Touring - '12 tour, need ideas

I have been thinking of a hub and spoke or loop tour for 2012. I'd like to go in June, before the bugs get too bad and the humidity gets too high. I live near Minneapolis/St. Paul. I'm thinking of heading west or southwest a day or so by car and doing either a loop tour or a hub and spoke from wherever I end up. Looking for suggestions. Thanks.

Nothing specific here, but I'd head to either Iowa or South Dakota. Minnesota highways are some of the worse for cycling I've experienced. SD has the best I've experienced. Haven't ridden in Iowa. BTW, Wisconsin earned a B rating vs SD's A and the D for Texas(chipseal.)

Nothing specific here, but I'd head to either Iowa or South Dakota Where exactly would you go in SD? I have been through it in car on I90 all the way to Rapid city. The area around Rapid City looks appealing, it would be one long day driving or two short days to get there. I have been to Decorah, Iowa once, the only place I have been in Iowa and if memory is correct, very hilly!

Dann

Montana (Butte or Bozeman) for a loop through mountains and valleys if you consider a day or so by car to equate to 15-18 hrs. or so of driving. You would probably have some skeets to deal with in places, but it would be worth it.

I live in southwestern WI and toured the length of Wisconsin in September (Illinois border north to Lake Superior-had a ride home) and have a couple of ideas. You could start/finish at River Falls and explore the Mississippi River valley and Great River Road, loop into southeastern MN through the Root River valley, into northeastern Iowa, cross the river and loop through southwestern WI. Essentially a loop around the driftless area. Quiet roads, challenging hills, spectacular valleys, coulees, spring fed creeks, small towns and plenty of places to camp. Another option would be northern Minnesota, possibly some of the roads off the North Shore such as the Caribou Trail and Gunflint Trail, up to Ely area.
Randy

I live in southwestern WI and toured the length of Wisconsin in September (Illinois border north to Lake Superior-had a ride home) and have a couple of ideas. You could start/finish at River Falls and explore the Mississippi River valley and Great River Road, loop into southeastern MN through the Root River valley, into northeastern Iowa, cross the river and loop through southwestern WI. Essentially a loop around the driftless area. Quiet roads, challenging hills, spectacular valleys, coulees, spring fed creeks, small towns and plenty of places to camp. Another option would be northern Minnesota, possibly some of the roads off the North Shore such as the Caribou Trail and Gunflint Trail, up to Ely area.
Randy
A few years back two friends and I rode from River Falls along the GRR south and crossed into Lansing, IA, then north following the river and crossing back into WI at Red Wing. Nice trip but we did in mid May and it was cold and very windy. Still a good trip.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/482509-You-ve-got-to-love-Utah-or-the-Americano-takes-me-to-Zion?highlight=zion+bryce+canyon
This trip really looks like a good area, a long drive from here to get there, tho.

I'd go to the Black Hills, ride the Mickelson trail, loop up through Spearfish Canyon, to Belle Fourche, hit the Devil's Tower....

Where exactly would you go in SD? I have been through it in car on I90 all the way to Rapid city.
Dann

Ha! Shouldn't have asked. Rapid City is maybe the finest small city I've had the pleasure of visiting. Beautiful place. And the Black Hills, with Deadwood, Custer State Park, the Mickelson Trail, Rushmore and Crazy Horse, are a fantastic cycling experience. Don't overlook the Badlands. Go for it if you like that sort of stuff. Lots to see there in a fairly compact area.

A circle around Lake Superior?