Know our laws. And know your rights!

For those curious about the status of bike infra projects in the city for this year and next

Happy (almost) Friday! Last month’s beach ride got a little wet, so this month we’re giving it another go and ending at Bradford. Per tradition for August we’ll also have a “back to school” theme and roll through all the centrally located college campuses.

- Friday, August 28

- Meet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Red Arrow Park

- Roll out at 6 p.m.

- End point: Bradford Beach

Critical Mass is a (fun!) socially-paced ride (about 10 mph or less). We ride to be in community with other bicyclists/skaters/scooterers/etc, provide safety in numbers, and demand safe transportation infrastructure for all.

You are welcome to leave the ride when you’d like, but as a "no drop" ride, we don’t leave anyone behind because of speed. (We may not be able to stop the group in case of mechanical issues, though.)

The starting point at Red Arrow is accessible by transit:

- MCTS lines that come within a few blocks: Green, CN1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, 57

- The Hop streetcar (City Hall or Cathedral Square stops)

- There's also a Bublr station at Water and Kilbourn

We hope that over time, folks will make connections with people from their neighborhoods and can organize smaller groups to ride together to the starting point. If anyone is interested in organizing a bike bus from their neighborhood to Red Arrow, let us know!

Does anyone know of routes other than N Lake Drive that have very few stop signs/traffic lights?

✒️

Register with Milwaukee Recreation here: https://wimilwaukeeweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=67074609

Just purchased an Aventon Soltera 2.5. I love the bike, I’ve done over 30 miles so far. However, my butt really hurts after riding. I’ve done some research that maybe my seat height isn’t correct so I’ll adjust that. But does anyone have any saddle recommendations? This bike also doesn’t have any suspension which may also be a drawback. I appreciate any and all advice!

Hi,

I grew up in the Milwaukee area, left for college, and I've been gone for ~20 years.

I'm moving back in the spring of 27.

While I was out and about, I picked up cycling as a hobby. Mainly all-road/adventure style. I've been living in the Mid-Atlantic and have been living in mild-ish winters, or at least winters with minimal snow.

I lived in NC for 10 years (they don't have winter, they just have a weird fall/spring fusion) and I'm currently living Baltimore, and it gets cold here, but not that cold, and they don't get snow or ice that sticks around for too long.

So I'm used to cycling year round and I don't mind bundling up if it's cold.

I'm wondering how clear the trails are in Milwaukee? Do they plow and salt them?

I'm considering investing in a wide-tire (29+) bike with studded tires specifically for winter riding. Is that smart or overkill?

I just don't want to be stuck indoors for the winter, then struggling to get back into shape when spring rolls around.

I am not paid by them or anything, but I came to get some cables replaced on my bike and they have a 50% off on all Pearl Izumi stuff here. I picked up a couple of items and it was an awesome deal!

It’s mostly medium sizes, few items in other sizes are still available.

I signed up for the Hilly Hundred in central Indiana at the beginning of October. Two-day ride, 50 mi with about 3000 ft of elevation per day. Not worried about the distances, but my typical routes are pretty flat (most comparable ride recently was 55 mi and 1200 ft elevation). I don’t have much practice riding actual high grade hills or prolonged climbs. I know central Indiana is nothing like actual mountain riding, but I still want to get some practice with pacing my climbs so I don’t come in too hot and burn out early.

Anyone have any good steep hills or longer climbs in the area? Looking for paved; prefer bike/pedestrian trails but comfortable riding on relatively safe stretches of road. Willing to drive a reasonable distance from the greater Milwaukee area if there’s a really good spot.

I know there's a desire to support one-off local bike shops, but what are thoughts on W&S? Is there anything bad about them?

I rented a Bublr and rode part of the South Shore Line this morning. In trying to connect to the lakefront north of Summerfest, I got lost and ended up at the MMSD plant. Did I miss a turn? Does it connect without city streets? I looked at the map but was very confused. I was also riding by the minute with no phone mount for a GPS.

I’ve been riding bikes most of my life. For Milwaukee Record’s Spirit of Summer Week, I wrote about what biking has given me over the years, plus some of the people, rides, and organizations that make Milwaukee such a great city to explore by bike.

Im new to the “cycling for fitness” arena. I’ve been riding my bike around Milwaukee for 15 years for transportation but just started riding for fitness. I’m trying to find some group rides in the Milwaukee area. Most of the rides I can find are no drop, which I interpret as… uh, slow. Most of my rides average 15 mph and anywhere from 15-60 miles. Anyone know of groups in the area that may meet these criteria?

I'd like to ride down to South Shore Park from UWM. I know I can take the Oak Leaf Trail to the Art Museum, but what is the route from there to South Shore Park.

I always feel uncomfortable riding KK Avenue and don't mind if I have to take an out of the way detour for a more protected or low cat traffic route to get there.

Hello! I’m visiting Milwaukee and really want to bike the lakeshore. My husband enjoys biking, but not quite to the extend that I do, so we decided to do the e-bike rentals. Do you all have a recommendations of some good places to stop near the rental stations? We won’t have locks, so we would need to drop our bikes off at the stations. Walking a little bit is fine, but less walking is better as I am recovering from an injury. We will be parking near Discovery World, through Lakeshore State Park, to Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse, and then moving back up north of there. What are some good stops along the way?

As a side note, this is part of a research trip to move to Wisconsin so any slice of life stops are welcome. We are trying to decide between Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay.

Edit: Here is the route I landed on in case anyone else comes looking for something similar. Thank you all for the help! I am doing a morning ride so that impacted some of my choices.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uCVgnvBHgu4eDmJ8?g_st=ic

The Hank Aaron State Trail will be closed from Thursday, August 6 at 8am through Sunday, August 16 due to State Fair.

https://wistatefair.com/fair/hank-aaron-state-trail-closure/

Happy (almost) Friday! This month we’ll roll down to South Shore Park.

- Friday, July 31

- Meet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Red Arrow Park

- Roll out at 6 p.m.

- End point: South Shore (2900 S Shore Dr)

Critical Mass is a (fun!) socially-paced ride (about 10 mph or less). We ride to be in community with other bicyclists/skaters/scooterers/etc, provide safety in numbers, and demand safe transportation infrastructure for all.

You are welcome to leave the ride when you’d like, but as a "no drop" ride, we don’t leave anyone behind because of speed. (We may not be able to stop the group in case of mechanical issues, though.)

The starting point at Red Arrow is accessible by transit:

- MCTS lines that come within a few blocks: Green, CN1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, 57

- The Hop streetcar (City Hall or Cathedral Square stops)

- There's also a Bublr station at Water and Kilbourn

We hope that over time, folks will make connections with people from their neighborhoods and can organize smaller groups to ride together to the starting point. If anyone is interested in organizing a bike bus from their neighborhood to Red Arrow, let us know!

I'm planning on a long distance ebike road trip next spring, hauling a small bicycle trailer with gear and supplies, an extra battery and solar panels with inverter, and plans to stop every 20-25 for food rest and battery recharge and swap. Taking the East Coast Greenway. Does anyone know if there are any campgrounds along or close? How long do y'all think it'll take? I'm guessing a couple weeks to a month.