# Bicycle Tour Suggestions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 6, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672 "2017-09-06T21:36:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/1 "2017-09-06T21:36:11Z")

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Most years I have done Tour da U.P which is a 5 day (with one rest day) tour. In 2014 and 2017 I have done Cycle Greater Yellowstone, which was 7 days in 2014 and 6 in 2017 (with one rest day ). Both are in August.

I will likely do Tour da U.P. again, partially because it is relatively close (\<8 hour drive) and cheap ($425). I am leaning towards not doing CGY again as it is a long drive (18 hours over two days each way)

I’m looking for another fully supported tour. I’ve done some searching but no site has been right.  
Criteria:  
Days: 5-7  
Max participants: 50-400  
Accommodations: camping, preferably in parks, not schoolyards (easier with fewer people)  
Mileage: about 60 a day – can be a bit more but no multi 70+ days  
Terrain: Hills are Ok to a point (maybe 15,000 ft of climbing max) I like water  
Distance: closer to SE MN the better, but am willing to travel if the tour is right  
Cost: \<$1000 ideally (CGY was a bit more)  
Time of year: maybe not in August so I have some time between tours

Anybody have suggestions or links to good search sites?  
Thanks,  
Brian

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**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/2 "2017-09-06T21:49:27Z")

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- Trek has some stuff on its website.  
-[Crazy Guy on a Bike](https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/) is a very good website (in my opinion) for all things touring related.  
-[Adventure Cycling Association](https://www.adventurecycling.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwub7NBRDJARIsAP7wlT_TN1QZXTBf6jc8IhxmIFtVA4PA69PilIYJMkI243i961DRpOW41qkaAhFrEALw_wcB) might also be a good resource.

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**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/3 "2017-09-06T22:06:07Z")

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There’s a bike tour that follows the Erie Canal that I’d love to do someday. 8 days, 400 miles, next year it’s July 8th-15th. Maybe a bit larger than the OP asks for; the website says there were ~650 riders last year.

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/4 "2017-09-07T01:51:41Z")

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I look at CGOAB almost daily – it is mostly self-supported tours (which I may also do)  
I’m a member of ACA, I should re-look at their offerings  
Trek ones seem to be hotel only and prices reflect that

Brian

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**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/5 "2017-09-07T20:10:52Z")

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[Go do the White Rim.](http://magpieadventures.com/moab-bike-tours/)

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/6 "2017-09-07T20:34:19Z")

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Forgot a criteria – I have a road bike – well, technically a touring bike (Trek 520). I currently have 32mm tires. So while I can handle dirt better than a 23mm road bike tire I am looking for predominantly paved tour.

Brian

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**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/7 "2017-09-08T00:29:48Z")

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Katy Trail State Park in Missouri. I’ve done this one the past 7 years. It meets most of your criteria perfectly.

> **[2017 Katy Trail Ride | Missouri State Parks](https://mostateparks.com/2017ktride)**
>
> Like us on Facebook to see pictures and information posted throughout the week. The 17th annual Katy Trail Ride, June 19-23, allows bicyclists to experience Katy Trail State Park from Clinton to St. Charles. Missouri State Parks and Missouri State...

In 2018 we will be starting in St. Charles, Missouri and ending in Clinton, MO. Signups should start on March 1st, 2018 and can fill up fast.

Your Trek 520 will work great. I ride a Windsor Tourist with 700x32 tires and weigh about 215 lbs. I’ve never had a major issue with the crushed limestone even when wet (except that it makes a mess - fenders help a lot).

If you want to know more about the Katy Trail, here’s a helpful web site.

> **[Katy Trail/Rock Island Trail info](https://bikekatytrail.com/)**
>
> Trip planning tools and info for the Katy Trail, a 239-mile biking and hiking trail crossing Missouri from St Charles to Clinton. The Rock Island Trail intersects the Rock Island Trail in Windsor, and will eventually intersect on the east end as...

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/8 "2017-09-08T00:54:58Z")

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You could ride your bike on all the streets and bike trails on Mackinac Island. It’s got 70 miles of pavement. And no motorized vehicles, other than a few emergency ones.

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**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/9 "2017-09-08T22:00:07Z")

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The [Driftless Area of Wisconsin](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=950&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=driftless+area+of+wisconsin&oq=driftless++of+wisconsin&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0.0i7i30k1.93674.94387.0.96750.6.6.0.0.0.0.96.334.4.4.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..2.1.96.gzKRlZ5F1pQ) looks like it might be worth a few days of poking around.

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/10 "2017-09-08T23:43:28Z")

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> [@mack](#):
>
> The [Driftless Area of Wisconsin](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=950&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=driftless+area+of+wisconsin&oq=driftless++of+wisconsin&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0.0i7i30k1.93674.94387.0.96750.6.6.0.0.0.0.96.334.4.4.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..2.1.96.gzKRlZ5F1pQ) looks like it might be worth a few days of poking around.

Ha, I live across the river from the Wisconsin Driftless area (I live in the Driftless area of MN) I’ve done a bunch of day rides (and some overnights / weekends) in the region.

Brian

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/11 "2017-09-08T23:48:20Z")

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I’m aware of the Katy trail and that is definitely worth considering…

Brian

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**Author:** ![linjiawen0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@linjiawen0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/linjiawen0910)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/12 "2017-09-09T00:58:49Z")

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I also like it

I have the same question,I have a car, and need a wonderful journey

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**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-tour-suggestions/795672/13 "2017-09-09T04:21:27Z")

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_Somewhere_ there is a nice page that lists one day and longer bike tours by state.

But I can’t find it again.

I glanced at [this site](http://cyclingtourlist.com/Bike_Tours_USA_l_RB.html) and it seemed to be up to date.

I’ll keep looking.

Another [page](http://biketournetwork.com/directory/)