Stockholm Fondue

For those of you looking for a scenic and rolling ride along the Mississippi River that you really can’t get lost on, here’s the perfect ride for you: 78 miles and almost 3000 feet climbing  along the Mississippi River and and Lake Pepin between Prescott, WI and Stockholm, WI.  Almost the entire route is on WI 35 with good shoulders in most places, relatively low traffic, a number of great hills to climb, and great scenery.  This routes is not as hilly or complex as rides through the bluffs, but it is a perfect ride for some good exercise.  You can turn this into just over a century ride (105 miles) if you extend to Nelson, WI.

As for some of the hills, just out of Maiden Rock you will turn into the bluffs and enjoy a one mile climb that will hit an 11% grade.  Out of Bay City, you’ll find a nice steady climb of almost 3 miles (great for setting a rhythm) that averages in the 4% range but peaks near 6%.  Between Prescott and Diamond Bluff, you’ll find a few rollers that can take your breath away with 7% to 10% grades. City planners in Maiden Rock decided to put the town on a set of roller coaster hills to keep your interest.

Both Maiden Rock and Stockholm are great places to stop for food and water. Bay City has a gas station/cafe on the route and a couple of ma and pa places just across the tracks to the west.

Prescott, WI has a small parking lot (free) a half block off the main drag (left on Orange if coming from Hastings) and is where this ride starts.