Great Lakes - Midwest Scenic Tri State Tour

{Cross posted in Touring Forum**

I am looking forward to doing my first week long supported tour. I've done weekend tours before. I am looking at this tour:

Tri-State Tour: http://www.midwestscenic.com/tsr-description.php

Has anyone done this tour before? I am already a little concerned because I have sent three e-mails to the address with no response as it is not clear to me whether the camping is a separate fee or included. I am familiar with the Minnesota sections of the tour as I have been on the Root River Trail, and know that the bluffs over there are hilly too (just enough!).

300 seems a reasonable size group and the price is right. Any BFNICs interested?

Here's (http://www.midwestscenic.com/tsr-faq.php)your answer:

"Q. What does the ride fee include?
A. The ride fee includes campsites and use of facilities in overnight towns, indoor camping option, a Tri-State Ride T-shirt, showers, in-camp entertainment, route map and cue sheets, SAG support on the route and access to bike repair on the route and in camp."

I'll have to think on this one. The price is right (5 days of supported cycling and camping for the price of 2 1-day challenge rides!)

I would love to do this but I have two problems:

1) They don't rate the challenge level of the "hilly" sections in a way that I can grasp...

2) June is one of my busy months, and taking 5 days off to ride probably won't happen. *cries*

1) Install a triple.
2) Don't worry about the hills.

Bah... how am I supposed to install a triple on a bike that doesn't have cable stops?

(of course, I could just finish with my project of updating my cannondale, but that bike needs a double)

Bah... how am I supposed to install a triple on a bike that doesn't have cable stops?
Surely Yellow Jersey or Willy St Bike Shop or someplace could sell you some clamp-on cable guides/stops? :)

Here's (http://www.midwestscenic.com/tsr-faq.php)your answer:

"Q. What does the ride fee include?
A. The ride fee includes campsites and use of facilities in overnight towns, indoor camping option, a Tri-State Ride T-shirt, showers, in-camp entertainment, route map and cue sheets, SAG support on the route and access to bike repair on the route and in camp."

I'll have to think on this one. The price is right (5 days of supported cycling and camping for the price of 2 1-day challenge rides!)

Yes, I saw that. But then on another page they have a laundry list of camping facilities. Not sure if that means you can upgrade to another campsite, or what. Anyway, the price looks good and my plan is upgrade in midweek to a two-night hotel stay in Lanesboro (a nice little village).

It looks like only the first few days are difficult. I've been out in my car on the bluffs in MN and they seem like they will be kind of tough but manageable. (not as steep as Cross Plains/DLD area) How about a compact double?

Surely Yellow Jersey or Willy St Bike Shop or someplace could sell you some clamp-on cable guides/stops? :)

Well if I could be sure that the folks at Willy wouldn't try to throw me out into the street (preferrably into traffic), or that I could get through the door of Yellow Jersey I would go... but I have my own source. I work at a Madison LBS already.

Importantly I *do* have other bicycles that are multi-geared. But, by preference I like my single-speed.

I and a few friends are "hijacking" the route and doing it self-supported in May. I'll be writing it up on CGOB. Will be leaving by bike from River Falls so we'll be taking 6 or seven days.

So I officially signed up Saturday. If anyone else is interested in going, I would be interested to know.

dann - I look forward to your report. I'm read CGOB regularly so I can live vicariously through others.

Wow, that looks like a beautiful 5-day ride at a low low price. I can't get away for 5 days, but enjoy!

After a couple years of riding the Grabaawr this ride looked like a nice change of scenery and a few more hills. Anyone have expierence with the roads, ie do they do a good job of picking lower volume roads? I am not very familiar with that part of the state--or states.