Ride 13 - New Path, New Loop!

An Oakwood bicyclist talks about the trail. 6/26/26 dwm

It was quite a celebration for a half-mile asphalt path but it wasn't the distance as much as it is what the new connection represents.

For bicyclists looking for a fast and safer way to work, the Tancho Path in Northeast Park connects Madison to the Sun Prairie Loop.

For people who live in the area around the American Family Insurance headquarters, including those at Oakwood, it provides access to Sun Prairie and a nearby shopping area while avoiding heavily traveled roads.

When Oakwood started its rickshaw program giving rides to older adults who found biking difficult, the routes were limited because the two main connections, American Family Parkway and Hoepker Road, were too busy for the three-wheel passenger bike to navigate safely. I looked into possible routes at the time, but even the simple road crossings involved high-speed traffic.

More than 70 were on hand. 6/26/2026 dwm

The Tancho Path winds between a stand of trees and prairie down to where it connects with the Sun Prairie Bike Loop which circles the city.

Go left to visit the Prairie Lakes commercial district with a variety of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater; or take a right into an industrial park where the Loop crosses Reiner Road and continues around Sun Prairie.

When I made the trek across Madison for the ribbon cutting, I was only aware of the Sun Prairie Loop but didn't know if it fully marked or ready to ride. Told that it was, since I was already there, I joined several Oakwood residents who rode a portion of the loop before heading around the city counter-clockwise.

Most of the Loop is on a 10' path. dm

The loop officially opened in early June according to the city's website and is 22.7 miles. The signage is pretty good. There were a couple places where I would have liked one to be sure the path turned when you weren't paying attention. In several places, placing the signs a couple feet lower would put the signs at the right height.

The Loop was wonderful. I was surprised by the number of ponds and wetlands along the route and how in many places the path essentially meandered along the property line between backyards.

The trail also tracks through seven city parks which are conveniently spaced along the path.

There are a few stretches where the loop takes to the streets. Like the signage, there are large chevron-type direction arrows on the pavement when the path moves from trail to the street.

It's a great way around the city. I've been in parts of Sun Prairie, but taking this circle tour gave me context in how the city was laid out.

Residents on the trail. 6/26/2026 dwm

I was impressed by how close to the city limits the path seemed to follow it and wondered if future trails might be designed into neighborhoods and commercial districts.

My observation was that taking the loop counter-clockwise seemed to have more downhills than up. However, going the other direction provides a different perspective.

According to the Bike Computer:

Distance: 72 miles

Average Speed: 14.8 mph

Time in the Saddle: 4 hours, 51 minutes