Across State Bicycle Tours (M)  2012

Maine  Trek Across Maine is a three-day fund-raiser for the Maine Lung Association that routes bicyclists 180 miles across the state. The 2010 bike ride begins at the Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel and ends in Belfast. Overnight stops at University of Maine in Farmington and Colby College in Waterville. Dates: June 15-17, 2012.

MOOSA -- (In Motion Events is taking 2011 off to evaluate its MOOSA bike tour) Maine's Original Outstanding Super Adventure also touches on Canada and visits parts of Vermont and New Hampshire. Dates: June 26 - July 2, 2010.

Maine Bike Rally -- The bike rally encamps in Biddeford in 2012. Some 30 choices of bike rides over the three-day event for mountain bikers and roadies, including a century. Sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Dates: July 6-8, 2012.

Maryland  

Yockatomac Trek   follows the C&O Canal and Great Allegheny Passage for a bed & breakfast bike tour from Washington DC to Pittsburgh, PA. The organizers handle the route and logistics of forwarding luggage; the riders must make their own reservations at pre-selected B&Bs along the route. Usual 335 miles by canal towpath and rail-to-trail, and another 25 or so miles on roads to B&Bs. Dates: June 13-21, 2009

Sojourn 2012 -- Rails to Trails Conservancy returns to the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage for its annual Greenway Sojourn bike ride. Leaves Washington DC and ends in Pittsburgh by traveling the route of the historic canal and abandoned railway. Dates: June 17-24, 2012. (Registration opens Dec. 1.)

C&O Canal/GAP -- This is a fully supported bike ride along the canal to Cumberland and then along the GAP rail-to-trail bike path to Pittsburgh. Camping and indoor accommodations. Offered by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: Sept. 29 - Oct. 6, 2012.

C&O Family -- Oriented to parents and their children, this tour starts in Cumberland, MD, and take a slow pace to Washington DC. Riders will explore historic landmarks and activities along the way. Fully supported by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: July 9 - 15, 2011.

C&O Canal by Bike and the Like. Dates: October 16 - 21, 2011. Check the C&O Canal website.

Great Lakes  -- Self-supported  bike tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula starts in Petoskey, shuttles across the Mackinac Bridge, then visit the Soo Locks between Lake Superior and Lake Huron and other regions. Loops back to Petoskey for 381 miles. Presented by Adventure Cycling Association.  Dates: June 9-19, 2012.

Pedal Across Lower Michigan uses scenic, paved roads ideal for beginning and intermediate cyclists; very kid friendly and ideal for families. Starts in St. Joseph and ends in New Baltimore, with overnights in Paw Paw, Battle Creek, Leslie, Perry, and Oxford. Daily mileages range between 35 to 60 miles, with longer options for those who want the challenge. Dates: June 23-29, 2012. 

Michigander Bicycle Tour -- An ideal ride for mountain and hybrid bikes on rails-to-trails riding (also includes route for roadies).  Cyclists can choose three different rides. Two day --  July 14-15, 2012; Six day -- July 15-20, 2012; Seven day --  July 14-20, 2012. Seven-day tour starts in Indian River, with overnights in Mackinaw City, Onaway, Alpena, Atlanta, Gaylord, Indian River and a finish at Mackinaw City. Sponsored by Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance.

Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour (DALMAC) is a four- or five-day ride, covering 300 to 500 miles depending on which of the five routes riders choose. From East Lansing to (or over) the Machinaw Bridge. Limited to about 1,900 riders. Sponsored by the Tri-County Bicycle Association. Dates: 5-Day or Bridge Ride -- Aug. 29 - Sept. 2, 2012. See the website for other options and directions.

Great Lakes Relaxed -- A fully supported bike tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Starts in Mackinaw City and covers 237 miles of rural roads. Offered by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: Sept. 8-15, 2012.

Great Lakes - Inn-to-Inn -- Although cyclists will have to carry their own gear on this self-supported bicycle tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, they can travel light because nights and meals are spent indoors. This loop ride from Petoskey covers 356 miles. Presented by nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: Sept. 15-25, 2012.

Minnesota 

Habitat 500 bike ride is a fund-raiser for the Habitat for Humanity Minnesota. The Habitat 500-mile ride will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2012. Check the website for details when they available. Dates: July 15-21, 2012.

