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Basics
"... Once again GRABAAWR® has done a great job of delivering a high-value product. Thanks!," Jim S., Ft. Wright, KY
Overnights will be spent at schools along the route. Both indoor gym and outdoor camping is available at the overnights. Showers and bathrooms will be available at the overnights; along with the new Shower Truck; bring your own tent and sleeping bag for sleeping outside or just an air mattress and sleeping bag/blanket for indoor camping.
"The schools and overnight facilities were generally first class. The overnight campgrounds were the quietest in the evening and in the morning of any tour I've been on. The riders were very respectful of each other in that way. I enjoyed the Wisconsin scenery a great deal. The weather was beautiful. I didn't have to disassemble my recumbent. The breakfasts were very good and generally early enough for the early risers 4:30-5:00am. The Talent Show was a pleasant surprise. There were some excellent entertainers on the ride this year!",
David G. Arvada CO
The route We are very fortunate in Wisconsin to have a huge network of 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.
"I loved riding along a most beautiful route through WI along the WI river. The roads we road were often newly paved and almost free of cars and trucks, this route is definitely the best! I also enjoyed dining with a few new friends every day",
Ann B. Gurnee IL
Breakfasts and dinners are on your own, unless 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.
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.
Important note: No Meal Plans will be sold on the tour. Check out the Meal Plan menu in the Spring Pre-ride Newsletter.
Also local shuttle busses will be running from the overnight schools into town for folks that would like to eat in a local restaurant.
Lunches are on your own Along the route there will be community groups which will have a lunch stand setup or you will have your choice of local restaurants to stop in along the route.
"The Spring Green General Store had great organic, vegetarian food. It also had a good atmosphere",
Erica K. Lakewood WI
Luggage support during the tour will move your luggage in a 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 issue two luggage tags to each rider during check-in registration. Each morning you will take your luggage to the luggage truck 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 Daily 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.
"I did not need support from SAG or Mechanic this tour. SAG and Mechanic service are very useful when that time comes. The Rest Stops and water stops were a new item and a nice addition to the tour",
Ron N. Robins IL
Celebration Lunch At the finish of the tour everyone is invited to lunch to celebration the finish of a fun filled week! Your friends and family are invited to join you, (for a fee). At registration let us know if you are planning to attend. This is to give us a good idea of the food needed for the caterer. See you at the finish line!
Mechanical bike support and repair will be provided on the tour by the wonderful mechanics of Wheel and Sprocket.
"Wheel And Sprocket should be given the Gold Medal. The trucking company was excellent too. I shipped my bike direct to them and met the trucks in Rhinelander. They went above and beyond too",
Bryan H. Phoenix AZ
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.
"Great improvement having the SAG service connected via radio. Didn't use SAG service myself but needed to summon assistance for another rider between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids",
Steve L. Cudahy WI
Motorcoach and Bike Transport Option at the beginning of the tour is available for you and your bike. The motorcoach with included 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.
"…The bike transportation was the best I've experienced. The buses to Eagle River were very comfortable,"
David G. Arvada CO
Rider Services - 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. More details
Best Memories:"My tent already set up with my luggage at the door.. (used the tent service) also the thrill of making it up some challenging hill -- the outdoor sink set up at one of the church refreshment stops -- enterprising kids with their lemonade and cookie stands,"
Sigrid H. Holt MI
Rider Services - 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 each day at the info table. More details
Rider Services - Chair Service Option At the end of a long ride there is nothing better an relaxing in a nice comfortable camp chair. Our chairs come ready to relax in and they have the foot rests built-in. They also come with two cup holders for your favorite beverages and a soft pillow. What more could you want after a long day? Chairs will be available each day at the info table. More details.
Rider Services - Towel & Chair Service Option Treat yourself to both fresh towels and a cozy camp chair each day. Each will be waiting for you when you arrive into camp. More details.
Rider Services - 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 GRABAAWR® motels. Most of the motels will be a short biking distance from the overnight locations.
Motel Luggage Shuttle Service
Option This optional service will transport your luggage daily to your motel and pick it up next day. Bike 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. PRICE FOR THE MOTEL LUGGAGE SHUTTLE SERVICE IS PER PERSON. 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 for official GRABAAWR® Motels. More about the 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. Parking is at your own risk. You can prepay for the Long-term Parking Pass and pick it up when you arrive at the staging area.
Pre-Ride Camping is available, (for a fee), at the staging area the night before the tour. You can prepay for the Pre-Ride Camping Permit and pick it up when you arrive at the staging area. 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 or RV. 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, fill out the registration form and sign the waiver.
Best Memories: "The people, 71 year old Larry riding with 17 year old Kirby who worked for Larry the past two summers. Just two outstanding people riding together", Bob Y. De Pere WI
