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Wisconsin Bike Tour: Highlights

Lizard Head Cycling Guides travels to the Northwoods and Lake Superior region on a Wisconsin Bike Tour that meets our criteria for exceptional bike travel. Join our local Wisconsin native guides to experience a landscape of breweries, rolling hills, islands and great food at it’s best: from the saddle of your bicycle.

Why Ride this Wisconsin Bike Tour?
Lizard Head Cycling’s criteria for the creation of exceptional cycling tours runs first from finding car-free roads, then to big scenery, and then next to including routes that include exceptional lodging & food. Pavement smoothness is the number four criteria and it usually suffers in quality when delivering the car-free roads we love. This is not the case in Wisconsin! Join our Wisconsin Bike Tour for silky pavement, empty roads, boundless swimming opportunities and fabulous fresh water seafood. Wisconsin is fabulous cycling destination!

Wisconsin was definitely milder than the Red Rocks trip or the White Rocks. Some short sections of dirt (very do-able), but mostly what one would expect from Wisconsin. Beautiful scenery (to my eye), nice hotels and meals (always!), fun guests, great guides. On a rest day, we took a boat out to the Apostle Islands. That was a nice diversion. We’ve never had a trip with Lizard Head where we were disappointed. – Barb S.

Wisconsin Bike Tour: Tour Dates

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

2019 Summer Tour Dates:

• August 11 to 17, 2019 (Book Now!)

2020 Summer Tour Dates:

• June 14 to 19, 2020 (Book Now!)
• June 21 to 26, 2020 (Book Now!)

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   Fill Out Our Bike Tour Reservation Form

Wisconsin Bike Tour: Overview

Tour Length: 6-Days Cycling/5-Nights Lodging

Arrival City/Airport: Wausau, Wisconsin – Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA)

Ending City/Airport: Wausau, Wisconsin – Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA)

Total Miles: 300 to 430 miles, additional mileage options available. (Can I keep up on this tour?)

Mileage Range: 23 to 113 miles

Ability Level: Intermediate (2/3) 

Tour Cost: $2,500 per person. Group discount of $200 per person for groups of 4 or more. Please see our Tour Discounts Policy.

Non-Riding Spouses & Partners on Tour: If a non-riding spouse or partner would like to join you on tour and they have their own transportation, they can stay in your room for the cost of the tour's single room supplement. Non-Riding spouses and partners can join a tour's meal plan of three meals a day for $85 per day.

Single Room Supplement: Add $400 to the Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (5 nights).

Bike Rental

Road Bike Rental: Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to rent Scott CR-1 Pro and Scott Solace carbon road bikes with full Shimano Ultegra components for only $250/week, or $150 for 3 or 4 day tours. Both the CR-1 and Solace models are sub- 17 lb comfortable, high performance bicycles geared for climbing hills. In addition we also have electric bikes available for rental at $375/week. And finally we have a selection of straight bar road bikes and kids bikes in our rental fleet. Just let us know what you need and we can probably find it.

Please also see this blog post for more information on bike rentals.

Electric Bike Rental: We now have a limited selection of SCOTT electric bikes that can be reserved for our tours. These are road bikes with straight bars that make the slowest rider the fastest rider in the group. Rental Price is $375/week.

Couples Bike Rental Discount: Sign up as a couple and receive one free bike high performance rental per couple ($250 value. Ebikes excluded, pedal bikes only).

Tandems and Recumbents: Lizard Head Cycling Guides happily accommodates both tandem and recumbent bikes on its tours.

Read more on our Road Bike Rental FAQs page.

Tour Includes: 6 days of guide service, all meals, forest service fees, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental and massage are additional.

Lodging Includes 5 Nights: (subject to change)

• Night 1 – Concord Inn or AmericInn Minocqua, Minocqua, Wisconsin
• Nights 2 & 3 – The Bayfield Inn, Bayfield, Wisconsin
• Night 4 – Comfort Suites, Hayward, Wisconsin
• Night 5 – Palmquist Farm, Brantwood, Wisconsin

NOTE: Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.

