Get out and ride in Fitchburg! The community is home to several top-notch trails that provide great experiences for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Here’s your guide to biking the ‘Burg.
Where can I bike in Fitchburg?
Fitchburg is a great hub for biking in southern Wisconsin. The city has a silver designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists and is home to several great local paths and state trails.
- Badger State Trail: 40-mile trail that stretches from Fitchburg to the Illinois state line.
- Capital City State Trail: Takes riders through Fitchburg, Madison and around the Lake Monona Loop
- Cannonball Path: Paved route on a former railroad corridor from the Beltline to McKee Road, including a bicycle overpass over the Beltline
- Military Ridge State Trail: 41-mile packed gravel trail that travels through Dane and Iowa counties
- Military Ridge Path: Extension of the Military Ridge State trail that connects to several other trails near Arrowhead Park
What’s a good time to explore the city?
The trails are always open and there’s always something happening in Fitchburg. A popular event coming up is the Agora Art Fair, which takes place Aug. 17. More than 100 artists showcase their work, there’s live music all day and this year the event features Momentum Pains Agora Live, a special live graffiti art demonstration. Many attendees ride to the fair and it’s a perfect centerpiece to a weekend on two wheels. Explore Fitchburg’s trails, check out the fair, bike to brunch on Sunday and bike to live concerts on Monday. Learn more about the events and other upcoming bikeable Fitchburg weekend events here.
Are there mountain biking options in Fitchburg?
Bikers can find some excellent mountain biking options at two recreation areas in the city. Quarry Ridge Recreation Area is home to 12 trails for all ability levels, from beginner to advanced. The trails, which total about 4 miles, were recently expanded and now include jumps, berms and wooden features. Quarry Ridge Recreation Area is a free park and can be accessed by bike from the Military Ridge State Trail or by car via a parking area on Fitchrona Road.
Seminole Mountain Bike Area offers 2 miles of riding on beginner to immediate trails located just a mile from Quarry Ridge. Use the Capital City Trail to access these trails. A shelter containing restrooms, water and a permanent bike pump are located on Seminole Highway. Seminole Mountain Bike Area is a popular trail system for fatbiking in the winter.
Do I need a trail pass?
Trail passes are required on state bike trails for bikers ages 16 and older. Passes can be purchased at self-registration stations on the Capital City Trail at Highway 18/151 and Syene Road and on the Badger State Trail at the parking area on Purcell Road. Trail passes can also be purchased on the second floor of Fitchburg City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road, or at Fitchburg Cycles, 2970 Cahill Main, Suite 101.
Fitchburg’s city paths—including the Cannonball Path, the Military Ridge Path and the Quarry Ridge Mountain Bike Trail—do not require a trail pass and are free to use.
Where can I get bike gear?
If you’re in need of a tune-up, some bike accessories (or even a completely new ride), stop by Fitchburg Cycles on Cahill Main. The store, which offers a wide selection of bikes and accessories as well as repairs and bike fittings, was voted as one of the top 100 bike stores in America in 2018.