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Basics

"Yes, we'll be back! The Northwoods ride is THE BEST! we've ever been on!," Ruth & Erland M., Huntertown IN

Overnights will be spent at schools along the route. Both indoor and outdoor camping is available. Showers and bathrooms are available in the schools; bring your own tent and sleeping bag for sleeping outside or just an air mattress and sleeping bag/blanket for indoor camping.

The route We are very fortunate in Wisconsin to have a huge network of low-traffic, two-lane roads on which to bike. These roads are heaven for bicyclists! Each day we will mark the route for you to follow on your bike. You can also refer to your cue sheets to help guide you along the route.

Breakfasts and dinners are on your own, unless you purchase the Meal Plan Option Because some overnight towns have limited eating accommodations it is recommended that you purchase the Meal Plan Option. The Meal Plan Option, (sold as a package), are healthy, plentiful, and convenient breakfasts and dinners, served at the overnight schools.  You can choose all the meals, breakfast only, or dinner only. Most riders do chose the Meal Plan Option.
These meals are hosted by local school and community groups and caterers which help raise funds for valuable school and community projects. By pre-purchasing a Meal Plan you help the groups properly estimate meals and avoid waste.
The first meal served is usually breakfast on the first day of biking, and the last meal is usually breakfast on last day of biking. A vegetarian option is always available; please indicate your choice when you register.  
If you do not choose the Meal Plan Option there are usually limited local restaurants available for meals. Important note:  No Meal Plans will be sold on the tour. Check out the Meal Plan menu in the Spring Pre-ride Newsletter. More details  
"The food as prepared and served by civic organizations was light years ahead of what I have experienced on nearly all other similar tours. Two serving lines...then reduce to one serving line is elementary for your vendors but is unheard of elsewhere. The homemade baked deserts were fabulous!," Bill H. Urbandale IA

Lunches Along the route there will be community groups which will have a lunch stand setup or you will have your choice of restaurants to stop in along the route. We'll have eating options available in your map packets.

Luggage support during the tour will move your luggage in a luggage truck each day between overnight sites. Your luggage will be at the next overnight site when you arrive.
Please consider using duffel bags with wheels for your gear. There is a TWO bag limit per person. Soft bags are easier to handle and pack than hard cases. We will issue two baggage tags to each rider during check-in registration. Each morning you will take your bags to the baggage trucks and load them. Please check the “what to bring list” for further packing recommendations.  

Daily Rest Stop will be provided every day on the route. It's a fundraiser for local groups and will be stocked with water, Gatorade, fruit, snacks and goodies for sale. Check your daily cue sheets for exact locations.

Route Water Stops In addition to the Rest Stops there will also be Water Stops along the bike route. These will be spaced out about every 10-15 miles. They will have water, bike pumps, first aid kit, cell phone and/or HAM radio communications and a place to get off your bike and relax. Check your daily cue sheets for exact locations.

Mechanical bike support and repair will be provided on the tour by the wonderful mechanics of  Wheel and Sprocket. Our tours also have Community Bike Shop Support.

SAG or “Support Aid Group” is provided for daily mechanical or emergency pickup along the biking route. It is not intended as a taxi service. You will not be SAG'ed if you venture off the official biking route.
"...I felt we were warmly received as a family group and all the staff were interested in our well being," Mary Ann D. Waukesha, WI

Motorcoach and Bike Transport Option at the beginning of the tour is available for you and your bike. The motorcoach and bike transport is chosen by most riders. We will take you and your bike from the tour staging area to the start of the tour. Our system does not require boxing your bike. The bikes are transported in moving vans by professional movers and protected in transit by moving blankets. More info will be provided in the Spring Pre-Ride Newsletter. More details.

Tent Service Option Are you tired of setting up, taking down and packing your tent everyday? Let us do it for you! You'll receive a roomy tent, camp chair and towel service for the week. You will need to bring your own mattress or pad. When you arrive your tent will be setup and ready for you to relax in. We will also transport your luggage daily. There is a two bag, 35 lbs per bag limit. More details.

Towel Service option  Ever pull a smelly, stinky, damp towel from your bag? When you sign up for the towel service you'll get a fresh, clean bath towel & wash cloth each day. Towels will be available daily at the info table. More details.

Motel Option is available for riders that would like to stay at motels or B&B's instead of camping at the overnight site. Consult the Motel list click here, for the Official Bike Northwoods Motels. Most of the motels will be a short biking distance from the overnight locations.

Motel Luggage Shuttle Option This optional service will transport your luggage daily to your motel and pick it up by the next day. Cycle directly to the motel and your luggage will be waiting for you. This service is only for your luggage and is not intended as a taxi service. There is a strict two bag, 35 lbs per bag limit. You can signup for either the entire week or just one night. Consult the Motel list click here for official Bike Northwoods Motels. More info about Motel Luggage Shuttle option.

Long-term parking at the staging area You can park your vehicle at the tour staging area for the week of the tour. You will need to pick up a Long-term Parking Pass if you intend to park your vechicle for the entire week. Pre-Ride Camping is available, (for a fee), at the staging area the night before the tour. More info in the Spring Pre-Ride Newsletter.

Non Riders or Personal SAG's are people who accompany a cyclist or a group of cyclists in a vehicle. Each vehicle is required to purchase an On-Tour Vehicle Permit. In addition each person in the vehicle is required to pay a Non Rider Fee, and to fill out the registration form and sign the waiver.

Great tour, excellent meeting updates on roads and weather. The route chosen was beautiful scenery, very quiet roads, safe & enjoyable riding," Michael N., New Berlin WI