You couldn't ask for a more beautiful day out on the Milwaukee River Trails. I regularly train on this route, so I figured it'd be fun to join in/start the FKT challenge.
I started at the top of the steps, just off of Port Washington Road. The single track on the east side of the river was in great shape (despite the usually muddy sections) and speckled with walkers, joggers, and fishermen. There are a number of minor variations in the trails on this side, but none that make much of a difference in the speed of navigation. After crossing the pedestrian bridge just south of North Ave I immediately tucked down onto the trail along the flood plain. This section ran fast as the grasses have not yet become overgrown. This was the first of a number of optional forks along the west bank. After navigating back onto the wider path, I was joined again, this time by cyclists, swarms of gnats, and the occasional deer. After a number of navigational options, the last couple of miles run quickly on mostly single-track dirt and gravel.
This route is truly a gem and an oasis in the city of Milwaukee. I'm grateful to all those that help care for our trails and for the wildlife that keeps running on the trails exciting.