Coon Valley Coulee Express Bicycle Route

Moderately-Hard
It’s your call — choose any of the three loops, adding hills and miles to this tour of the coulees of the Driftless. All three options start with a small climb just northeast of La Crosse before the fast descent into Barre Mills. But this is just a warm- up before the big County YY climb up the Highway 33 ridge. The shortest option then heads back to La Crosse with a fast descent down County YY and back to the city on the HWY 14/61 shoulder. The two remaining options head east to St. Joseph’s Ridge and the first stop at the friendly folks at the local Star Market. A big descent of the ridge is then followed by the inevitable long, gradual climb. A twisting descent on Hwy 162 takes riders into Coon Valley, with several rest break options. The medium-length 48 mile loop then follows Coon Creek to Chaseburg before the final big climb over Church Hill on County K and back to La Crosse. But back in Coon Valley, those who choose the long loop now have a “Driftless monster” of a climb up Sveum Ridge Road (also known as Old Mill road). This climb has grades as steep as 17-18 percent and a scenic switchback though an old farm at the top. A few additional rollers await before the descent to Chaseburg and the last climb on County K on the return to La Crosse.

Short Route (29 miles)

Medium Route (48 miles)

Long Route (56 miles)

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