Ride with Leinie Returning to Scenic Vilas County July 26th

By Gary Ridderbusch

The 14th annual Ride with Leinie will return to Conover Saturday, July 26th, including five ride options for bicyclists in the scenic North Woods of Wisconsin.

The ride, a fundraiser for Great Headwaters Trail Foundation (GHTF), features the Conover-Phelps Trail (C-P Trail) in eastern Vilas County. The C-P Trail, completed in 2021, is 10.2 miles long and connects the towns of Conover and Phelps. The surface on the first 8.7 miles is hard-packed crushed stone with flat terrain as it travels the former bed of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. Riders cross bridges over two creeks and travel through scenic wetlands and woodlands. The final 1.5 miles is paved and hilly as it descends into Phelps.

Participants may choose from a 20.4-mile trail ride from Conover to Phelps and back led by beer legend Dick Leinenkugel, a shorter 10.4-mile trail ride on the C-P Trail, and 20-, 40-, and 62-mile road-ride routes. The 62-mile ride, or Metric Century Ride, will take riders from Conover to Star Lake, Eagle River, Phelps and back to Conover.

Following the ride, participants will gather at the Conover Town Park for the after-ride party where Leinenkugel will emcee the festivities with plenty of Leinenkugel’s on tap and raffle drawings for three bicycles. Leinenkugel, an Eagle River resident and retired past president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, said he’s excited to be a part of the ride.

“For 14 years, Ride with Leinie has been more than just a bike ride — it’s a celebration of Wisconsin’s great outdoors and a commitment to building and maintaining trails that connect communities and enhance recreational opportunities,” said Leinenkugel. “The Great Headwaters Trails organization plays a vital role in preserving and expanding these pathways, and I’m proud to support their mission. Every year, we bring together friends, families and cycling enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the North Woods while making a lasting impact on our local trails. It’s a ride with purpose, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

GHTF is a nonprofit, volunteer organization based in Eagle River. It’s mission is to develop and support a system of family-friendly community bicycling and walking trails in eastern Vilas County. GHTF is currently working on developing the River Trail, which will connect Eagle River to St. Germain and the 55-mile Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail System.

Last year, Ride with Leinie hit a record 405 participants, with participants from as far away as California, Texas, New York and Florida, according to Laura Van Valkenberg, ride director and president of GHTF.

“Much of the event’s popularity comes from the involvement of Dick, Jean and Katie Leinenkugel of the legendary Leinenkugel Beer family. Their engagement with participants creates a truly unique and memorable experience,” said Van Valkenberg. “This is a fun, high-energy event that not only supports a great cause but brings cyclists together from near and far.”

The event is an important fundraiser for GHTF, but also an avenue for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to its mission: developing and supporting a network of family-friendly, community bicycling and walking trails that connect the communities of eastern Vilas County.

Thanks to proceeds from Ride with Leinie over the past two years, GHTF has contributed $20,000 — split evenly between the towns of Conover and Phelps — to support Conover-Phelps Trail maintenance funds.

“GHTF played a key role in helping these towns build the Conover-Phelps Trail. We secured funding by writing grants and reaching out to generous donors, ensuring the trail was built without relying on local tax dollars,” said Van Valkenberg.

To maintain the trail, the towns of Conover and Phelps have established dedicated maintenance funds. Additionally, much of the routine upkeep — such as clearing fallen trees and trimming branches — is handled by a dedicated group of volunteers from “Friends of the C-P Trail.”

“While GHTF does not own the trail, we remain committed to supporting it by raising funds to ensure its continued care and accessibility,” said Van Valkenberg, who noted the Ride with Leinie is one of the major fundraiser events.

The Ride with Leinie registration fee includes the ride, t-shirt, picnic lunch and three beverage tickets for Leinenkugel Beer, root beer or canned water. The registration fee is $45 before June 26 or $55 thereafter until the date of the event. The ride is limited to 450 participants.

For more information or to register for Ride with Leinie, visit www.bikereg.com/ride-with-leinie.