Touring - Advice wanted on midwest organized tours (Bicycle Illinois, SAGBRAW, GRABAAWR)

All,
With temps surging into the 20s today in Chicago I relaized that we haven't decided on a summer tour
Last year we did RAGBRAI and we enjoyed it tremendously.
This year we'd like to do another week long, organized tour in the midwest. Sofar, I came up with Bicycle Illinois, SAGBRAW and GRABAAWR as options. Does anyone have any experience with these tours? Did you like them?
Also, If I missed any tours in the midwest, I'd be happy to hear them
Thanks, Duppie

Here's an excellent list of organized rides from all over the U.S.

http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_WebPages/statebicycletourindex.html

All,
With temps surging into the 20s today in Chicago I relaized that we haven't decided on a summer tour
Last year we did RAGBRAI and we enjoyed it tremendously.
This year we'd like to do another week long, organized tour in the midwest. Sofar, I came up with Bicycle Illinois, SAGBRAW and GRABAAWR as options. Does anyone have any experience with these tours? Did you like them?
Also, If I missed any tours in the midwest, I'd be happy to hear them
Thanks, Duppie

Hi
I was on the SAGBRAW last year and enjoyed it. It was well organized, the food and accomodations were fine. This year the trip looks wonderful. Starting up on the WI/UP border it travels to Green Bay then up the Door County peninsula then down the coast of Lake Michigan. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I have outfitted myself for self contained touring. Therefore I will not be going on an organized tour, I will go by myself. LOL

Benge, thanks for the heads up on the site, most excellent.

Duppie, I have not personally ridden with the organized Bicycle Illinois group but from what I have heard, is that it is well organized but somewhat expensive (subjective opinion here). Now for the bad part, 80% of the riding landscape is going to be very flat, very straight, and very boring. The ride starts at Cairo and heads north, but once you get much past Carbondale, the rest of the way is pretty much corn and soybeans. You might like that, and that's great. I too have ridden across the state several times and the 450 mile length just to say I did it but I personally would choose one of the other rides based on the more beautiful landscape even though God knows we in Illinois could use your tax dollars :)

Well, for what it's worth, we have done RAGBRAI, Bike Virginia, Erie Canal, Bon Ton Roulet, and last summer, GOBA. All different, all enjoyable, and all good rides. I'd do them again. If Ohio is considered midwest, I suggest that you consider GOBA. Lots of riders do this one every year, including families.

Benge,
Thanks for that link. Very informative, although it pointed me to the Katy trail. Mrs Duppie favors trails so now we may to do two tours this year..... :rolleyes:

Robow,
The monotonous landscape is my concern as well for Bicycle Illinois. I would agree with you on keeping the tax dollars in my homestate. Hence my desire to take a "local" tour, but I think spending them anywhere in the midwest still trumps faraway destinations...

Peaks,
thanks for those ideas. GOBA sounds like something i need to add to my list of tours to do.

Duppie