Background

The best kept secret in the state is getting out.  Road biking on the back roads of Bayfield and Ashland counties is every bit as good (or better!) than on the famed roads in Door, Western Dane, or Trempeleau Counties.  Informal bike groups in the area have known about these roads for years, but who spilled the beans to the outside world?

In 2004, the Bay Area Active Sports Alliance (BAASA) and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce produced a colorful bike map that documents 19 paved bike routes in both counties. They range from 14 to 52 miles, some of which can be combined to make even longer routes.  The map can be ordered by calling 1-800-284-9484 or clicking on http://travelbayfieldcounty.com/.  Then in June of 2005, BAASA and the Ashland Area and Washburn Chambers of Commerce sponsored the “Superior Vistas Bike Tour”, a multi loop, one day, fully supported bike ride (NOT race), that launched from and finished on the banks of Lake Superior. This first time event attracted over 200 riders, nearly 100 of whom traveled from Duluth, the Twin Cities area, Wausau, LaCrosse and other destinations at least an hour and a half away.  The event’s purpose was to offer a high quality, safe, family oriented bike tour that would put the Chequamegon Bay Area on the map as a great place for road biking.

With the enthusiasm generated in 2005, and improvements to the ride itself, including more food, music and festivities at the finish, the event attracted 250 riders in 2006, and close to 300 riders in 2007.  And the number of families participating soared.   The weather cooperated beautifully three years in a row.  No wonder the secret is out!