Perfect moments of Madison

It's been almost a week since we left Madison, but it was so amazing I just have to tell you about it!

The ride into Madison was a whopping 43 miles, probably the shortest day we've had since the first week of this adventure. The only thing I remember from the ride is arriving in the city. We knew we were in Madison not because of a city sign, but because we were on a bike path.

Capital City Path, lined with a community garden

Madison is known as a bicycle-friendly city (rated by the League of American Bicyclists as a Gold City, same as Eugene). Taking a look at the businesses located in Madison (or right outside), it's hardly a surprise that this town is filled with many bicycle-enthusiasts who plan, advocate for, and even fund bicycle facilities and amenities in town.

Great bike/ped bridges

First of all, Trek is headquartered in Waterloo, just twenty miles north of Madison, and the only two corporate-owned Trek stores are in Madison proper.

Trek graciously sponsored Stella & I, supplying us with tires, tubes, a couple of chains, and jackets. So we went to the store to get restocked, and say hello to our friends there. The mechanics were wonderful and took care of our every need with the utmost attention. It was like being in  a bicycle tourer's heaven.

Protected bike lane

Trek also is the umbrella company and Madison sponsor of B-cycle, one of two major bike sharing companies in the U.S. Since bike share is coming to the University of Oregon campus, we took a tour of the bicycling facilities with two B-cycle employees, Claire and Mandy, on B-cycles. It was a perfectly cool summer day, and so much fun to nerd out in the cities on colored bike lanes, bike boxes, and protected bike lanes.

I'm lovin' the ride!

In so far as the culture here, Madison is very liberal, home to University of Wisconsin (go Badgers!), filled with community gardens and wonderful places to eat and drink. I was happily surprised every time I went in search of food, I was able to find not only gluten-free options, but entire gluten-free menus and bakeries. Ahhhhh... to be in both gluten-free and bike heaven... 

Yes, I could stay here for a little while... but don't worry, Mom, Dad, my friends at the Janet Smith Cooperative - I'm still heading west toward Oregon (or as everyone says it out here, Ory-gun).


A special THANK YOU to Lee Jones, Tyler Reeder, Chuck McFarland and Claire Hurley for being such amazing hosts and taking care of us and our bikes with so much love and attention. You made my first Madison experience unforgettable!!!