Route Overview

Scott Hostetter

A full time, year round cycling enthusist, a bike tourer and commuter who hasn't had a driver's license, by choice, since 2004

54 mi.

400 ft.

A day ride from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh to visit Oshkosh's three breweries: 1) Fifth Ward Brewery; 2) Bare Bones Brewery; 3) Fox River Brewery and Restaurant.

Send to Device Advanced Export View Standard Route (with cuesheet)

Route Details

A mostly paved route except for the segment utilizing the @photo[Wiouwash Trail](17613989), which is a crushed limestone trail.  The route begins and ends at Fond du Lac's WEST Lakeside Park.  There are a few free parking areas to choose from at Lakeside Park West.  The route has very little change in elevation since it follows the lake shore of @photo[Lake Winnebago](17613973), the @photo[Fox River](17613986) and @photo[Lake Butte de Morts](17613990) in Oshkosh. There is a lot of riding with traffic on paved shoulders on US Hwy 45 and with traffic on surface streets in Oshkosh. If you're uncomfortable riding with motor vehicle traffic there are alternative routes to reduce the volume of vehicular traffic, but there will be no way to totally avoid traffic.  This is not a physically demanding ride at all and can be ridden just about any time of year.

The route between Fond du Lac and Oshkosh is ridden completely on US Hwy 45.  In Fond Du Lac county Hwy 45 has recently been completely resurfaced and the @photo[shoulders are wide and fully paved](17613972). However, upon entering Winnebago county Hwy 45 is has not yet been resurfaced, therefore the pavement is not as smooth, but cracked, and worn, and the shoulders are a bit narrower, but still enough room for a cyclist to ride comfortable on the shoulder.  This crossing of county lines and change in pavement occurs where E. Lone Elm Rd intersects Hwy 45, two points of interest (POI) are labled at this intersection, @poi[Wendt's on the Lake](154815249), and @poi[Lakeshore Mart](154815250), as well as a @poi[caution](154815251) marking.  The older pavement and slightly narrower paved shoulder continues until the route enters the city of Oshkosh at the intersection of Hwy 45 and @poi[E. Waukau Ave](154815257) where a dedicated bike lane begins.  I've included routing to Kwik Trip on Oregon Street since two of the breweries are only taprooms that don't serve food, other than snacks: pretzels, popcorn, etc. so having a little food and electrolyte drink comes in handy on a brewery tour ride in order to stay hydrated and fairly sober (wink, wink).  If you're not interested in stopping at Kwik Trip, then ignore the routing instructions for turning left at W. 24th Ave. at Ardy and Ed's Drive In.  After crossing the bridge over the Fox River on Hwy 45, aka Main Street, there is no designated bike lane as cars are allowed to park on the street, so for about four blocks the riding is directly in traffic, but since this is downtown Oshkosh with lots of cyclists & pedestrians, the speed limit is 25mph.  The local vehicle traffic expects lots of bikes and pedestrians in this area, so it's not too stressful for the average rider who does ride on city streets.  Obviously this route has the specific purpose to stopping to enjoy Oshkosh's three local Breweries, but there is a lot to see and do along this route including a lot of stops to take in scenic views of the lakes, river, the cute downtown, and university neighborhoods of Oshkosh, and if you'd like to go off route, a little detour to ride the Lake Winnebago frontage in Oshkosh, taking in @poi[Menominee Park](154819537), @poi[Ames Point](154819538) & the@poi[ Asylum Point park and lighthouse](154819539), is just another way to expand this route to see more of Oshkosh. @poi[ Downtown along Mainstreet](154821139) from the river to Parkway Ave there is a variety of interesting boutique and specialty stores, coffee shops, entertainment, bars and restuarants.  Upon turning left off of @poi[Main street onto Algoma Blvd. at the Sun Dial](154822407), the route heads west onto the @photo[University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus](17613988). Once the ride passes through the campus it's into a residential neighborhood where the route transitions on to the [Wiowash State Recreational trail](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wiouwash), a crushed limestone rail trail that has two segments, a norther and southern, the sourthern section is 22 miles that connects Oshkosh to Hortonville.

