The best road cycling routes in Lafayette County

Lafayette County, situated in Wisconsin's unglaciated Driftless Area, offers a diverse and engaging landscape for road cyclists. You'll encounter rolling hills, picturesque farmlands, and scenic river valleys. This unique topography provides both challenging climbs and gentler stretches, ensuring varied elevation profiles throughout your ride.

Yes, Lafayette County offers options for various skill levels. For an easier ride, consider the Roadbike loop from Mineral Point, which is 19.1 miles long and leads through rolling hills and farmlands. Another easy option is a shorter Roadbike loop from Town of Platteville, covering 16.2 miles.

Lafayette County's routes are rich with scenic beauty. You'll cycle through winding country roads, past wooded hillsides, and alongside rivers, often with cows dotting the fields. The region is known for its unique Driftless Area topography. While not a dedicated road cycling route, the nearby Rustic Road 66 offers particularly gorgeous views, especially vibrant with fall colors, and features an abandoned lead mine as a point of interest.

While many county roads are open to cyclists, Lafayette County also features dedicated trails. The Mound View State Trail, spanning 7 miles from Belmont into Grant County, is an exclusive bike and pedestrian trail with a blacktop finish, offering beautiful views of the Platte Mounds. The Pecatonica State Trail, over 10 miles from Belmont to Calamine, also provides scenic views of the countryside and is open to biking, though surfaces can vary.

The komoot community highly rates road cycling in Lafayette County, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Cyclists frequently praise the diverse terrain, from rolling hills to river valleys, and the picturesque farmlands that define the region. The quiet country roads and scenic vistas are often highlighted as key attractions.

For those seeking a longer challenge, the Fat Cat Coffee Works loop from Yellowstone Lake State Park is a popular choice. This moderate route covers 54.3 miles and explores the area around Yellowstone Lake State Park, offering a substantial ride through varied terrain. Another moderate option is a 29.6-mile Roadbike loop from Town of Platteville, featuring terrain typical of the Driftless Region.

The spring, summer, and fall months generally offer the best conditions for road biking in Lafayette County. Fall is particularly vibrant, with the changing leaves adding spectacular color to the rolling hills and wooded areas, especially along scenic drives like Rustic Road 66. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out.

Yes, many road cycling routes and trails in Lafayette County have accessible parking. For instance, routes starting from Yellowstone Lake State Park or the Town of Platteville typically offer convenient parking options. It's always advisable to check specific route details for parking information before your ride.

Yes, Lafayette County has several multi-use trails. The Cheese Country Trail, a 47-mile trail from Mineral Point to Monroe, is open to bicyclists but is also popular with ATVs/UTVs, and its surface can be challenging for road bikes. Similarly, all county 'lettered' highways are open to ATVs/UTVs, so cyclists should be aware of shared usage on these roads.

Yes, Yellowstone Lake State Park, located between Blanchardville and Argyle, offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and is a starting point for some cycling routes. The nearby Yellowstone Wildlife Area, a 4,000-acre property, provides birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing amidst rolling uplands and old oak savannah, which can be explored in conjunction with your cycling trip.

Many of the road cycling routes in Lafayette County are designed as loops, offering a convenient circular experience. Examples include the Fat Cat Coffee Works loop from Yellowstone Lake State Park, the Roadbike loop from Town of Platteville, and the Roadbike loop from Mineral Point, allowing you to start and end at the same location.