Red Ribbon Ride -- is a 300-mile bicycle tour fund-raiser for Minnesota AIDS service organizations; celebrating its 10th year in 2012. Starts at Mall of America in Bloomington, to Lake City, to Rochester, to Northfield with a closing ceremony at the state capitol is St. Paul. Dates: July 19-22, 2012.

MS TRAM Bike Tour -- The fund-raiser for the Minnesota chapter of the MS Society is a week-long supported bike ride around the central lakes region of the state. Check website for daily destination and accommodations. No mileage available. Dates:  July 22-27, 2012.

Bicycling Around Minnesota visits the southern lakes region of the state. The loop starts and ends in Mankato; overnights in New Prague, New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. Register early -- limited to 275 riders. Dates: Aug. 18 - 21, 2011.

Mississippi  At least three private companies offer bicycle tours, all of which include at least some riding on the Natchez Trace. Check out Classic Adventures, Woman Tours, Black Bear Adventures.

Missouri  

Katy Trail - Family Fun -- This bike tour covers 191 miles of the Katy rail-trail through Missouri. Five days of cycling starting in St. Charles. Follows the Lewis and Clark Route up the Missouri River. Supported bike tour offered by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: June 30 - July 6, 2012.

The Katy Trail Ride (also known as "Catch the Katy") is a 225-mile ride from Clinton to St. Charles on the nation's longest rail-to-trail route. Mountain bicycles and hybrids are recommended as the surface is crushed limestone. The ride is limited to 300 cyclists.Dates: June 20 - 24, 2011.

Cycle Route 66 - America's Mother Road is the latest week-long bicycle ride offered by the Gateway Council of Hostelling International USA. The tour covers 270 miles of the original highway. It starts at the Route 66 State Park in Eureka, with overnights in Cuba, St. Robert, Lebanon, Springfield and Carthage. Dates: Oct. 10 - 15, 2010. (Check Illinois bike tour listings for Cycle Route 66 -- Illinois.)

Other Missouri bike rides:

Moonlight Ramble -- A nighttime ride through St. Louis, starting at the Soldiers Memorial Plaza. About 18 miles. States at 8  p.m.  Date: Aug. 13, 2011.

See also Kansas: Border Raiders ...

Montana 

Cycle Montana bike tour loop begins in Bozeman and takes in the Tobacco Root Mountains before visiting Virginia City and Nevada City ghost towns. The ranching town of Dillon and Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway are on the itinerary before the climb to the Continental Divide, followed by visits to Butte and Bozeman. 358 miles. Fully supported, presented by nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: June 23 - 29, 2012.

Glacier-Watertown Loop is a 350-mile self-contained bicycle tour that starts in Whitefish, Montana, and visits British Columbia as well as Glacier National Park and the Ride to the Sun Highway. Presented by nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: July 8-17, 2012.

Cycle Divide Canada -- This self-contained bicycle tour starts with a van ride to Banff, Alberta, and ends in Whitefish, Montana. Bicyclists will ride paved and dirt roads of the Great Divide for 343 miles. Presented by Adventure Cycling Association. Dates: July 15-24, 2012.

Montana Bicycle Ride -- The folks who present the Oregon Bike Ride are launching a bike tour of Montana and Idaho. Check the website or Facebook page for route details. Dates: Aug. 4-11, 2012.

Other Montana bike rides

Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River (STOKR) is a one- or two-day charity bike ride out of Libby, Montana. Day 1 offers a 98- and 45-mile option. Day 2 is a 37-mile ride to Lake Koocanusa. Limited to 400 cyclists; registration is Feb. 14-19, 2012. Dates: May 12-13, 2012.

Tour of the Swan River Valley West (TOSRV-West) is a 2-day, 226-mile loop bike tour through western Montana. The ride starts in Missoula, overnights in Bigfork, then returns to Missoula. Patterned after the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) in Ohio. Dates: May 19-20, 2012

Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day (RATPOD) is a 130-mile fund-raiser (Camp Make a Dream) loop bike ride that encircles the Pioneer Mountains, starting in Dillon. Registration for the popular ride opens on March 1; 650 cyclists maximum. Date: June 23, 2012.

West Yellowstone-Old Faithful Bicycle Tour is a fundraiser for several local charities in West Yellowstone, Montana. The National Park Service caps the ride at 350 participants for the 60-mile up and back ride to Old Faithful. The ride coincides National Public Lands Day, when no admission is required. Date: Sept. 24, 2011.

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