As we learned returning from the Black Earth Hilltopper on June 26, Old Sauk Road between Timber Lane and Pioneer Road is closed for construction for the foreseeable future. According to the Town of Middleton, through which Old Sauk Road passes, the new road will be widened by 4 feet from Timber Lane to Swoboda and by 8 feet from Swoboda to Pioneer. Although the road will not have dedicated bike lanes, the wider traffic lanes will improve bicycle safety.
What to do in the mean time? The official detour is to take Timber Lane to Mineral Point, Mineral Point to Pioneer (there is a church on the corner) and Pioneer back to Old Sauk. Note that Twin Valley, used on some rides as a connector from Old Sauk to Blackhawk, leaves Old Sauk in the construction site, so it should not be used. Much of Old Sauk has been widened and is probably a safer route than Blackhawk at this point for most of its distance.
This incident points up the importance of ride leader scouting of the complete route prior to printing cue sheets. Club policy requires the leader to drive or ride every part of the route within a few days of the ride. The map and cue sheet must reflect a safe and open route, even if changes must be made at the last minute. For example, fresh pea gravel on a downhill should result in a reroute. Water over the road, if more than just a very short distance, should result in a reroute. We once rode past a bridge out on Spring Valley, but the contractor had conveniently positioned boards across the creek so that we could carry our bikes to the other side. This event provided amusement rather than emotional reactions. The ride leader who is on the scene has to make the call. Erring on the side of safety is never incorrect.
I will be individually notifying all leaders of rides to the west of this situation.
Below is a detour that is suitable for cyclists. Because we most frequently use Old Sauk Road as a return route, the detour is clocked from the intersection of Timber Lane and Old Sauk. However, if you are using Old Sauk to leave Middleton or Madison, you can reverse the entries, starting from the intersection of Pioneer and Old Sauk. Please read the note below about the residential neighborhood through which you will be riding.
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
Old Sauk Road Detour – July, 2011
| No. | Turn | Miles | Total | Road | Ride Notes |
| 1 | S | 0.0 | 0.0 | On Timber Lane at Old Sauk Road | Old Sauk Road is closed between Timber Lane and Pioneer; continue on Timber Lane past Old Sauk |
| 2 | L | 0.3 | 0.3 | Black River | |
| 3 | R | 0.5 | 0.8 | Caribou | |
| 4 | L | 0.1 | 0.9 | Summerfield | |
| 5 | R | 0.3 | 1.2 | Magellan | |
| 6 | L | 0.1 | 1.3 | Swoboda | |
| 7 | R | 0.1 | 1.4 | Heather Knoll | |
| 8 | L | 0.7 | 2.1 | Pioneer | |
| 9 | R | 0.4 | 2.5 | Old Sauk | Continue east on Old Sauk |
| 10 |
Note: Street signs are visible but are hung low, made of wood and need to be watched carefully. This route goes through a residential neighborhood with streets designed not to accommodate through traffic. Therefore, you must make frequent turns. Also, please go slowly, use caution and show good road manners because you will encounter cars exiting driveways and children playing in the road. Homeowners on these roads are not accustomed to significant bike traffic.
