Where to Ride

Popular Routes & Destinations

Rail trails, bridges, rivers, tunnels, and more! Get out there and ride along the gorgeous river and lake views that make Eau Claire a beautiful place to be.

While you can take your rental on any road or urban trail you’d like, we can recommend several paved (and wooded/packed gravel) bike trail options departing from and returning to The Local Store, with minimal on-street travel.

Pick from several popular urban loops from 5 to 13 miles, take a longer trail ride north to Chippewa Falls or south along the Chippewa River, or just ride wherever you want!

URBAN LOOPS (5)

City Center River Route

8 miles / 40 minutes
(paved bike trail)
This signature route takes you to many of the highlights of the city accessible exclusively via paved bike trails. Start through Phoenix Park and venture up to the epic High Bridge over the Chippewa River and overlooking the dam and Cascades paper plant.
Full Trail Description »

Putnam Park Woods Route

5 miles / 25 minutes
(paved bike trail, streets, packed gravel)
Ride some downtown trail, then on a few streets through the historic Third Ward neighborhood to the highlight of the ride, the Putnam Park nature preserve trail …
Full Trail Description »

Ultimate Eau Claire Bridge Route

13.5 miles / 1 hour, 10 minutes
(paved bike trail, packed gravel, neighborhood streets)
With two rivers and a lake in the heart of our town, there are some amazing bridges to be crossed. On this epic ride you’ll cross ten of them, as well as enjoy five city parks, ride through two tunnels, and see many …
Full Trail Description »

Altoona’s River Prairie Route

8 miles / 40 minutes
(paved bike trail, sidewalks, streets)
Take the Old Abe Trail alongside the Eau Claire River and historic Banbury Place (the old Uniroyal Tire Factory) and out toward Altoona. Cross the busy bridge on a protected bike path, and enter into the new River Prairie Neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and …
Full Trail Description »

City Commuter Route

10 miles / 55 minutes
(paved bike trail, sidewalks, and street crossings)
While this route does take you along some of the beautiful parts of our trail system along the Chippewa River and through Owen and Phoenix Parks, as well as the Water Street District, the point of the route is to take you through more of the outlying commercial areas that get you more acquainted with various parts of the town.
Full Trail Description »

OUT-AND-BACK TRAILS (2)

Chippewa River Trail to Hwy 85 Tunnel

16 miles / 1 hour, 20 minutes
(paved bike trail, $3 trail pass eventually required)
Start at the Chippewa River Trailhead right in Phoenix Park downtown, and take the bike path along the mighty Chippewa River through Owen Park, near UW-Eau Claire, and behind Water Street. Soon you’ll come to an interchange where you get on the majestic rail bridge next to Clairemont Avenue, this is your gateway to the longer Chippewa River Trail segment taking you out of town and through some beautiful woods in the low areas along the river …
Full Trail Description »

Old Abe Trail to Chippewa Falls’ Riverfront Park

22 miles / 1 hour, 50 minutes
A popular stretch of trail through suburban development areas between the two cities — you’ll eventually arrive at Chippewa Falls’ Riverfront Park alongside the Chippewa River, with access to the charming downtown of the city …
Full Trail Description »

Mileage & Times

While mileage for these loops and routes are accurate, the time offered is only an estimate. These times reflect a very casual pace of 12mph, assuming the occasional stop or photo opportunity, etc. Of course if you plan to get off your bikes to shop, eat, or sightsee, you’ll need to plan for more time.

Trail Maps

Both printed and digital route maps are available when you check in for your rental.

Trail Navigation App

Download the Ride with GPS App to put these routes on your phone. We’ll provide instructions when you check in.

How to use RideWithGPS for free?

RideWithGPS usually requires a yearly membership (of about $60). But we've arranged for you to use it for free.

Step 1) Download the App

Step 2) Make an Account

Which requires: your name, email, and make up a password

Step 3) Follow Us

After you've created your account, follow “Eau Claire E-Bike Rental” on RideWithGPS, which makes the app FREE for you to use.

Click Here to Follow Us »

How do I follow the digital maps while riding?

It can be helpful to put in one earbud so you can hear the direction cues, while keeping the other ear open for your surroundings. When following along visually, please be careful and stop before looking too hard at your map.

Where to NOT Go

Please keep in mind our bikes are city recreational e-bikes not meant for off-road riding or bumpy singletrack trails.

Except for urban gravel like Putnam Park, please do not take the bikes to any offroad parks or trails not meant for bikes.

Also keep in mind that for your safety and that of pedestrians, riding bikes on sidewalks in downtown Eau Claire commercial areas is not permitted. If riding through downtown, please ride carefully to the right edge of the road or lane and not on the sidewalk. However, bikes may be ridden on sidewalks in residential neighborhoods.