Where To Get Out In Franklin For Wisconsin Bike Week

FRANKLIN, WI — This week is Wisconsin Bike Week. The annual event, which comes a bit late this year, marks Wisconsin's love of bikes and sets aside a week to do just that.

Wisconsin Bike Fed, a statewide bicycle advocacy group, holds the event each year. The program brings coordination between Bike Fed and local groups across the state for a week full of celebrating bikes.

Franklin is home to one of a few mountain biking trails in Milwaukee County, the Kegel Alpha Trail. Besides that, there are about seven miles of paths for bikes to ride on, and countless miles beyond city limits.

Whether it's long-haul trips, mountain biking, BMX tricks or a nice leisurely ride, here are some spots around Franklin you may have not known about that are great for bikes.

You can also check out a map of Milwaukee County's trail systems here.

Mountain Biking

Franklin boasts one of very few local mountain biking trails, the Kegel Alpha trail. Here's how to get your MTB on there.

The trail is a four-mile trail with a few rocky and steep segments. Parking can be found at the Rock Sports Complex or 6740 S 92nd Street. Riders should go counter-clockwise and avoid the trail when it is wet, according to TravelWisconsin.com.

Long Haul Rides

If you're in it for the long haul, here are the best trails to hop on. Hint: The Oak Leaf and Hank Aaron Trails are key.

The best way to access trails is the Root River line. It runs between the Franklin Sports Complex and Hansen Park. You can access the trail at the Milwaukee County Sports complex and ride it to Wauwatosa, Greenfield and beyond.

The trail follows the Root River Parkway. Near Whitnall park, there's a 3.5-mile loop. From the Root River line, one can connect to trails that run in every which way.

Another good trail to check out is also the Franklin Hike-Bike, a trail that runs between Muskego and Franklin. You can access the trail from St Martins Road just south of Forest Home Avenue for a dozen miles of trails. ]

View a full map of the Oak Leaf Trail and other trails here.

In It For The Destination

Sometimes riders are just biking to get somewhere. If that's the case, here are some trails that lead you to Milwaukee County's most brilliant spots.

For the best ride start on the Root River Trail. If you start at the Rock Sports Complex, ride east until you hit Dale Creek, then head south. You'll hit the Drexel Connector, which can lead you east toward Oak Creek.

After riding east on the Drexel Connector, ride north from Abendschien Park. This route will connect you all the way to downtown Milwaukee.

Along the way, you'll spot a host of lakeside parks such as Grant Park.

Streets To Avoid

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation put together a map that conveys the best parts of Franklin to bike in, but also the worst. Main highways with high traffic volumes should be avoided, according to WisDOT's map.

Roads such as Ryan Road and County Road U are high volume and should be avoided, the map shows.

The rule sticks in general. Roads with a lot of cars and no bike lanes are not as great for riding. Luckily, Milwaukee County's trail system helps to avoid that.