Border Raiders bike tour in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri
The Biking Bis blog is listing 95 multi-day bike tours in 47 states for 2008. That's 7 more states and 13 more tours than last year. You'll find them at “2008 Across State Bicycle Tours.”
While I was digging around to update the annual rides and fill in some blanks, I was struck by the amazing artwork that some tours use to publicize their events. I'm particularly impressed by ones that keep the bicycle motif, but also lend a flavor from the state they represent.
Border Raiders, above, is probably the most unforgettable. John Brown is hoisting a wheel and a tire pump, looking a lot like an angry dude who has suffered his 5th blowout of the day. I also like the Legacy Annual Great Bike Ride Across Utah (right) because the red-rock arch completes the wheel.
I went back through the links and picked out my favorites. I hope you'll enjoy these too. But first, a few words about this list of state bike tours.
The list
This list first went up in 2005 when I started the blog. Since then, I've been adding more every year. It usually takes until March before all the groups update their websites, although many publish their dates the previous year.
Many of the rides are generally patterned after RAGBRAI and route cyclists clear across the state. Others just do a portion of the state. Nearly all are fully supported, meaning they'll feed you and carry your luggage. I've marked the two that are self-supported.
To include more options for bicyclists, I've included a few rides by the non-profit Adventure Cycling Association, as well as some longer charity bike rides. New Jersey, Mississippi, and Vermont only have rides offered by private concerns, and I've just listed the companies to contact. I couldn't really find any multi-day rides for Arkansas, Alabama or West Virginia.
If you know of one, please leave a comment.
More logos
Bicycle Tour of Colorado shows high mountains
Oklahoma bike tour features a Native American shield
Cowboy on a bike is Tour of Wyoming
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure has a railroad theme
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