Spinning my wheels
For me, Janesville is always at its most beautiful when I'm cruising through it on my bike.
Granted, that might be because I only go biking on warm, sunny days. But still, there's something about rushing along in the open air on a Saturday morning that makes you appreciate your community.
Normally, I take the Ice Age Trail that runs behind my apartment past Rotary Gardens, Palmer Park and the Youth Sports Complex. (Janesville has amazing bike trails, in case you didn't realize.) But I'm guessing the trail is still either flooded or contaminated, so I wandered aimlessly through streets around my apartment Saturday.
I rode through streets near my home I'd never been on before, or had only glanced at as I zipped along in my car on my way to an appointment. I saw beautiful historic homes, well cared-for gardens and green, inviting public parks. It put my neighborhood in a whole new light.
Meanwhile, it was nice to see a few spots where the water has gone down, though I still wouldn't recommend biking along Parker Drive north of Centerway, as I made the mistake of doing.
The weather looks to be gorgeous for a few more days, so take a spin outside if you have a bike. Make sure you wear a helmet and sunscreen!
Jul 10, 2008 at 12:40 a.m.
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This is a really nice town/city for bicycling. I have been a pretty active cyclist for years, and Janesville really has changed over the years. I'm still surprised that there really are not many cyclists around here, especially for all the trails that we have. Don't get me wrong there is a good share of riders out there, but have you ever rode up in Madison?
I think most trail enthusiasts in this town probably hate me, because I am always "buzzing" people when I fly by them. Not my fault they are slow, haha. The "off road" trails outside of the paved trails around palmer and Rockport park are a lot of fun if you enjoy true mountain biking. The Palmer off road trails are really beat up, and the mosquito's are insane. I went flying off my bike trying to hammer over a fallen tree, and was ATTACKED by a flock of swarming mosquito's! If you stay moving, it's not so bad, but still hard to keep them out of your face/eyes.
If you really want some awe inspiring trails, head out to Lake Tahoe in CA. West Virginia also has some of the most magnificent scenery that I have ever personally witnessed. However; if you want to ride those trails, you have to be quite a skilled rider; as they are VERY rugged.
Jul 8, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.
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The bike trail is definitely one of the bigger improvements in Janesville since I was a kid. It's now extensive enough that you can vary your route quite a bit (especially if you live almost downtown as I do).
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If you have an interest in the wonderful historic architecture that Janesville still has (while it still has it -- so much has been lost in a generation), the University of Wisconsin Digital Library has online (printable PDFs) versions of the walking tours of the six historic districts in Janesville here:
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/WI/subc...
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There's a lot of other stuff to browse there. These brochures are also available from the Rock County Historical Society and I have seen them at the Hedberg Public Library and the city information table at events.
Jul 8, 2008 at 2:34 p.m.
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When all trails are open, you can make a nice full loop starting by rotary gardens and following the trail across the river and past Monterey Stadium and eventually to what's known as the Peace trail parallel to the River and County Hwy D. It then goes along the Hwy 11 bypass. Then using Read Road you can loop back to Rotary gardens. It comes out to about 14 miles or so. If you start where the Ice Age trail starts by Sandhill, it ends up being a good 22 mile ride out and back. Please get out and enjoy the great trails that Janesville has. They are truely an asset to the community.
Jul 8, 2008 at 11 a.m.
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For those who'd like to bike with others can check out www.veloclub.org Janesville's local cycling club which offers over 10 different road and mountain bike rides each week.
Jul 8, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
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GOOD 4 YOU !!!! I wish I could bike 12 miles. I'd fallout in the 1st mile !! LOL
Jul 8, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.
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I love the ice age trails, Iam 82 and still biking about 12 miles every other day. By Rotary gardens I came upon a doe with three fawns.
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