The Great Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River (GRABAAWR) is a 500-mile, 7-day supported bicycle tour of Wisconsin from Eagle River to Prairie du Chien. It has been run in the last week of June, for 21 consecutive years by the Bike Wisconsin organization.
The 2006 tour had 900 registrants from 38 states and 3 Canadian provinces. Participants included 274 females of average age 48 and 626 males of average age 52, while the oldest was 81.
The ride route follows mainly along two-lane public roads, most with very low car traffic. Starting in the Northwoods, the route is gentle rolling and tree-lined. In the central areas, it is often through open farm fields with some rolling hills and an infrequent challenging ascent. In the West, it is combined rolling and flats with a couple of quite challenging ascents, one being optional.
Overnights and approximate mileages in 2006: Eagle River, Rhinelander (102 option) 51 , Merrill 57, Stevens Point 59, Adams-Friendship 70, Baraboo 56, Richland Center 82, Prairie du Chien 65.
Many bikers enthusiastically ride year after year. They may participate in small groups as "clubs" with custom-designed jerseys or form loose organizations; many publish their experiences online.
For 2007 the long-time organizer transferred ownership to "Two Bicycles and a Map," as reflected in the revised "bikewisconsin" web page link. They also organize SAGBRAW.
GRABAAWR is within the category of Wikipedia entry Challenge riding, where numerous similar and more difficult rides are listed.