We start our tour in the serene drift-less region; this area is a 100 by 150-mile rectangle in the state's southwest corner. The glaciers which plowed and flattened most of the Midwest thousands of years ago missed this landmass, leaving numerous river valleys separated by 500-foot ridges. This is an ideal cycling area because of the many farm roads that crisscross the sparsely populated hillsides.

Our tour of Wisconsin features flat farming valleys with an occasional climb up and over the ridges. Daily miles range from 75 to 90, with about 4,000 feet of climbing. Some country roads can be steep with 10-15% grades, so we recommend low gears with a compact crank and freewheel of 36 x 28. We have ridden these routes during five previous tours and are impressed with the road quality. An average PAC Tour rider can ride most days in about six hours. Recommended rider average speed is 10-15 mph with rest stops.

Wisconsin Tour is for riders of intermediate cycling ability who are looking for a challenging week of cycling, but not as extreme as a PAC Tour cross country tour. Wisconsin Tour is designed to introduce riders to the PAC Tour experience - plenty of good riding with excellent support and guidance. In the past Wisconsin Tour has been filled with 75% of PAC Tour veterans who return year after year. If you are considering joining a PAC Tour event, this tour is a good one to try. We are limited to about 30 riders.

The roads are legendary; No one describes them better than prominent biking journalist Fred Matheny

Routes are planned to travel 75 – 90 miles daily, with many desolate stretches of secluded farm roads and plenty of picturesque lakes and wildlife areas. Breakfast meals will be served at the hotel or will be PAC Tour style when hotels are lacking. Lunches are PAC Tour style in local parks or byways. Since Wisconsin is famous for its dairy products, many riders stop in the afternoon to sample local ice cream before heading to the motel.

Wisconsin Tour is unique to offer a great selection of destinations to ride each day while keeping the daily distances to 75-90 miles. Besides the countryside, each day will offer other historic and scenic points of interest. We will stay at several classic towns, including a visit to the New Glarus Brewery.

After departing from Mauston on Day 4, we will ride east toward the shoreline of Lake Michigan on our way to Door County. Lake Michigan covers over 25,000 square miles, similar to an inland sea with many lighthouses and fishing ports along the shore. Door County is the peninsula that extends 100 miles north into Lake Michigan. Our tour will meander back and forth across Door County, visiting the quaint tourist towns along the east and west shorelines.

We will spend two days in beautiful Sturgeon bay, allowing you to explore this hidden gem in the evening, as well as door county and Washington island during the day. Sturgeon bay has many local restaurants, museums, and history to explore, as well as an imposing lighthouse and marina. These imposing waterways make it clear where door county gets its name "Porte de Mortes"- the doors of death, as they were so dangerous for French sailors to navigate on their way to Green Bay.

We will return to Beloit riding thru the Kettle Moraine region of the southern part of the state. This will take us through some beautiful wildlife preserves. The terrain on this route is much gentler than in the southwestern part of the state. Daily distances average 75-85 miles per day with 2,000 feet of climbing, making this a perfect tandem vacation tour.

Email us if you have any questions, as we are eager to share the beauty of our home state with our fellow cycling enthusiasts.