Cyclists to stay two nights at rec center
By Angie Landsverk
The Spectacular Annual Great Bike Ride Around Wisconsin is in this part of the state this year.
“This is a unique opportunity to bring in a different type of activity to the area and bring some awareness of what this area can offer for silent sports,” said Andrew Whitman, Waupaca’s parks and recreation director.
About 50 people are expected to participate in the loop tour that begins and ends in Stevens Point.
The ride includes a layover in Waupaca from Wednesday, Aug. 7 until Friday, Aug. 9.
“It’s a six-day tour,” said Rob Layton. “We stay two nights in each town.”
Layton is the owner of Bike Wisconsin.
He is based in Chicago and started Bike Illinois in 2003.
When the previous owners of Wisconsin’s company wanted to retire, he saw it as a “fantastic opportunity.”
His first year operating Bike Wisconsin was 2017.
“Obviously, one of the benefits of doing these types of events is people from out of town get to see all a town has to offer,” Layton said.
This year’s cycling tour
This year’s participants are spending time in Stevens Point, Adams-Friendship and Waupaca.
They arrive in Stevens Point on Saturday, Aug. 3.
The tour begins Monday, Aug. 5, when they bike about 72 miles from Stevens Point to Adams-Friendship.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, they bike about 69 miles from Adams-Friendship to Waupaca.
All the routes primarily follow back roads and bike paths, with rest stops every 15 to 20 miles.
Bike Wisconsin provides snacks, water and sports drinks at the rest stops, as well as mechanical and medical support services.
The ride to Waupaca includes a rest stop in Saxeville.
The tour wraps up Friday, Aug. 9, when they bike 41 miles from Waupaca to Stevens Point, with a rest stop in Amherst.
Participants will bike between 180 and 330 miles by the time they are done, said Layton.
He said 180 miles is the mandatory number.
On layover days, people have the option of biking various loops in and out of town, Layton said.
On the layover in Waupaca, one option is a loop that includes Scandinavia and Iola, he said.
Layton does not know if the tour ever took place in this part of the state before.
“It’s the first time we’ve done it since taking over,” he said.
Participants are staying at the Waupaca Recreation Center during their layover here.
The common council voted months ago to allow Bike Wisconsin to use the center and set up tents in the lower parking lot area on the nights of Aug. 7 and 8.
Some will pitch tents on the grassy area behind the center.
Others will sleep in sleeping bags or on air mattresses in the center’s Exercise Room.
A council vote was necessary because Waupaca’s code states that all the city parks and recreation areas are open for use from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Layton contacted Whitman and requested use of the center.
It meets the tour’s needs, which include restrooms, showers and a proximity to downtown.
Bike Wisconsin provides a continental breakfast each morning.
Participants are on their own for lunch and dinner.
They “definitely will be hitting downtown,” Layton said.
Whitman said this is a “great opportunity to not only showcase the rec center but our community to others.”