Offering world-class bike racing since 2009
The KwikTrip Tour of America’s Dairyland (ToAD) launched in 2009 when several Milwaukee-area cycling enthusiasts, among them Tom Schuler and Billy Ochowicz, came together to start a multi-day road cycling race in a similar structure to the globally recognized Superweek/ICC that was in decline. They were united by the belief that everyone should have access to a world-class bicycle racing experience and wanted to ensure Wisconsin held on to widely embraced idea of staging ten or more consecutive days of bike racing here in America’s Dairyland!
Since that humble start, the series typically stages 11 consecutive days in 11 different communities throughout Southeast Wisconsin, making it the longest competitive road cycling series in the nation. Each of those days, 8-10 races are held from late morning until dusk, offering opportunities for juniors as young as nine years old to seasoned masters racers, novices to pros, women and men and even our amazing handcyclists. Each year we welcome nearly 1000 unique pro and amateur racers from more than 40 U.S. states and 15 countries, averaging 450-500 daily.
ToAD has become one of the most popular race series internationally, earning an outstanding reputation for participant, fan and sponsor experiences. In the 2017 post-race survey, 98.5 percent of riders said they would recommend ToAD to friends or a teammate and 97 percent said they plan to race ToAD again.
Star Power
Over the years, we have been honored to have so many recognized Pro/elite cyclists roll up to our starting line. Past participants include Matt Busche (USAC Pro Road Winner), Sam & Skylar Schneider (hometown proud who dominate road racing), Rahsaan Bahati (multi-time US National Crit Champion), Jennifer Valente (US Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist on the track), Brent Emery (former U.S. Olympian), Katie Compton (14-time U.S. Cyclocross National Champion), Dan Holloway (U.S. Olympic track team), Coryn Rivera (holder of 71 U.S. National titles in road, track, cyclocross and MTB; only American to win the Tour of Flanders), and so many more!
Recognizing Incredible Dedication and Loyalty Since 2009
ToAD would not have had the success we’ve seen since our inception in 2009 without the amazing sponsors, people & host cities who have been with us from the very beginning. We continue to recognize them below and can only say THANK YOU!
People
- Todd Busteed (professional announcer) – The guy who puts so much energy in due diligence pre-race and an enthusiastic approach to each and every sponsor, Todd views himself as one of us & is always willing to stand by our side as we prepare for the series each year.
- Brad Sohner (professional announcer) – That voice. That energy! That love for chocolate milk! That Brad Sohner; he’s the bomb of race voices.
- Jay Baumeister (Tenspeed Productions) – Willing to go the extra mile and always there! Tenspeeds has been our sole provider of staging and the barricades we love, although we since purchased them from Jay. We’ve worked closely with Jay on various fronts over the years and you’ll not find a better friend to also call a supplier.
- Megan Starshak (staff) – A marketing genius, Megan came to ToAD in Year One with an idea to mimic as close as we could the professional stages of bike races around the world! We said yes and here so many years later, she continues to add more and more value to so many things we do! Her latest endeavors now give you this timeless website that she oversees along with the oversight of our Race Ambassador program.
Sponsors
- Trek Bicycles – A world-wide leader in bikes and a company very Wisconsin proud! Where would our cycling community be without Trek?
- Wisconsin Bike Fed – A leader in the world of cycling advocacy organizations. Wisconsin has been blessed to have our very own Bike Fed to have our backs, fighting for access and safe pathways for all! Not a member? Shame on you; join today!
Host Cities
- Grafton – The Giro d’ Grafton was our founding race, begun in 2007 by one of our founding partners, Billy Ochowicz and a few racing buddies, Michael Martens and Jeff Littman! Still running strong today thanks to the continued commitment of the Village of Grafton, Celebrate Grafton & it’s team of leaders.
- Downer Avenue – The Otto Wenz Cafe Hollander Downer Classic is one of the granddaddy’s of bike races around the USA and lives large in the hearts of fans and racers alike. The atmosphere is electric and continually draws ToAD’s largest fields year after year, amateur and pro, women and men!
