FREEDOM’S LANDING

Now you can experience one of the most storied treks to freedom in American history – by bicycle. A clandestine network of routes and safe houses that helped enslaved Americans find freedom, the exact origin of the name is not known; however, by the 1820s both those who aided freedom seekers and those who were angered by the loss of their human “property” began to refer to an Underground Railroad. In its most developed form, the Underground Railroad offered local aid to runaways, assisting them from one point to another. “Conductors” would guide the freedom seekers to a safe “station” on the route north. After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad evolved from its loosely organized beginnings to something more deliberate and organized. Despite the illegality of their actions, and with little regard for their own personal safety, people of all races, classes, and genders participated in this widespread form of civil disobedience. The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route honors the bravery of those who sought their freedom and those who provided shelter. Please enjoy your ride through the area known as Freedom’s Landing.

General notes about the three bicycle routes Brown County has to offer: All loops are best ridden in a clockwise direction. If riding on a weekday try to ride between 9AM and 3PM. Old US Highway 68 has light to- moderate traffic with two lanes and no shoulder. It is a popular cycling road so motorists are generally aware of bicyclists. Most road surfaces are chip seal or tar roads with loose gravel. Wildlife is abundant in the area. Watch for deer in the road, particularly on descents. Many of the roads in these loops will have rolling hills.

Welcome to the first in a series of day trip maps created for people to actively experience history. This tour is the product of a collaborative effort between Brown County Tourism and Adventure Cycling Association and features three loop routes that will transport you into the rich Underground Railroad history of Brown County.