Below are some questions that usually come up each year. (updated November 3, 2025)
What are the dates for the bike tour? Saturday, June 13-Friday, June 19, 2026, are the expected dates for the 2026 Tour of MN. Most participants will arrive late afternoon on Saturday, June 13 to pick up their registration packet, set up their tents (or check in to their hotel), and attend a welcome/info meeting, although you are welcome to come and go anytime you'd like. The first day of actual riding for the weeklong tour is Sunday, June 14.
What is the cost to register? The 6-day bike tour fee is $499 (includes 6 breakfasts and 3 dinners, daily snacks at rest stops, route maps/turn-by-turn directions, SAG vehicles, showers, phone charging stations, entertainment, and campsites, to name a few things.) The 2-day sampler options cost $175 per session; includes 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner.
What is NOT covered by registration? You are responsible for costs such as staying at a hotel, lunches, souvenirs, side excursions, and airfare.
Note: T-shirts are an add on at the time you register, so you can decide if you want a shirt or not. We will have a limited supply of extras for sale at the event for $20. Although we think our t-shirts are cool, not everybody wants/needs another shirt. Still, some people really would like a keepsake from the event. Now, the choice is yours.
Are there any additional fees I should be prepared for? Yes, there are optional fees for:
- towel service ($20 for the week for 1 towel daily)
- e-bike charging ($25 for the week/$10 for 2 days)
- rv/campers/trailers ($50 for the week; $20 for 2 nights)
- tent porter service ($275 for the week; $100 for 2 nights)
- SS Tour of MN carabiner mug (free one included for anyone not on the 2025 tour; $5 replacement fee)
Where will the tour go in 2026?
- June 13-15 (North Mankato)
- June 15-17 (Albert Lea)
- June 17-19 (Faribault)
Is the tour a "loop" or a "point to point"? Neither! We changed up the format, and the bike tour now consists of 2-night stays, along with 2 days of riding in 3 different cities. Each day will offer a different and unique route. Upon arriving back in camp on the second day in each host city, participants can shower, pack up their gear, and drive to the next host city.
Are the routes on trails or open roads? It's a combination of both. We try to make use of pre-existing paved bike trails, but occasionally we need to make use of city streets, county roads, and sometimes highways.
I'm not planning on having a vehicle with me. How will I get from one host city to another? You may join the Facebook group, "T.O.M.'s Chain Gang", to ask other participants if someone would let you carpool with them.
What are the overnight accommodations?
We offer several options for where to sleep at night.
- pitch your own tent in our group campsite (no charge)
- use our tent porter service ($275 for the week; $100 for the 2-day sampler)
- reserve a room with our room block in each host city (limited number available)
- stay at lodging of your choice, such as a different hotel, a B&B, a local rental, a friend's house, etc.
- sleep in your vehicle (e.g. car, van, small trailer/camper, etc.)
- N. Mankato (trailer/camper parking only; possible electrical hookups)
- Albert Lea (electrical and water hookups and grey water discharge available)
- Faribault (electrical hookups only)
How many miles do people typically ride each day? Our goal is to keep the longer daily mileage at least 50-60 miles, when possible. Each day will usually offer shorter options (~20-35 miles.) The total mileage (assuming one does the longer mileage options) is usually 250-300 miles for the week. However, since we are coming back to camp each day, riders always have the option of shorter routes or NOT riding at all, should they choose.
How many riders do you expect? We have 250 spots for the weeklong ride and 50 spots for each of the 2-day sampler options, plus a few dozen staff/main volunteers.
Does this ride sell out? We have sold out all of our full week slots every year since 2017, usually within 1-2 days after registration opens at noon on February 1. In 2024, the event sold out in 6 minutes!
Do you offer any discounts? Yes. Here are the codes to use when you register. If you forgot to use the codes during registration, let us know ASAP. No discounts after May 1, once we submit our meal counts. For those that opt out of meals, please refrain from "just trying a little bite because it looks good".
YOUTH (40% off anyone under 24)
UNDER40 (20% off for anyone 24-39)
WEEKNOBREAKFAST ($75 off for weeklong riders passing on breakfasts, b/c in a hotel, don't eat breakfast, etc.)
2DAYNOBREAKFAST ($25 off for 2-day riders passing on breakfasts, b/c you are in a hotel, don't eat breakfast, etc.)
WEEKNOMEALS ($125 off for weeklong riders passing on all 9 meals we provide)
2DAYNOMEALS ($40 off 2-day riders passing on the 3 meals we provide)
What time are meals?
breakfast every day from 6:30-8:00 a.m.
dinner Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday night from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
lunch on your own every day; plan accordingly
What is a typical menu for a meal that the tour provides?
Breakfast: yogurt and oatmeal (w/ toppings), eggs, a meat, OJ, milk, and coffee
Dinner: (example menus)
- taco bar: flour/corn tortillas, ground beef (alternative protein), lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guac
- BBQ: pulled pork (alternative protein), green salad, pasta salad
- pasta: pasta entree, sausage (alternative protein), green salad, breadsticks
Are there other important times to note?
- 6:45 p.m. optional Q & A session to talk about the next day's routes, sights, etc.
- 9 p.m. through 6:00 a.m. quiet time, including generators (with the exception of the CPAP one, if needed)
- noon to 9 p.m. charging station(s) available. Overnight charging is NOT guaranteed.
