Below are listed annual bicycle tours and festivals in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconson.
Annual non-profit events listed here are open to all cyclists. For officially-sanctioned racing events, check the cycling organizations such as NORBA and US Cycling.
International Ice Mountain Bike Race, 24 miles
over the ice between Potagannissing Bay, MI and St. Joseph Island, Ontario.
Early June
White Knuckle Mountain Bike Challenge Westby, WI
Two-day event includes three divisions of cross-country, downhill, and dual slalom racing. Entry fee: $20+ (2004)
Late June
Superior Bike Fest Marquette, MI
Three-day event includes a criterium, 80-mile road race, 24-mile XC and a downhill course, cash prizes (2005)
Michigander 100 to 350 miles
A two-, six- or seven-day mountain bike tour of Rail Trails and backroads. Cost: $75 to $270, includes two meals, baggage, showers and camping.
Late July
Tour de TART 19 miles Traverse City
End-to-end Tour of the TART and Leelanau Trail (half the distance is paved) from Traverse City to Sutton Bay followed by a buffet dinner, $20/25 (2005)
Late July
Flint Hills Death Ride Madison, Kansas
Two-day 70-mile mountain bike ride on gravel roads of the Flint Hills
Late Aug
Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic Marquette, MI
Mountain bike race from downtown Negaunee through Ishpeming to the Lakeview Arena in Marquette on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, choice of 28 and 48 miles more than 2,000 participants, cash prizes, junior rock and kids’ events, $35/55 (2005)
Mid-Sept
Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, Hayward, WI Choice of 16 or 40 miles rides, hosted by Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Club
Mid-Sept
Michigan Bike Festival, Grayling, MI
Road and mountain bike rides from 20 to 80 miles in length, bike games, kid's events, bike vendor expo, music, proceeds to benefit Hanson Hills Recreation Area, $30/$50 (2004)
Mid-Sept
Mickelson Trail Trek, Black Hills, SD
three-day 109-mile bike ride along the Mickelson Trail, from Edgemont to Deadwood, $125 (2004)
Road Biking
Date
Event, Location, Distance
Late April
Minnesota Ironman, Lakeville, MN
This recreational cycle tour (30/68/100 miles) around southeastern Minnesota attracts about 5,000 participants annually. Hosted by American Youth Hostels and The Twin Cities Bicycling Club, $30+ (2008)
Late April
Mountain Madness Bike Blitz, Thompsonville MI 27/51 miles
Route will go from Crystal Mountain Resort around Crystal Lake to the Point Betsie Lighthouse and back to the resort. Friday and Saturday night parties. Entry fee: $45, $136+ with accommodation
May-July
Bike Chicago, Chicago
Schedule of more than 100 events from May to July including Bike the Boulevard and Bike The Drive where cyclists can ride 15 to 30 miles on a car-free Lake Shore Drive, $40 (2008)
Early May
Pedals and Power, Council Bluffs, IA Poker ride 30 miles along the Wabash Trail to raise funds for Water for People, $25 + pledges (2008)
Early May
Ride for the Arts, Milwaukee, WI Ride 5 to 50 miles throughout Milwaukee to benefit the performing arts, $35 + pledges (2008)
Early May
QuadruPedal Century, Dodgeville, WI Challenging routes of 35, 55, 86 and 100 miles climbing between 1,500 and 9,000 feet in the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin, to benefit the Iowa County Humane Society, $45/$55 (2008) includes snacks, t-shirt and a meal
Mid May
Peak of Ohio Bicycle Tour, Bellefontaine, OH
Choice of three road tours, 10 to 30 miles through Logan County includes the highest point in Ohio hosted by the Logan County Convention & Tourist Bureau. Entry fee: $15 includes drinks and snacks (2005)
Mid May
Tour de Cure, Madison and Milwaukee, WI
Ride 25, 50 or 100 km to support the American Diabetes Association, $15/$25 + minimum $150 in pledges (2008)
Early June
Minnesota Bicycle Festival Twin Cities, MN
A five-day celebration including a five-day Pro stage race, amateur and kids races, expo and entertainment
Early June
Biking Across Kansas Kansas
Week-long 500 mile tour with choice of three routes averaging 60-64 miles/day, $165 includes camping/gym accommodations and some meals (2008)
Early June
Border Raiders Kansas
Eight-day 500-mile tour across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, $225 (2006) includes camping
Early June
Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska Nebraska
500-mile 7-day tour limited to 600 riders, $90 plus $80 shuttle (2006) includes camping
Early June
Udder Century Invitational, Union, IL
Choice of 31, 50, 62, or 100 miles through the dairy land of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, hosted by the McHenry County Bicycle Club, $20/$25 (2006) includes pasta dinner.
