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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)

Ride with GPS

Medium Route (48 miles)

Ride with GPS

Long Route (56 miles)

Ride with GPS
Sveum Ridge Road ClimbClick for more images from Coon Valley Coulee Express on Flickr.