2020 Route

Day 0 – Wednesday, June 24

Begin your adventure in the artisan community of Spring Green situated along the Wisconsin River and consistently earning top honors for its scenery and attractions.  Meet your fellow riders, pick up your rider packet and hear what’s in store for the next four days over refreshments and dinner.  Come early or stay late and visit Taliesin–Frank Lloyd Wright’s home for 48 years along with buildings from nearly every decade of his career on the 600-acre estate.  Enjoy an outdoor play at the world-renowned American Players Theater or check out the Wright-inspired House on the Rock.  Mineral Point, a charming community settled by Cornish miners from England known for its historic sites and artisans, is also nearby.

Day 1 – Thursday, June 25:  Spring Green – New Glarus

And we’re off!  Quiet back roads and beautiful scenery are the theme of the day.  We’re in cheese country so it’s only fitting that our first stop is at a cheese factory.  Watch cheese being made as the cheesemaker explains the process and lets us taste some of their delectable cheeses.  Our next stop is Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of the World, where trolls, shops and eateries, including the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub, line Main Street.  Our final stop for the day showcases a dairy farm where you can tour the farm and learn about current dairy practices (last year’s riders witnessed a baby calf being born!).

 Once in New Glarus, our overnight destination, take a self-guided tour and/or taste the freshly brewed samples at the New Glarus Brewing Co–home of Spotted Cow ale–while relaxing on their outdoor patio.  You can also learn how the town became ‘America’s Little Switzerland” by touring the 14 artifact-filled buildings, including a settler’s cabin, school, bee house and church, at the Swiss Historical Village.  Or, stroll through downtown and find all 15 painted cows, pick up some locally made Yodelay yogurt, or stop at the bakery, chocolate shop, winery, meat market, etc.  In the evening, enjoy Swiss entertainment and yodel with your fellow riders at dinner.

Day 2 – Friday, June 26  New Glarus – Madison

All roads lead to Wisconsin’s state capital – Madison, a big city with a small-town feel.  You will be amazed at the incredible bicycling infrastructure in this vibrant town.  Today’s route will include a shorter option (45-50 miles) in addition to the 60-65 mile route for those of you who would like more time to explore this college town which consistently earns top honors for its charm, downtown, food, arts, recreation and more!  Our ride takes us along more scenic, pastoral roadways with a stop at a hops farm to see where hops for many of the local breweries are grown along with a stop at a dairy plant to learn about milk bottling, cheese and ice cream production.

You’ll want to treat yourself to one of their 25+ fantastic ice cream flavors, including Badger Blast (chocolate ice cream w/dark chocolate flakes and a fudge swirl), Union Utopia (vanilla ice cream with peanut butter, fudge and caramel swirls), Mocha Macchiato (coffee-flavored ice cream with dark chocolate flakes and a caramel swirl), or good old fashioned vanilla, to name a few.  You can also stop at the Vilas Zoo to see the 200+ animals, view the many exhibits and eat more locally made ice cream.

Our hotel is steps away from State Street and downtown where you’ll find eateries, brewpubs and shops galore.  Join the group for happy hour, and then make your way to dinner which is on your own tonight to allow you to choose from the many great options in this foodie paradise.  Afterwards, listen to live music at the University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota.

Day 3 – Saturday, June 27: Madison – Madison

• Head over to a nearby beach to relax and soak up the sun.  Or, rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), kayak or canoe and take to the water.  
• Tour the Wisconsin State Capitol building with its handcrafted furniture, glass mosaics, elegant art and unusual granite dome
• Stroll the 16 acres of outdoor gardens, including a 2-acre Rose Garden, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, voted one of the top 10 most inspiring gardens in North America by Horticulture magazine. 
• Check out the Dane County Farmer’s Market, the granddaddy of all farmers markets!  It is the largest producer-only farmers market in the country and encircles the capitol building with plenty of Wisconsin goodness.  You’re sure to find plenty of great coffee, gooey cinnamon rolls, cheese, and plump, juicy strawberries there, not to mention all of the other locally produced items.
• Visit one of the many museums, including the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chazen Museum of Art or even the National Mustard Museum in nearby Middleton!    
• Listen to live music, go to a spa, stroll along State Street and the Capitol Square and take in the unique shops and eateries along the way, explore the UW-Madison campus and so much more.  There is so much to see and do in Madison — you won’t know where to start!

Day 4 – Sunday, June 28:  Madison – Spring Green

Our final route is 55-60 miles and has us riding through Sauk City along the Wisconsin River and through more beautiful scenery en route to Spring Green, the tours end.  Showers provided.