater. Actually there is nothing finer than a lot of small trips because this provides you more incentive to get on your bike and go for a ride! Following are some sample loop itineraries. They can be done in any order or reversed (i.e. start in Freeport, bike to Monore, return to Freeport -OR- start in Monroe, bike to Freeport, return to Monroe). Feel free to adopt one or develop a custom plan that meets your time availbility and fitness level.
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- Average trip: 70 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - New Glarus - 72 miles
Trip 2: Paoli - Brodhead - 68 miles - Average trip: 47 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - Monroe - 40 miles
Trip 2: Monroe - Paoli - 54 miles
Trip 3: New Glarus - Brodhead - 46 miles - Average trip: 35 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - Monroe - 40 miles
Trip 2: Monroe - New Glarus - 32 miles
Trip 3: Paoli - Monticello - 32 miles
Trip 4: Monticello - Brodhead - 36 miles - Average trip: 28 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - Orangeville - 20 miles
Trip 2: Orangeville - Monroe - 20 miles
Trip 3: Monroe - New Glarus - 30 miles
Trip 4: Monticello - Paoli - 32 miles
Trip 5: Monticello - Brodhead - 36 miles - Average trip: 23 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - Orangeville - 20 miles
Trip 2: Orangeville - Monroe - 20 miles
Trip 3: Monroe - Monticello - 22 miles
Trip 4: Monticello - Paoli - 32 miles
Trip 5: New Glarus - Albany - 32 miles
Trip 6: Albany - Brodhead - 14 miles - Average trip: 18 miles
Trip 1: Freeport - Orangeville - 10 miles
Trip 2: Orangeville - Monroe - 20 Miles
Trip 3: Monroe - Monticello - 22 miles
Trip 4: Monticello - New Glarus - 10 miles
Trip 5: Monticello - Belleville - 16 miles
Trip 6: Belleville - Paoli - 16 miles
Trip 7: Monticello - Albany - 22 miles
Trip 8: Albany - Brodhead - 14 miles
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Download the Trail Explorers brochure. You may also want to review the Frequently Asked Questions. If you still need further information please email info@bikethebadger.com or call 608-897-8300.
Trail Explorer Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors for their support and assistance with the startup of the Trail Explorers's program.
Friends of the Badger Trail
Green County Tourism
Trek
Earth Rider
Dane County Bicycle Association
REI
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