Review Date
September 4, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: foolonthehill ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
When did this trail become Joel's River Adventure? Anyone from the east side knows it as the Milwaukee River Trails or as the Bonzai Bowl trails. The bowl that is mentioned in most of the reviews is the most distinctive feature. It's on the east side of the river near the Cambridge and Edgewood street entrance to the Cambridge Woods bike path. You get of this path and jump in on the trails that are closer to the river. These 2003 reviews about homeless people and gangters are ridiculous. I am down there EVERYDAY (I don't ride everyday down there but hike quite a bit with my dog) and most of the time you see no one or a trail runner or walker walking their dog. Under the bridges, there is some graffiti but the broken glass is rare.

Other reviewers have also pointed out that this is not an "official" trail and that is partially correct. Last year though, the Urban Ecology Center and volunteers did build a multi-purpose trail south of Locust along the river to North Avenue that is legit. You really do just have to get down there and mess around. Do be careful the first time through though because, reviewers are right, it can be very technical, or end in dead ends or crazy descents or climbs.

Recommended Route:
I don't really get to the west side of the river so I can only recommend the east side. Jump in at North Avenue. You could park in the McDonald's parking lot or go down under the North Avenue Bridge by the Bayou Bar and get down by the old Wheelhouse....it's closed. It's a tricky place to find; ask around. Once there though you'll find the trail on the east side and then just have at it and go north at least to Hubbard Lodge. So many little twists and turns it's hard to say a recommended route. I will say though, you don't want to end up right next to the river. Deadends and raccoon trails and tall grass are mostly down there. Kinda keep right but still down near the river.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The same ones everyone else recommends: Kettle Moraine South at La Grange both Emma Carlin and John Muir. Kettle Moraine North is supposed to have some new singletrack at Greenbush and I've heard that it's really good. Actually might go there tomorrow.

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Review Date
September 15, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: chunkmastafunk2 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I am Joel. Haha. Its a great technical trail that allows you to get out of the city while still being in the city. Use caution as the terrain can change. Any questions just let me know. Bring patches and or pump. Don't forget your balls for the bowl or ride the ledge.

Recommended Route:
Head to the end of Riverboat road. You can jump on either trail there using the footbridge and park your vehicle in a safe spot.

Review Date
December 13, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: MartyW ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The "Milwaukee River Trails" although long established and used often is not legally open to bikes. There is currently (Dec. 2004) only one legal MTB trail in the county, the Alpha Trail in Franklin

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Alpha Trail

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Review Date
May 11, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: matt2142 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Fairly technical single and double track with more tech single track found between locust and capitol on the east side of the river. A lot of ladder bridges to make it interesting and a few areas to catch some air. Don't miss out on the horseshoe shaped rollercoaster, just remember to keep peddaling or you wont make it back up the other side.

Recommended Route:
Warm up on the west side starting at North up to Capitol, go over bridge to east side and head south back to North

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Glacial Blue Hills

Review Date
May 5, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: therealfc ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I live close to this trail so its a no brainer for me to ride it but even if I lived miles away I would make the trip. I enjoy these trails and ride them nearly everyday in the spring, summer and fall. They rarely get old with the constant addition of new ladders, jumps and tricks. There is the broken glass but it has never caused me a flat but I never go out without patches. If anyone is from the area and wants to go out on this trail e-mail me im always looking for people to ride with.

Recommended Route:
drop in anywhere and pedal hard and often