Bike Door County with the Peninsula Century Rides
Door County is known as one of the Midwest’s most pristine vacation destinations. Its vibrant villages, five state parks, and long list of lodging and dining options make it an idyllic location for summer and fall getaways, and are also some of the reasons it’s a great biking destination.
What makes biking in Door County special? The variety. The bluffs of the Niagara Escarpment provide challenging climbs. The four mainland state parks provide unparalleled midwestern scenery, and Lake Michigan carves breathtaking shoreline vistas.
But what sets the county apart is that all of this natural beauty is painted between quaint villages and towns that offer incredible food, drinks, art, and culture that few destinations in the country can match. Whether you’re the type of cyclist who wants a 100-mile challenge, or a 25-mile jaunt with a little more time for sipping and savoring, your biggest problem will be choosing which option to ride out of all the great routes the county offers.
Within Door County’s villages and towns are the accommodations, along with food and drink, needed to make a biking trip unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for a campsite, quaint motel, or resort, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to stay, and you’re likely to find a favorite.
Those accommodations are accompanied by numerous coffee shops & cafes, craft breweries and wineries, and classic restaurants. The county won’t leave you looking for more to eat, even though biking always will.
Door County is a place to enjoy the outdoors, relax, and bike, and every year, twice, the Peninsula Century rides facilitate enjoying one of Wisconsin’s most unique destinations as a biking destination.
About Our Rides
The Peninsula Century Spring Classic and Fall Challenge annually welcome 800 riders each to experience Door County’s best cycling routes with classic ride support fueled by local establishments. With routes comprised of views of Lake Michigan and quiet countryside roads linking them together, the rides are the perfect way to see the sights of the county and be the cornerstone of a biking getaway.
Both rides offer four distances – the longest being a 100-mile route and the shortest being a 25-mile route. Routes are designed by local riders and prioritize safety, rideability, and scenery – they also take riders as far north up the Peninsula as possible! Along the routes are rest stops featuring snacks, food, and coffee from local restaurants, orchards, and shops. Partnering with 13+ local food & beverage businesses to bring the tastes of the county to riders each year!
Each ride features a unique start/finish location that embody two different but quintessential Door County settings. At the Spring Classic, riders start and finish on the historic Horseshoe Bay Farms – one of the county’s oldest farm properties now preserved. The property is nestled beneath the bluffs of Egg Harbor and moments from the waterfront. Later in the year, at the Fall Challenge, riders roll in and out of Sister Bay’s Waterfront Park. The energy of the village, along with the expansive waterfront view, makes it a brilliant venue to start and finish a day of riding.
Served up at the finish of each Peninsula Century is a meal by Thyme Catering, accompanied by local craft brews from Bridge Up Brewing or Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery, followed by some delicious Door County cherry crisp.
Experience the beauty of Door County from your bicycle at the Peninsula Century Spring Classic – June 20 or Fall Challenge – September 19, 2026.
Learn more and register at peninsulacentury.com.