Why do I have to pay full price if I'm planning on staying in a hotel, transporting my own luggage, not using the showers/bathrooms in camp, not wanting to eat your meals, passing on the entertainment, etc.? This bike tour is a camping first event, that unlike numerous other bike tours, offers people the option of staying somewhere else overnight. However, we still need to reserve and pay for the amenities as a group of participants, and in most cases, we have no idea if someone is staying in our group campsites and using the various amenities. Also, people staying in hotels enjoy knowing that our shower truck is available for them, as most hotels have a check out time before you're done riding the day's route and a late afternoon check in time.
I may have a partial scheduling conflict. Can I come late/leave early? Yes, and since you will probably have your vehicle, you will have a lot more flexibility. Registration fees are NOT pro-rated if you need to modify dates, but you can register for one or more of the "Two-Day Sampler" options.
Can couples or small groups register together? Yes. We have an option for groups of up to 10 people to register together at the same time. Use the "Group Registration" button on the bottom of the registration page. One person will have to enter in information (birthdate, email address, meal choice, emergency contact name/number, shirt size-if buying a shirt, etc.) for each person in their group AND make one lump payment for the group.
What is the refund/transfer policy? Cancellations done in writing via a time stamped email no later than midnight May 1, 2026 will be refunded the paid registration fee minus $100. Cancellations made after May 1, 2026 will not be refunded any money at all. We understand that people are signing up months in advance and that things happen, but realize we still have contractual obligations to honor and pay for in advance. Transfers are allowed but please alert us, as we need to ensure proper waivers are signed, information gathered, etc. to fulfill legal and liability requirements.
We cannot emphasize it enough to please consider purchasing personal "trip insurance."
Do you allow us to bring campers? Yes. See information above regarding overnight accommodations.
Do you allow non-riders to join? Non-riders are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer for us in the form of an official SAG vehicle driver or at rest stops. Volunteers not only get a free shirt, meals, and our utmost thanks, but they also get a guaranteed slot for a rider. If you have someone that was going to be joining you but wasn't going to ride, have them give consideration to being a volunteer. The time commitments and tasks are really easy. Only registered people (both riders and volunteers/staff) are allowed to partake in our meals, rest stops, shower trucks, etc. during the tour.
Are E-bikes allowed? Yes, pedal assist e-bikes (types 1 and 3) are allowed. We simply ask that you be responsible for maintaining a proper daily charge, and for getting from one destination to the other on your own. Our support vehicles are for mechanical and health issues, NOT because one's bike is out of power. We will have a dedicated e-bike charging station in camp. There is a $25 (for the week) to use our designated power strips and/or heavier duty generator for e-bike charging, payable upon check in. The e-bike charging station is available daily from noon-9 p.m. Charging ability is NOT guaranteed overnight. You may try to find your own outlets/electrical sources but realize that not all of our campsites have electrical outs available.
How experienced/fit of a cyclist do I need to be to participate in the Tour of MN? Many people that participate in bike tours, like TOM, are just recreational cyclists. However, as with many things in life, practice riding ahead of the event will make for a much better experience. Most days on the TOM, mileage is very reasonable and doable. We would suggest you get to a point, before the actual bike tour, where you are riding 3 times a week (for 4-6 weeks) with some longer rides of 20-40 miles at a time. It also helps to stop by your local bike shop to get your bike tuned up and fitted to your body mechanics.
What happens if I get hurt, sick, etc. and can't finish the rest of the tour? That does sometimes happen, but since you will probably have your vehicle with you in camp, you can more easily take care of this if needed.
Will there be a way to plug in CPAP machines overnight? We are planning to once again offer an area where those with CPAP machines can pitch their tent and plug into a power strip we provide. We will run one of our extension cords into either an outdoor outlet or one of our smaller generators through the night. You will need to bring an (25-50 ft.) extension cord of your own to plug into our power strip from your tent.
Are bike helmets expected/required? Yes! Our insurance company requires it, and for good reason. Besides being a good safety habit, not wearing a helmet voids our insurance policy. Hence, any time someone is over the top tube of their bike, their helmet is expected to be worn, even for short distances, like riding to the bathroom. Realize that our staff do not actively monitor bike helmet usage, but if any of our staff happen to notice someone in not wearing their helmet while riding, they will simply give you (1) verbal reminder. If it occurs again, that participant may be dismissed from the remainder of the tour and without any refund.
Why aren't all meals included? We've never included all meals. Plus, a part of our mission is to get our participants into the communities we visit AND spend money there. Host cities are more willing and open to us bringing our bike tour to their community when we do this. Also, we stopped providing lunches due to the logistical issues of coordinating the biking paces/schedules of 300 people.
What is the plan if the weather forecast is hot, humid, rainy, lightning, poor air quality, etc.? While we do monitor the weather forecasts very closely, we do still have to wait to see what actually happens each day, as forecasts often change over time. If the weather is hot, we will have extra water & electrolytes out on the routes. If there is rain, lightning, humidity, poor air quality, etc., the event still goes on, although it may likely be modified. However, since all routes lead back to our camp and vehicles each day, there is no expectation that people ride in questionable weather. We may adjust the times of rest stops and SAG team support if we expect the issues will be short in nature. You are welcome to do as you please, including leaving early or later, or not riding at all on a particular day. Realize though that your decisions do not impact or take precedence over our outlined group schedule plans.
Why do you not provide single use cups during the tour? Normally, we would go through 1000s of cups over the course of the tour each year. Even when we switched over to compostable paper cups, the waste was enormous, and numerous riders asked us to explore other options. In 2025, we switched over to a stainless-steel camping mug (w/ a carabiner) and gave one out to each rider at check in. They were very well received. People that were NOT on the 2025 tour will receive one at check in. Everyone else will need to bring the mug we gave them OR bring their own mugs. Replacement mugs are available for purchase for $5.
HoursM-F: 5 - 9pm
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address4120 St. Marks Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
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