The Rider's Choice 200k is a special 200k ride that happens every weekend from April thru most of October that does NOT already have classic brevets running. Unlike most club rides, the route is not set ahead of time, rather the first rider to sign up will pick from the list of 200k routes in our route library. Routes follow quiet roads or use bicycling infrastructure where safe and possible.
The start of a Rider's Choice is electronic or via a start volunteer. If there is no start volunteer, participants must upload a photo of themselves wearing their helmet and reflective gear to the Ride Day Slack Channel (contest at the end of the year for most photogenic!). A brevet card is attached to every registration that includes stops along the way and key phone numbers. Rider’s should print this card and bring it along.
Routes for the Rider’s Choice start in Delavan (WI), Oregon (IL), Whitewater, Woodstock (IL), Evanston (IL), Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Rapids, Green Bay, Hampshire and others. All club members are free to contact the club about submitting new rides!
This is a version of Jim Krep's Original Baraboo ride adapted to start in Whitewater. It's a hilly ride ascending the Baraboo Bluff and with a chunk of the driftless in the middle. It then flattens out to Columbus before returning to rolling back to the finish at Whitewater.
There are several places to stay in Whitewater with the most inexpensive being the TriCounty Motel and the Super 8 (more expensive). A room is highly recommended for a 400k before and after the ride.
Fun ride from Whitewater to New Glarus and back. Low Key with some hills to challenge
This is a super scenic 600k route out of Wausau, Wisconsin. The biggest climbs are in the first 40 miles with the rest being gradual to rolling. Day 1 features the entire St Germain Bike Path which is paved and about 40 miles long. The stretch from Presque Isle to Iron River is another beauty with lakes and stunning scenery to Land O Lakes. We are taking some of the most beautiful roads the Northwoods has to offer. The stars in this area are amazing along with pristine lakes and low traffic.
The first real overnight option is at Iron River - 220 miles, though Eagle River at 260 is also an option. This area gets really busy in the summer so if you want a hotel overnight, best make reservations early. The Kwik Trip in Eagle River is 24 hour but the Iron River Circle K closes at midnight so the early start figures that in. Boulder Junction to Eagle River has NOTHING 24 hour.
Good plan is to have capacity to carry plenty of food and water for that section. There are lots of options early to tank up.
RUSA #881 - This is the classic 200k from Delavan to Brodhead, Evansville, Oregon and Edgerton. Rolling terrain and no serious climbing.
For many years, this was the beautiful (and perhaps feared) early 300k. It features the Driftless heavily - we do the "5 tops" and ride by the Blue Mound (no ascent necessary!). Finish is in Delavan with lower cost options for a place to stay in nearby Janesville if desired.
Lollipop route up to Eagle and back to Woodstock. About 4,700 ft of climbing so challenging without being obnoxious. Start at 7:00 am means reflective gear is needed!
It's back! The original Million Meters in Fond du Lac. This is a really awesome ride originally the brainchild of Joel Sandburg many years ago. We will have an official start at the Comfort Inn where we have a hotel block reserved from Thursday, July 4-Monday, July 9. The timelimit has the ride ending at 7:00 am on Monday (75 hours). Many will finish before that but the block includes Sunday night for this reason.
You may ride all three of the days of this ride or a subset of them. Contact us for specifics on this option.
Reserving a room is the responsibility of the rider (this gives you more flexibility as well). The block currently has 10 double rooms ($129 per night) and 10 king rooms ($139 per night). There is covered, secure parking for bicycles. Call the hotel at 920-921-4000 to reserve your room, tell them you want the Great Lakes Randonneurs room block. The block will expire on June 4, 2024. You can also work with the hotel if you want to get there earlier and/or stay later. They are being very accommodating of our needs as a ride and are excited to have us. This is by far the best and easiest place to stay, but if you choose not to stay there, please let us know so that we have at least some idea of where people are. Be aware that Fond du Lac has limited 24 hour resources.
In the past, we have provided food for both breakfast and dinner for all the days of the ride. That may or may not be possible depending on the number of volunteers we have. If you (or your friends/neighbors/family/etc) are interested in volunteering for one or more days of this event, send an email to rba@greatlakesrando.org. There is also a signup sheet is here. In any case, weather permitting, we will have a small welcome party on the patio (inside if rain) Thursday from 4:00 pm - 7 pm which will also be the ride briefing. We will also have a party at the finish, let's hope it isn't raining.
Signing up now reserves your spot on this ride. This is a fun, challenging ride on some really beautiful roads. We hope to see you there.
Please note, this fleche does not satisfy criteria for anything outside of Great Lakes Randonneurs as we maintain no affilation with RUSA.
Same weekend as the Million Meters! This is a loop 400k route up to Sturgeon Bay along Lake Michigan followed by a loop that includes the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Hilly and rewarding!
We have a hotel block for this weekend. The block currently has 10 double rooms ($129 per night) and 10 king rooms ($139 per night). There is covered, secure parking for bicycles. Call the hotel at 920-921-4000 to reserve your room, tell them you want the Great Lakes Randonneurs room block. The block will expire on June 4, 2024. You can also work with the hotel if you want to get there earlier and/or stay later. They are being very accommodating of our needs as a ride and are excited to have us. This is by far the best and easiest place to stay, but if you choose not to stay there, please let us know so that we have at least some idea of where people are. Be aware that Fond du Lac has limited 24 hour resources.
There is a $15 charge for this ride. We are going to be having a big party/picnic Sunday evening for the finish of both this ride and the Million Meters. This covers the cost of that and the limited services we have. We really need volunteers so also feel free to bring along friends/family to volunteer or perhaps volunteer yourself. Helping others is the hallmark of a good randonneur.