The Wisconsin Department of Transportation established the Rustic Road Program in 1973 to preserve what remains of Wisconsin's scenic, lightly traveled country roads. The BMW riders of Wisconsin consider these our own, "Open-Sesame" gateways to relaxing afternoon rides, guaranteed to leave us in a better state of mind by the time the helmets come off at the end of the day.

Because these roads are rarely used, they seem to be custom-made for motorcyclists. With that in mind, Wisconsin's Department of Transportation offers us extra incentive: Take a picture of your bike at 10 of the numbered Rustic Road signs and you'll be eligible for a Rustic Roads Motorcycle Tour patch. 25 Rustic Roads qualifies you for a special state certificate.

There are 103 of these jewels that meander through some of the quietest forests and past some of the clearest streams that Wisconsin offers. Unique brown and yellow signs mark the routes of officially-designated Rustic Roads. Located throughout the state, you won't need to ride far in any direction to locate one or more.

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Just a few miles southwest of the rally site are a network of narrow roads that wind through the hills around the base of Holy Hill. Don't miss Hogs-Back & St Augustine Road, and watch out for that unexpected descending-radius curve. (Don't ask me how I know.) These comprise Rustic Road 33. You are going to want to get lost in here for awhileÉ

Would you rather head east from the rally site? Have I got a road for you! Paradise Road (Rustic Road #52) offers a scenic panorama of the surrounding countryside and is literally just minutes from the rally gate.

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From there, you are a stones-throw from Rustic Road 86. These 20 mph curves will have you laughing out-loud, inside your helmet. R86 offers the traveler scenic views of rugged forest and open prairie as it meanders through the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The Waterville Road route also provides access to the Ice Age Trail and the Scuppernong Hiking Trail.

The Wisconsin Rustic Road booklet is free from our Dept of Tourism. BE SURE to request this when you call (or email) for information. It is perfect "Tank-Bag" size.

The information is also available online at the link below. For more information on Rustic Roads, the awards program or to submit proof of ride photos, contact:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Bureau of Transportation Safety
Motorcycle Safety Program
P.O. Box 7936
Madison, WI 53707-7936
(800) 368-9677
www.dot.wi.gov/travel/scenic/rusticroads.htm