The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Ride Wisconsin - Door County

September 6th to September 15th

Ride Director: Frank Hanson
Ride Co-Director: Linda Kimball
Report by: Ramsey Doran

Door Country is perfect for September cycling with BAC!  Leaders Linda Kimball and Frank Hanson opened the tour in Green Bay with a bountiful happy hour. After introductions, Frank talked about the first day’s route(s), and Linda provided notes on the local area; this mingling and meeting were repeated throughout the tour. We’d be staying two nights in each of three towns and Frank provided a variety of options for our “stay days.” The group strolled to a local trattoria for a delicious Italian meal, carb-loading for the tour.

The ride to Sturgeon Bay had an optional gravel section that was part of the Ahnapee Bike Trail (part of Wisconsin’s 1000-mile Ice Age Trail).  This 6-mile stretch was a scenic jaunt over crushed stone, suitable for skinny and fat tires alike.  Lunch in the Belgium area could be found off route at a restaurant with a vast array of tchotchkes. Endpoint for the day was the Stone Harbor Lodge, with spacious rooms for cyclists and their bikes.

Sturgeon Bay had many food and shopping options, and a well-stocked bicycle shop. On the stay-day, riders in search of altitude headed north to Egg Harbor on the Green Bay side of the peninsula.  They were rewarded with amazing views, some bay-side cycling, and a return up(!) on the bluff. Others headed south to Algoma with a portion on the Michigan Lake Shore and a return that included twelve miles on the Ahpanee Bike Trail. A 13-mile option appealed to some, who headed west across the Sturgeon Bay to Potowatomi State Park and location of the eastern terminus of the Ice Age Trail.

Ephraim packs a lot into a small area—great restaurants, museums, art galleries, and stunning views of Green Bay. On the ride up, cyclists could stop for lunch at the Coyote Roadhouse or drop off the route into Bailey’s Harbor for other options. Ice-cold brews from Door County were available everywhere. The reward for a ride-well-done was our second group dinner—a delicious and entertaining Fish Boil at a local restaurant.  Early morning rain on the off-day cleared in time for some riders to take in the Peninsula State Park/Bailey’s Harbor Loop, including a stop at the Cana Island Light House. Others opted for the Sister Bay Loop, which traveled north on Green Bay and then looped through farm country.

The ride to Ellison Bay for our last double-night stay took riders along the famous curvy road to “Death’s Door”.  Ellison Bay’s amenities belied its small size—coffee, cider, restaurants, and an antique mall all were within walking distance of the Parkside Inn. Washington Island, via ferry, was a favorite spot for many riders on the tour, with good roads, light traffic, and spectacular views.   As breakfast options were few on the final morning there, Linda provided breakfast to fuel riders for the 50-miler back to Sturgeon Bay.

Heading south, riders could choose to ride along Lake Michigan or mid-peninsula. The last group dinner was at the Stone Harbor Lodge’s restaurant. Riders praised the gorgeous gardens, apple trees, beautiful barns, yard art, sandhill cranes, white pelicans, and the great bread in Egg Harbor!  Everyone agreed that two-night stays were great; Linda and Frank were complimented on their routes, happy hours, and flexibility. 

The final day into Green Bay, we enjoyed revisiting some familiar sights. We said goodbye to those leaving a day early; remaining riders enjoyed dinner at a local pub and bid adieu the next morning.  Kudos to Linda and Frank for a fabulous tour in a fabulous place!