Early June
Tour of Lakes, Baxter, MN
Choice of 39 or 70 miles around the Brainerd Lakes, hosted by the Paul Bunyan Cyclists, $22 (2006), includes t-shirt.
Early June
http://www.bglob.com/tdc.phpTour de Cave Oakland, KY
Choice of 8, 16, 38 and 68 mile rides in South Central Kentucky, sponsored by the Bowling Green League of Bicyclists. Longer rides are through Mammoth Cave National Park. Registration fee: $15-20 (2008)
Early June
Tour de Cure Brighton, MI
7, 15, 30, 50, and 70 mile rides in support of American Diabetes Association, $15-25 registration fee plus $150 minimum fundraising (2008)
Early June
Tour de Cure, Green Bay, WI
Ride 15, 25, 50 or 100 km to support the American Diabetes Association, $15-$25 + minimum $150 in pledges (2008)
Early June
Bike Northwoods Tour Wisconsin
Week-long 360-mile tour (averaging 60 miles per day), follows a different route each year. Raises funds for cycling organizations in Wisconsin. Limited to 400 riders. Entry fees $280-$330 (2008) includes camping
Mid June
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure Ohio
Weeklong tour with about 3,000 riders follows a different route through Ohio each year, $145 (2005) includes camping
Mid June
Grand Illinois Trail And Parks Illinois
Week-long ride (370+ miles) along the Grand Illinois Trail and state parks along the trail, limited to 160 riders, hosted by the League of Illinois Bicyclists, $300 (2005) includes camping and meals
Mid June
Pedal Across Lower Michigan Michigan
Week-long ride (300 miles) across the state, $90 (2005) includes camping
Mid June
Tour de Cure, Twin Cities, MN
Ride 6 to 45 miles to support the American Diabetes Association, $15/$25 + minimum $150 in pledges (2008)
Tour Of the Mississippi River Valley, Bettendorf, IA
Two-day ride of 190 or 106 miles from Preston or Bettendorf to Dubuque and return, $48/$58 (2006) includes camping, t-shirt and banquet
Late June
Tour de Cure Middleville, MI
Choice of 15, 30, 50, and 70 mile road rides and 8&13 mile mountain bike rides in support of American Diabetes Association, $15-25 registration fee plus $150 minimum fundraising (2008)
Late June
Jordan Valley Bike Tour Jordan, MN
Annual bike tour begins from Jordan in southern Minnesota and proceeds 12, 20, 35 or 60 miles through somewhat hilly terrain near Heidelberg, Lexington, New Prague, Montgomery, and Belle Plaine, 5 rest stops, SAG, $20+ (2008)
Late June
EcoRide Ann Arbor, MI
Choice of rides from 2 to 65 miles in length, to benefit the Ecology Center, a non-profit environmental advocacy organization, $25-35 includes food, maps, SAG and raffle tickets (2005)
Late June
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure Ohio
Week-long tour with 3,000 cyclists, averaging 50 miles/day, follows a different route each year, $170/$190 (2008) includes camping
Late June
Touring Ride in Rural Indiana
About 60 miles/day during 6-day tour of south-central Indiana with camping overnights in state parks. $250, includes 12 meals, camping
Late June
Tour of Saints, St. Joseph, MN 35/50 miles
Hosted by College of St. Benedict Entry fee: $30-40 (2003)
Late June
BAMC Menominee River Century, Marinette, WI
15 km (10 mile), 40 km (25 mile), 80 km (50 mile), 120 km(75 mile), views of Lake Michigan, Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers, rest stops, burgers, brats, entertainment, SAG service. Entry fee: adults $20, kids $10 (2006)
Late June
Pedal Across Lower Michigan,
Six-day bicycle ride of 35 to 60 miles per day is suitable for families, $95 (2006) includes camping and t-shirt
Early July
Watermelon Bike Ride, Shoreview, MN
Choice OF 15, 25, and 55-mile routes, a 15-mile trail ride for families, and a bike skills rodeo, hosted by Twin City Bike Club since 1981. Entry fee: adults $30, families $50 (2005), lunch included
Mid July
Yikes! BIkes!, Leech Lake, MN
Bike 40 to 60 miles in support of Leech Lake Area Habitat for Humanity, $40 (2008)
Mid July
Ride Around Torch Lake, Elk Rapids, MI
Choice of 25 or 65-mile tour near Traverse City hosted by Cherry Capital Cycling Club, $15/$20 (2006).
