Cycling fun in the states

RAGBRAI

Registers (Iowa's main newspaper)
Annual
Great
Bike
Ride
Across
Iowa

Lance Armstrong is doing it again this year. It is the oldest, longest, and largest touring bicycle ride in the world.

It's awesome. It really is. Towns really embrace the cyclists coming through because it is such a boost to their economy. Price gauging means that all you can eat homemade dinners are $6 instead of $5.50. Little kids come out from their farm houses and watch the bikers go by. Many houses have signs up in their yard for free showers or women selling baked goods for a fraction of what you would think you would pay. I had a pedal snap off one day and a farmer picked me up, drove me to the next overnight stop (30 miles away), and took me to his mothers house for lunch on the way. She'd lined up picnic tables in her front yard where she had sweet corn, Maid Rites (its a midwest thing....loose hamburger sandwiches),lemonade and several types of pie for a $5 donation to some sort of charity or local club.

Thousands of people camp out in parks in the middle of town squares and party all night. You start at the west side dipping your tires in the Missouri river and finish on the east side and dip your tires in the Mississippi. each day is roughly 60-85 miles with additional loops added for those who want to go 100+ per day. If you go, you will never call Iowa flat again.

Bike Ride Across Iowa

I'm a regular bike commuter and did the MS150 tour for the first time last year in Colorado. It's a two day ride, about 75 miles each day over varying terrain, and benefits Multiple Sclerosis.

Here's a list of MS150 rides. Many people ride, and it might be a bit too big than what you're looking for, but throughout the day people spread out and you meet and ride with lots of nice folks and have a great time. You need to fundraise at least $300 or so, (or just donate it), but you get good meals, beer, excellent rest stops along the way, and goes to a good cause.

Anyway I'm doing it again this year, and I enjoyed it for the reasons Banned mentioned: I saw kids in small towns in their front yards giving away lemonade, supportive locals, good comradery and an overall great two days.

Here's some of my pics from the ride, although this year it's going north somewhere near Rocky Mtn National Park, (rather than south).

I think you'd enjoy a group even like this or #1. Banned that looks like a great event too. My uncle lives in Sioux Center, looks like it passes near there.

I've done the MS 150 as well, its a lot of fun and it goes to a good cause.

Boise, Idaho is a good biking town. The Boise Foothills offer lots of mountain biking trails ranging from easy to extremely challenging. There are a lot of trails to ride, and you can enjoy your beers in the downtown bars at night. And there is an 18-mile paved Greenbelt trail along the Boise River, a nice trail that goes through numerous parks, along some lakes and offers a great chance to see wildlife.

Just to the north of the city is Boise National Forest, which connects to other national forests, offering nearly endless possibilities for a biker, and incredible scenery and the wildest country in the "lower 48".

Are you bringing your own bike or plan on renting one? Will you have access to a car or will you have to peddle away from the airport or rental place? Are you bringing or planning on renting touring equipment (racks and panniers or trailer)? Do you plan to camp or cook on multi-day trips? Renting all the equipment for bike touring will be difficult and expensive.

RAGBRAI is in late July, so it's not during your June trip. Cycle Oregon, though pricey, does offer a weekend trip in June if you're interested in organized trips. The Cyclists' Yellow Pages is a great online source of U.S. bicycling information.

Hey thanks for some fantastic ideas ! I am sure I will be doing some.
Cheers

Where is Favorite Mountain?