Cyclists Converge on Door County Sept. 9 – 15

Door County hosts two great cycling events in September. Photo by Len Villano.

Thousands of cyclists will descend on Door County Sept. 9 – 15 for two big bicycle rides.

First up is the Door County Century, celebrating its 40th year with a ride Sept. 9 that starts and ends at the Door County Fairgrounds in Sturgeon Bay. Cyclists can register onsite Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 – 5 pm, and again the morning of the ride. The ride features routes of 30, 50, 70 and 100 miles.

The following week northern Door County gets its turn in the cycling spotlight with the Peninsula Century Fall Challenge, offering four routes all starting and ending at Waterfront Park in Sister Bay.

The Fall Challenge features bites from local restaurants at each rest stop, plus live music from Seth Raddatz and a taco buffet from Thyme Cuisine at the finish line. Riders will also get free Tapuat Kombucha and craft beer from Door County Brewing Co.

Routes of 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles are available, and century ride participants are automatically entered in the Door County Brewing Co. Polka King of the Hills Challenge. Riders will record their times in three hill challenges to compete for prizes, with the overall winner taking home the Polka King of the Hills bike jersey.

Online registration for the Fall Challenge is open at peninsulacenturyfallchallenge.com.

A happy finisher at the Peninsula Century Fall Challenge ride in Sister Bay Sept. 16. The ride drew 621 riders to Waterfront Park, a 20 percent increase over 2016. Photo by Len Villano.