Exploring the Midwest

Three great reasons to get out and explore the midwest this summer.

Davenport, Iowa

Just across the Mississippi River from Illinois, Davenport is home to the Bix 7, a challenging seven mile race that brings some of the top runners in the world to the Midwest on July 26. Held in conjunction with the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival (runners get free admission Saturday evening after the race), the Bix 7  is known throughout the Midwest.

Reasons to go: It’s the middle of the summer. It’s Iowa. It’s going be be hot and humid, so why not challenge yourself to conquer the Brady Street Hill with more than 15,000 other competitors? That killer hill right at the start makes the Bix a truly memorable race. For those who don’t want to do the full seven miles, there’s also the Quick Bix, a two-mile fun run or walk.

The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival (he was a Quad Cities native) takes place from July 24-27 and features 10 of the top jazz bands in the country.

This year, the cross-state cycling tour RAGBRAI finishes up on July 26 in nearby LeClair, Iowa, so hotel rooms will be at a premium this race weekend.

Other Options: The Quad Cities area offers the all you’d expect with recreation along the Mississippi River—including river boat gambling. If you prefer to keep your money safe for race entries, there are plenty of city things to do in Davenport and a nice Riverfront park for running or walking. If the Bix isn’t enough of challenge for you, head back into Illinois and ride the Great River Trail, a 62-mile route that’s mostly uninterrupted from Rock Island to Savannah, Ill. www.visitquadcities.com

Green County, Wisconsin

Does the Tour de France have you excited to get out on the bike? You’ll find great cycling in Green County, Wis., just north of the Illinois border.

Where to stay: The Earth Rider Hotel, a five-room boutique hotel with a cycling theme in Brodhead, Wis., is a great place to stay and serve as basecamp for some great country riding. Each room is stylishly decorated and named for a five-time Tour de France winner. And Earth Rider even features a full-service bike shop in the buiding, as well as convenient and secure bike storage.

Where to ride: Brodhead is located at the southern entrance to the Sugar River Trail, which offers a scenic  23-mile route of crushed limestone. The nearby Badger Trail is a rail-to-trail that extends from Belleville, Wis., to the Illinois state line nearly 44 miles away. The trail is best known for the  Stewart Tunnel, a restored 1,200-foot long tunnel built in 1887. A bend in the tunnel means you ride into total darkness, so bring a light.

For roadies, Green County offers 279 miles of paved roads that are perfect for cycling. You can get recommended routes from the hotel or explore on your own.

Bike Green County offers a great service for riders looking to explore without the hassle. They’ll organize a custom route for your interests and take care of all the details. You just tell them what, when and how long you’d like to ride, and they’ll plan the route, book the rooms, supply maps and transport your luggage from place to place. You get to enjoy the ride. www.earthridercycling.com, www.greencounty.org.

Grand Haven, Michigan

In its fouth year, the Grand Haven Triathlon on July 13 is a great excuse for Chicago-area triathletes to explore the west coast of Michigan. The event features Olympic- and sprint distance triathons plus a sprint-distance duathlon. The swim is in Lake Michigan and features a beach start. The bike is relatively flat with some rolling hills over recently paved roads. The run takes you along the Grand Haven boardwalk,past waterfront stadium and the city marina.

“It’s a very scenic course,” says Ron Knoll, the race organizer. “It does a nice job of showing off the area.” He expects 650 to 750 athletes for this year’s race.

Where to stay: Grand Haven is a popular summer destination, so choices for lodging abound. The Holiday Inn, Days

Inn and Beacon Inn Best Western are all near the race start. The Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce can help you with a complete list of hotels as well a rental properties available.

Other Options: You’ve got the Lake Michigan beach to enjoy. If you’d like to ride more after the race, there are good road biking and mountain biking in the area. The Michigan Mountain Biking Association offers trail guides to help you explore. If you’d like to get out on the water, there are plenty of options in Grand Haven, including schooner charters from Wind Dancer, which features a 63-foot sailboat. Head to the Grand Haven State Park for hiking and great views of the Michigan shoreline. www.grandhaventri.com, www.visitgrandhaven.com