Midwest Cycling Series 2009
2009 marks the inaugural year of the Tour of America's Dairyland, produced by Midwest Cycling Series, LLC. Jack Hirt, former Bike Federation of Wisconsin Executive Director, heads planning and execution as Midwest Cycling Series Executive Director. For more information about the series and for race results, visit the Tour of America's Daryland website.
June 18th: Blue Mounds Race of the Future
The Village of Blue Mounds is a beautiful little community located 25 minutes west of Madison, Wisconsin. Conveniently nestled between Blue Mound State Park (a National Natural Landmark) and Brigham County Park, Blue Mounds offers the best of small town life and easy access to outdoor activities. Local attractions include Little Norway, a living museum devoted to the region's Norwegian influences, and Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard Area.
Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, Blue Mounds State Park, the only Wisconsin state park with a swimming pool, offers spectacular views and unique geological features. The Military Ridge Bicycling Trail, which follows the natural east-west contour of the ridgeline from Fitchburg to Mineral Point, abuts on the southern edge of the park.
June 19th: Trek Waterloo Classic
Professional bike racing is coming to Waterloo, Wisconsin, when Trek Bicycle and the city of Waterloo host the “Waterloo Classic". Featuring top domestic and international pro talent, as well as amateur racers from across the Midwest, the Waterloo Classic promises a full day of action-packed racing. All licensed categories will be eligible to race, with amateur racing beginning at noon, the women’s pro race set for 3 PM, and the pro men’s field taking to the circuit at 6 PM.
In addition to a day of high-energy racing, the Waterloo Classic will include a number of family-oriented activities throughout the day, including a free kids’ area with face-painting, a bounce tent, and temporary tattoos, as well as a fun race at 5 PM for kids of all ages. And to keep hungry bellies full, there will be plenty of great tasting food available at VFW-run concessions.
June 20th: Giro d' Grafton
Located in the heart of Ozaukee County, Grafton, Wisconsin, offers a personal and economic quality of life that draws people and businesses alike to this crossroads community of well-kept homes, tree lined streets and small town warmth. Grafton's brand is "Quality Life. Naturally." Forbes' recent decision to name Ozaukee County the second best place in America to raise a family came as no surprise to Grafton residents who enjoy its nationally ranked schools, low crime rate, short commute times, low cost of living, and reasonably priced homes.
Grafton, an award-winning community, is considered one of the most progressive communities in Wisconsin. Grafton has been careful to retain its small town feel while becoming a regional retail destination. In recent years, the Village has also successfully redeveloped its downtown and created a riverwalk along the adjacent Milwaukee River as an important natural amenity for its shoppers and residents.
June 21st: The Maritime Bay Classic
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is one of two port cities that make up Wisconsin's Maritime Capitol. Thousands of visitors are drawn annually to explore the USS Cobia World War II submarine, tour Rogers Street Fishing Village to view relics of famous shipwrecks, or sail across Lake Michigan on the S. S. Badger. Come explore 20 miles of spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline. From the pristine lakeshore corridors with its stunning parks and beaches and marinas, to historic downtowns and outdoor band concerts, Manitowoc-Two Rivers is a maritime treasure to visit as well as a quality place to live.
June 23rd: Attitude Sports Road Race
Welcome to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin - your host for two days of action and excitement during the Tour of America's Dairyland (June 23rd and 24th, 2009).
Our central location for the Tour of America's Dairyland makes us the perfect place to call home during this 10-city cycling event. We are centrally located in the region - within an hour's drive from Madison and Milwaukee, and only 30 minutes from the Sheboygan, Grafton and Manitowoc areas, we invite you to put down some roots while in Wisconsin.
June 24th: Fond du Lac Cycling Grand Prix
Welcome to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin - your host for two days of action and excitement during the Tour of America's Dairyland (June 23rd and 24th, 2009).
Our central location for the Tour of America's Dairyland makes us the perfect place to call home during this 10-city cycling event. We are centrally located in the region - within an hour's drive from Madison and Milwaukee, and only 30 minutes from the Sheboygan, Grafton and Manitowoc areas, we invite you to put down some roots while in Wisconsin.
June 25th: Sheboygan Harbor Centre Family Day & Bike Race
When Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was selected by a Reader's Digest Survey as "The Number One Place in the Nation to Raise a Family," the poll focused on family life, an absence of crime, low rates of drug and alcohol abuse, good public schools, first-rate health care, a clean environment, affordable cost of living and strong economic growth.
Money Magazine looked at this same data when they talked to retirees who chose their new hometowns specifically for retirement. Sheboygan was ranked number one in the region and described as "a small town with everything: world-class golf courses, notable restaurants, even hot-stone massages."
June 26th: Greenbush Road Race
Greenbush is a quaint town of approximately 3,000 in Sheboygan County. The breathtaking Kettle Moraine Red Oaks State Natural Area and Old Wade House State Parks set the backdrop for some amazing walks and rides. Nearby Bear Lake and Little Round Lake contribute to the town's tranquility.
Greenbush is home to the historic Wade House, a stagecoach inn the provided lodging and meals to travelers in the 19th Century. The three story wooden building was built by Sylvanus Wade in 1850, and quickly gained landmark status for its large size and stylish appearance. This, coupled with the inn's location halfway between the larger cities of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan on the Fond du Lac-Sheboygan Plan Road, ensured that it was a popular stopover for travelers during the 1850s and 60s. However, as travel by horse and stagecoach later became obsolete, the inn fell into disuse. During the 1950s, the vacated Wade House was restored to its Civil War era appearance by the Kohler Foundation. The historic building was then deeded to the Wisconsin Historical Society in 1953. Today the inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is part of the Wade House Historic Site, a historical museum operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society.
June 27th: The Downer Classic
Historic Downer Avenue is home to one of the most famous urban criterium courses in the country. Global in reach and extremely local in flavor, this race promises to be one of the highlights of cycling in Wisconsin this summer. The Downer Classic features a popular kids' race, a Belgian Beer Festival, the famous Ben's Cyclery Ultra Prime Party, as well as a full slate of racing all afternoon and evening. After the awards show, the evening ends with live music by a Milwaukee favorite: The Exotics!
June 28th: Carl Zach Cycling Classic
Downtown Waukesha is rich in history and packed with contemporary flavor. Whatever your interests, tastes or ideas of fun, you're bound to find it in Downtown Waukesha. From truly historical buildings and merchandise to a variety of food and entertainment to diverse shops and galleries, Downtown Waukesha is an exciting urban destination to live, work, shop, eat and play!