Ride 4 - A New Trail

A short tunnel under Longford Terrace. 5/4/25 dwm

  After missing a ride last weekend, I was glad to see a sunny Sunday.

 After church, I put on my bike gear, only needing the long-sleeve jersey this time since it was in the low 60s, and after inflating the tires, headed out. 

 While most of the route was familiar, there was a portion that was brand new.

  The first part of the ride was on the Military Ridge trail then joined the Capital City trail going east. 

 

The new West Waubesa  trail. 5/4/25

The last time I was on the South Yahara Trail going through the Lake Farm County Park I noticed a new trail sign. 

Sunday, I decided to see what the West Waubesa Trail looked like and where it went. 

I'm not exactly sure when it was built but at least part of it opened recently. The trail on the west side winds through Capital Spring State Park to Waucheeta Trail road which stretches past dozens of houses. 

Some of them date back to when most cottages were used to get away from the city. Many are now the primary home, and in some cases, are larger and fancier than the neighbors.

It's a beautiful area with quiet country roads, all the way to Goodell Park.

The park has a boat launch and a lawn with picnic tables and room to run. Since this new trail is called West Waubesa Trail, I hope that someday the trail goes around the south end of Lake Waubesa to bring cyclists, runners, and pedestrians around to McFarland.

Lake Waubesa is beyond the trees. 5/4/25 dwm

 The last time I rode to Goodell Park I was with cyclists preparing for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Ride from Mequon to Sturgeon Bay. That was in 2016 when the only trail was the Capital City, and no path connected to McFarland or Lake Waaubesa at the time.

 I turned for home at the park after lunching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Turning around put the wind at my back for most the trip home.

 As I retraced the route on the Waubesa and South Yahara trails I returned to the Capital City trail where I left it, heading toward Olin Park in Madison.

American White Pelicans. 5/4/2025 dwm

 

On that stretch I saw an osprey as it flew from its nest. Ospreys are a species of raptor that build nests in dead trees and will also take advantage of platforms on poles created for them or build a nest on top of a power pole. That's where this osprey was nesting. I couldn't even try to get its picture. 

It's time for seasonal birds to return or stick around for a week or two before resuming their flights north. Some birds flying north include American White Pelicans throughout south Wisconsin.

On my way out of Verona I noticed a flock of pelicans. The big birds can be called a pod, pouch, or squadron. This group was relaxing on a series of ponds and lakes in a wetland east of U.S. Highway 151 near Verona. It's possible they stay all summer but I believe it's likely to happen further north.

Notice three flying pelicans. dwm photo

 In addition to the birds, I saw five deer waiting for a cyclist and a runner get out of their way before making their way single-file, from a field into the brush and out of sight.

 The weather seems to have turned toward summer. While there was a slight chill to start the day, by the time I was ten miles from home the long-sleeve bike jersey was uncomfortable. I think it's safe to say I won't wear it again until September.

 The new trail ride adds 40 miles to the year's total, which is now 158.