Meals On Tour

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and of course plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies. We pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works for you during the week. Gluten Free, Dairy Free or a someone who loves it all – we will keep you well fed during the tour!

Dinners: Lizard Head Cycling sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients. Guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu: including appetizer, salad, entree and of course dessert... yum! Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element.

Overall Route Map

Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?

Definition of Ability Levels
= Intermediate (2/3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 1 to 3 times a week for a total of 50 or more miles.
= Upper Intermediate (3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 2 to 4 times a week for a total of 75 or more miles.
= Advanced (3/4) Rides and/or takes spin classes 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 100 or more miles. Has ridden multi-day tours and done a century ride.
= Expert (4) Rides 4 or more times per week totaling 150 or more miles. Rides E.F.I. with regularity. Has done numerous multi-day tours, century rides and races.

How Fit do I Have to Be?
If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week equalling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week long bike tour is to go on a week long tour.

Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some points. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!

Do the Bump!
Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterwards, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Seamless Mileage Options
Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. :-)

Slow or Fast?
Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.

If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891 - we'll more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Wisconsin Bike Tour: Itinerary*

*Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Day 0: Arrival in Wausau

Guests either fly into Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) and shuttle to the meeting hotel, or drive to the meeting hotel. The meeting hotel will be the Stoney Creek Hotel Wausau-Rothschild, Wisconsin (just south of Wausau) and there will be a late afternoon “Meet & Greet” session where you get to meet your fellow riders for the week, get your rental bikes fit and where guides will discuss the highlights of the week ahead.

NOTE: Guests are on-their-own for accommodations this evening either at the Stoney Creek Hotel Wausau-Rothschild, or at other nearby hotels. The Stoney Creek Hotel Wausau-Rothschild offers a complimentary airport shuttle to/from Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA). Guests are also on-their-own for dinner this evening and there are several restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.

Day 1: Council Grounds State Park to Minocqua
55 miles with up to 1,800 feet of climbing

After a short shuttle from our meeting hotel, we will start pedaling out of the beautiful Council Grounds State Park following Hwy 107 North along the Wisconsin River. Enjoy a scenic and blacktopped road all the way to our lunch stop in Tomahawk, Wisconsin at Memorial Park where you can jump into the cool and refreshing Wisconsin River!

After lunch, a small road followed by more blacktop will wind our way into the woods and water of the true Northwoods town of Minocqua, Wisconsin where we will enjoy great food, beer, hospitality and another swimming opportunity.

Day 2: Minocqua to Ashland
113 miles with up to 3,000 feet of climbing; optional 55 mile ride

Today is a chance for a classic century+ ride. We depart Minocqua, Wisconsin either on a bike path that adds some miles before joining up with Hwy 51, or by just taking off on Hwy 51 – both promise a fast cruise along rolling hills with smooth riding surfaces and a giant loon sighting in Mercer, Wisconsin on the way to lunch at Copper Falls State Park outside of Mellen, Wisconsin. Make sure to pack your hiking shoes in the support van before the morning departure to do some exploring of ancient lava flows, deep gorges and spectacular water falls while the guides prepare lunch for you.

Post lunch it’s a quick wind North on country roads to Ashland, Wisconsin on Lake Superior. From here we shuttle a short distance north to our lodging at The Bayfield Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Day 3: Bayfield Loop Ride, Madeline Island, Apostle Islands
25 miles with up to 600 feet of climbing

The loop ride from Bayfield and back is along the shore of Lake Superior is beautiful as well as is the potential for additional riding on Madeline Island. A great book store, many galleries and a bakery are along the way in Washburn, Wisconsin and should not be missed. Bayfield has a ferry to Madeline Island, neat shopping and small museum options. In the afternoon, there is also the option to rent a boat to tour the nearby Apostle Islands National Lakeshore via the water, or to rent kayaks to get out onto the water.