Mid July
Holland Hundred Bicycle Tour, Holland, MI
Choice of 18 to 100-mile road rides along the west side of Michigan's lower peninsula, $15 includes pancake breakfast (2005).
Mid July
Habitat 500 500 miles, Minnesota
Week-long bicycle ride through central Minnesota to benefit Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to building homes for low-income families. Minimum pledge: $750 (2003)
The L.A.T.E Ride Chicago
After midnight ride from Buckingham Fountain downtown through Chicago's North Side and along the lakefront bicycle path (about 25 miles). Proceeds benefit Friends of the Parks' citywide parks advocacy work in Chicago. Participants receive a free t-shirt, rider goody bag, bicycle repair and first-aid help if needed, refreshments and rest stops, and post-ride breakfast. Entry fee: $40 until July 9th; $45 night of ride (2003)
Mid July
Northwoods to Capitol Tour 430 miles
$175, plus $175 donation to the Bike Federation of WI, includes t-shirt, camping
Late July
Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa
Covers 500 miles in 7 days, limited to 8,500 week-long riders and 1,500 daily riders so registration may be by lottery, $110 (2006) includes camping or $25/day for day rides
Late July
Great Greenway Tour Muncie, IN
Choice of 20 to 114 mile distances on paved trail along the Cardinal Greenway from Muncie to Marion, $12/$15 (2006)
Late July
Greene Trails Cycling Classic Xenia, OH
One to four days of cycling the Miami Valley Rail Trails, from 15-100 miles each day, hosted by the Xenia Chamber, $25-$85 (2006)
Late July
MS TRAM Minnesota
The Ride Across Minnesota 300 miles in 5 days to benefit Multiple Sclerosis Society. Entry fee: $65/130 plus minimum of $200 in pledges (2003)
Late July
Great Annual Bicycle Ride Across Wisconsin Wisconsin
Bike across the state 6 days at about 60 miles per day, $220-$270 (2008) includes T-shirt, camping, baggage transport
Early August
MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour, Waukesha, WI
A fully catered, one or two-day, 150-mile bike ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It starts in Waukesha with an overnight in Whitewater and a final leg to Madison
Early August
American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride, Cleveland, OH
Cleveland to Cincinnati cycling tour at about 60-90 miles per day, $150 registration + $2500 minimum donation for all four days or $500 for one day (2008)
Early August
Mad Anthony River Rally, Perrysburg, OH
Choice of 10, 15, 31, 62, 80 and 100 mile routes on low-traffic roads, $20/$25 (2008) includes breakfast
Early August
Mesabi Trail Tour Virginia, MN Bike 15 to 51 miles on the Mesabi Trail in support of Independent Public Radio, $40 (2008) includes T-shirt, food, and transportation of riders and bicycles from Virginia to Marble, Hibbing, or Buhl
Mid Aug
Ride for the Homeless, Dannebrog, NE 31/62 miles
Tour of the Loup River Basin in Central Nebraska hosted by Central Nebraska Community Services. Fully supported with free camping the night beofre and a pizza buffet after, $20. merritt13_1999@yahoo.com
Mid Aug
Tour da UP, Marquette
A 5-day road tour of Central Upper Michigan's historical mining heritage, 35 to 50 miles/day, adults $350, children $250 (2005)
Late Aug
DALMAC Bicycle Tour Michigan
Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Tour is a four- or five-day tour across Michigan with distances varying between 70 and 110 miles per day, $140-$175 includes meals, baggage transport and sag (2003).
