How to create a RAWsome Bike-cation
If you are thinking about registering for Ride Across Wisconsin, make your family a part of RAW from the beginning. From the decision to register, through months of training, up to the big day (and beyond) your crew is crucial to your success. So why leave them at home?
With a little pre-planning, your family can be your RAW support team and create great memories of a fun shared adventure! Below are our tips for keeping your whole team happy right up to the finish line:
- Consider adding an extra day in La Crosse or Milwaukee.
Bring your bike or hike the Gateway Trails on Granddad Bluff with five miles of family-friendly shared use trails and great views. Traveling with little ones? Check out the Children’s Museum of La Crosse or Jump Start Adventure Park. The night before RAW enjoy live music and food vendors at River Roast along the Mississippi River, conveniently located near the RAW starting line and host hotels.
In Milwaukee, you can keep the party rolling after leaving the RAW finish line at American Family Field and head to Milwaukee Irish Fest. Staying another day in Milwaukee? Everyone will love the Milwaukee County Zoo or Milwaukee Public Museum which are both open on Mondays.
- Make a splash in the Wisconsin Dells.
For two-day or century riders, your 100 mile stopping point is the Wisconsin Dells – Waterpark Capital of the World. Book a room at one of our partner hotels like Kalahari or Great Wolf Lodge. Or, if you want to spend your vacation enjoying the outdoors, take a ride by land and water on the Original Wisconsin Ducks. You can also camp right at the RAW midpoint at Mirror Lake and enjoy activities such as biking, hiking, and beach swimming. Our friends at Wisconsin DNR are cooking up family-friendly activities for Ride Across Wisconsin guests on Saturday, August 19th.
- Enjoy the journey!
Your support crew can safely follow you along the route by using the driving directions and timing chart posted on the RAW website. Our timing chart is a handy tool that will help your crew plan their day, allowing them to anticipate your arrival at each of the rest stops based on how fast you plan to ride. Let us know your family is coming with you to RAW and we will have activity bags for the kids waiting at registration – including a RAW car bingo game to help you explore some amazing sites and stops along the way!
- Keep your crew well fed.
Brats, fish fry, cheese curds, ice cream, cranberries, Kringle…so many amazing treats to indulge in as you Ride Across Wisconsin. If your team wants to eat with you in the Wisconsin Dells (picnic style) or at American Family Field (tailgate style), guest wristbands for food (and beer for your significant other and adult support crew – naturally) are available when you register.
- Last…but not least… register them for an iconic ride of their own!
On Saturday, August 19th – following the registered RAW participants – we are hosting a Family Fun Ride on the Elroy-Sparta Trail, the Nation’s first rail trail. Kids ride free with a $20 adult registration (all riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult) with t-shirts for all participants. Report to the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce (RAW rest stop 1) by 8:30 AM for a 9 AM start. Ride 11 miles to the Norwalk rest stop and take a shuttle back to Sparta or double the adventure and ride back for an amazing 22 mile ride. The trail will be closed to traffic and riders will get to experience the iconic tunnels that stay dark and cool – even on the hottest August day!
Even though you’re bound to find many riding partners along your journey, sometimes the best motivation comes from the hugs and high fives from your loved ones. A little vacation pre-planning will ensure everyone has an epic adventure across Wisconsin!