Our lodging for the evening is again at The Bayfield Inn. Rated #1 on Trip Advisor, it boasts excellent lakeside views and a roof top bar & restaurant.

Day 4: Bayfield to Hayward
91 Miles with up to 3,200 feet of climbing; optional 45 mile ride

Breakfast is served up at the Old Rittenhouse Inn dining area overlooking Lake Superior before retracing our steps south on Hwy 13 towards Ashland. The riding is superb as we pedal along classic country roads through the woods and land of lakes. Lunch at the Namekagon Lake Recreation Area offers yet another chance to swim!

After lunch, we hit a bit of gravel as we wind our way through the low marshlands on our way to Hayward, Wisconsin’s bike capitol as well as the home to the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame! In the evening we’ll BBQ on our hotel’s lake front patio before heading to Fred Scheers World Famous Lumberjack Show!

Day 5: Hayward to Palmquist Farms
97 miles with up to 2,600 feet of climbing; optional 55 mile ride

We wake up with another long, glorious day of Northwoods riding. Breakfast is available to us at our accommodations, or take an early morning spin into town for some great coffee options. We will then ride out of town on Hwy B into the Chippewa Flowage area, riding through woods and marshland on our way to lunch at the local marvel of the Wisconsin Concrete Park. In 1948, at age 62, local folk artist Fred Smith began creating this wonder including notable sculptures of Ben Hur, the Lincolns, Sacajawea and Paul Bunyan.

We leave Phillips for our final stretch on Hwy D to the Palmquist Farm where we will be welcomed onto the property of a four generation Finnish farm for a delicious meal, hiking trails, Finnish sauna and a restful night out in the countryside.

Day 6: Palmquist Farms to Timm’s Hill
51 miles with up to 1,600 feet of climbing

Today is a special day as we wake up to another home-cooked Finnish breakfast out on the farm while the well-paved roller coaster roads await us! We have a chance to go on a leisurely bike ride on our way to our lunch and ending spot atop Wisconsin’s highest point, Timm’s Hill, sitting at a whopping 1,952 ft above sea level, and a final chance to do some wild Wisconsin swimming in either Bass or Timms Lake! The day includes a bonus stop at a local cheese factory on the shuttle back to Wausau, Wisconsin for us to get the real fresh squeaky cheese curd experience and purchase some goods for our journey back home.

Wisconsin Bike Tour: Logistics & FAQs

Bike Shipping

Lizard Head Cycling recommends shipping with BikeFlights.com. Bikes can be shipped either to our partner bike shop in each meeting town for professional assembly or directly to the meeting hotel for self-assembly. Bike boxes can generally be left at the meeting hotel during the tour. Bikes shipped across the continental US should be shipped 8 days prior to your tour.

Meals
Any dietary preferences or allergies should be noted on the registration form. Each of Lizard Head Cycling’s lunches contains gluten free options.

Tour Support
A 15-passenger van and trailer that carries luggage, food and equipment will support this tour.

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here.

Travel Insurance

Lizard Head Cycling Guides highly recommends clients purchase Travel Insurance through MH Ross Travel Insurance. A policy can be purchased individually through the sales link below or Lizard Head Cycling Guides can also set-up a policy for its clients.

The estimated cost for a 50-year old buying insurance for a $2,500 tour ranges from $100 (standard plan) to about $200 (cancel for any reason plan).

Lizard Head Cycling Guides Custom Sales Portal Link is:

https://www.mhross.com/index.php/consumer/portal/LIZA0855CO

• The best options for our clients are either the Asset or Bridge plans.
• The Asset-Plus & Complete plans both include a Cancel-For-Any-Reason option.
• As a result these plans cost more.
• The Cancel-for-Any-Reason option is only available when insurance is purchased within two weeks of initial deposit.