Since this is a Brewery Crawl Bike ride:

* [Fifth Ward Brewery](https://fifthwardbrewing.com/) Have a wide @photo[variety of brews](17618559) to try on @photo[tap](17613983) and offer @photo[5oz. tasters](17613985) and @photo[5oz.flights](17613966).  Fifth Ward does not serve food however there is a @photo[kiosk where customers can order local food](17613984) that is delivered to the brewery. There's also an @photo[outdoor bar and seating area](17613982) that has awnings, shade screens and several trees to create a pleasant patio experience.  The bike parking rack is also found in the outdoor seating area just inside the entry gate.  Fifth Ward has collaborated with Winnebago Bicycle Shop to create a couple of biking specific brews: 1) @photo[Ride Fast and Take Chances](17618600), an American IPA w/ Citra, Amarillo, & Mosaic Hops – 6% ABV, RFTC is crisp, balanced, and hits all of the hoppy notes IPA lovers crave. Expect fruity citrus up front with notes of pine and fresh cut grass on the finish. 2) @photo[Roll Slow and Take Er' Easy](17618598) A Hazy Pale Ale – 4.8% ABV, is a chill little sipper that isn’t skimping on delicious hop flavor. Rakau hops bring the low-riding stonefruit and mango notes while Sabro brings the lemon-lime and smooth coconut.  This one is my favorite, and not just because of the cool can design and name which fits the riding style of this takin er' easy slow roller 60 something bike tourer, but it's a very tasty brew.
 
* [Bare Bones Brewery](https://barebonesbrewery.us/)This little brewery is the outlier, it's out on the outskirts of Oshkosh just off the Wiowash Bike Trail near Lake Butte de Morts.  @photo[Bare Bones](17613996) has a dual meaning, the Brewery owners are huge dog lovers, so much so that many of @photo[their brews have direct or implied canine names](17613997), such as, "Dog Daze" an American IPA; "Shar-P’Haze" a hazy, juicy IPA; "Bitch in Heat" a fruity wheat beer; "Feed the Dog" a Wee Heavy Scotch Ale; and "Cafe du Bone" a coffee stout.  The canine inspired brews are part of what they call their "Off Leash" series.   Bare Bones is all about the beer, they don't over do it, it's "bare bones".  @photo[All their brews are too the point](17613994), simple, which actually creates some very complex flavor profiles.  I've never been disappointed with a @photo[flight at Bare Bones](17613967).  If you order one of their six 5oz. Flights, they toss in a bag of pretzels to clean your pallet.  Bare Bones, like Fifth Ward, doesn't sell food other than typical bar snacks: bags of chips, etc.  @photo[Bare Bones](17613992) also has a @photo[outdoor patio area and caters to cyclists](17613995) since the brewery sits just off the Wiowash trail.  My bet is this little brewery will impress even the most snobby beer connoisseurs, and if you have panniers, you maybe taking home a few 4 or 6 packs.

* [Fox River Brewing Company](https://www.foxriverbrewing.com/) has two locations: [Appleton at the Fox River Mall](https://www.foxriverbrewing.com/frbc-appleton/), and [Oshkosh on the Fox River](https://www.foxriverbrewing.com/frbc-oshkosh/) with a very @photo[large outdoor patio/seating area](17613999) with Tki Bar, @photo[several boat docks](17614000), and yard activities, like "Cornhole".  Fox River Brewery also has a full kitchen/restaurant with a [full menu](https://www.foxriverbrewing.com/oshkosh-menu/).  Fox River Brewery, like Bare Bones, has named several of their beers revolving around Fox river activities, like fishing.  Two of their most famous brews are probably their Red and Blu Bobber Ales.  The Blu Bobber is a blueberry ale, and the Red Bobber is a raspberry ale, but they also brew a Florida sour named Orange Bobber.  And for the lovers of Wisconsin lagers, Fox River has the "No Wake Lager".   I deliberately planned Fox River Brewery as the last stop on this Brewery Tour Bike Ride, even though on the route, Fox River Brewery is actually in between the other two breweries. Don't think that I planned Fox River last because they have the best beer, all three breweries have great beers to try and take home, but rather because the Fox River Brewery location directly on the river, with it's large indoor and outdoor foot print, full restaurant, yard games, is also an experience beyond the tasting of great Oshkosh brewed beers.  So Fox River just has a "finale" type of experience to end the day before riding back to Fond Du Lac.

# More resources

* Local Oshkosh Bike Shop: [Winnebago Bicycle](https://www.winnebagobicycle.com/)
* Local Fond Du Lac Bike Shop: [Fond Du Lac Cyclery](https://fdlcyclery.com/)

# Important Reminders

While this ride is a very easy ride, without any real hills, and only the challenge of riding in traffic on paved shoulders, dedicated bike lanes and briefly, in down town Oshkosh directly in traffic lanes for a few blocks on Main Street, if you do decided to do tastings at the three breweries, it's always important when consuming alcohol while riding bikes to remember always in moderation, and drink lots of water or even electrolyte drinks to remain hydrated, and remember to eat often to keep something more than liquids in your digestive tract, to make the most of this Brewery Ride.  Have fun, be responsible, and, as always, "Enjoy the Ride" (and the Beer ;^). )