Late Aug
Amish Harvest Century and Stagecoach Tour Hills, IA
Two-day ride follows former stagecoach routes, passing scenic farming towns throughout the Amish countryside, $25/35 (2006)
Late Aug
Bike Psycho's Century Coal City, IL
Choice of 30, 50, 70, 100 and 124 mile routes along the Illinois River organized by the Bike Psychos club, $15/20 (2006)
Late Aug
Wright Wride Dayton, OH 36, 63, 100 miles
Hosted by the Dayton Cycling Club, $10-$20 includes sag (2004).
Late August
Tour de Corn Mitchell, SD 15, 35 or 62 miles
Hosted by the Palace City Pedalers, $20-$25 includes T-shirt, lunch and sag (2004).
Early Sept
Indiana BikeFest Jasper, IN
Four-day bicycle festival to benefit Indiana Bicycle Coalition. Choice of road and mountain bike rides ranging in length up to 75 miles, $80 registration (2005) includes ice cream social with live entertainment, winery tour, monastery tour, bicycle movies, two lunches, one breakfast, maps, cue sheets, guides, rest stops with food and beverages, door prizes.
Early Sept
Jesse James Bike Tour Northfield, MN
Bike 10, 30, 45, 60, or 100 miles, 10 mile route through parks and trails in Northfield, longer routes traverse the Sogn Valley and lake country, hosted by the Northfield Rotary, $30 (2008)
Early Sept
Lake Shore Century Chesterton, IN
Choice of 25, 37, 62, 73 & 100-mile distances along the shores of Lake Michigan through the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Michigan City to New Buffalo, Michigan, $18/$25 (2006) includes snacks and post-ride chili.
Early Sept
Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour Saint Paul
Up to 5,000 cyclists ride 15 or 31 miles in a festival of food, music and art, $25/$30 (2007)
Mid Sept
Minneapolis Bike Tour, Twin Cities, MN
Inaugurated in 2007 with more than 4,500 riders, the tour offers a choice of 15 or 40 mile routes on traffic-free roads, $30 (2007) includes a t-shirt, snacks and post-ride party.
Mid Sept
Leelenau Harvest Tour, Traverse City, MI
Choice of 25, 45, 65, and 100 mile routes in Leelanau County with food stops utilizing local ingredients, hosted by Cherry Capital Cycling Club to benefit TART Trails, $30-$65 (2007)
Mid Sept
Celebration of Cycling, Dearborn Heights, MI
Choice of 12, 25, 35, 50, 75, and 100 miles routes for cyclists of all levelss, and cyclists with disabilities, $18 (2006) includes snacks at stops
Mid Sept
Bike Ride Around Mille Lacs, Mille Lacs, MI
Choice of 12, 35, and 70 mile routes around the lake in support of the Mille Lacs Health System Hospice, $15 (2005), includes snacks
Mid Sept
Cereal City Century, Battle Creek MI
Choice of 25, 40, 62 & 100 mile routes in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties, $15/20 (2004)
Mid Sept
North Shore Century, Evanston, IL
Choice of 8, 25, 50, 62 (metric century) or 100 miles hosted by the Evanston Bicycle Club through Chicago's northern suburbs, limited to 1,600 riders, $15/20 (2005)
Early May
Miles for the Missing Family Bike Ride, Council Bluffs, IA Casual rides of up to 44 miles return, for all ages on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, in support of missing kids, $17 (2006)
Late Sept
City Cycle Tour for MS, Hayward, WI 30 miles
30-mile route through the historic neighborhoods of Hyde Park/South Kenwood, the Prairie Avenue District and others, views of Chicago's magnificent skyline and the picturesque lakefront. $25/35 entry fee (2003), proceeds to benefit the MS Society.
Late Sept
Blue Water Ramble, St. Clair, MI
Choice of four routes of 40 to 100 miles along the St. Clair River include a ferry crossing into Canada, hosted by Clinton River Rider Bicycle Club, $15/$18 (2006) includes lunch
Mid Oct
Hilly Hundred, Ellettsville, IN
More than 5,000 riders cover about one hundred miles through the hills of southern Indiana over two days.
