^ often asked
When's the next tour?
Each tour is the weekend before Family Camp sessions. On odd numbered years, it's before First Family, and on even numbered years, it's before Second Family. Or, just check the FPYC website.
How far do we ride?
This varies based on the route selected. Generally though, you can expect a longer, first day of around 85 to 100 miles; a shorter, second day of between 70 to 80 miles; and the third and final day of just over 50 miles. This holds generally true unless we do a four day tour, or ride from St Cloud, or if you get lost - then, it will not hold true. Your mileage may vary. Had to say that. Find this year's Route here.
Where do we sleep?
Accommodations each evening, starting Thursday night, are provided by the Tour. Now, those accommodations may be quite humble. A place on the floor for your sleeping bag, bathroom facilities, and for the most part showers, are offered. Sometimes the accommodations are quite nice; for example, when members of the Lord's church open their homes to host riders. Tent camping is rarely employed but has been - year to year we'll let you know if a tent is needed.
In our accommodations we try to provide separation between the genders and where fitting, chaperones.
If you are so inclined, you can opt out of the housing offered by the tour and take a hotel/motel room at any of the stops along the tour's route. These accommodations would be at the rider's expense and may open you to receive snide or petty comments from less rested individuals.
In our accommodations we try to provide separation between the genders and where fitting, chaperones.
If you are so inclined, you can opt out of the housing offered by the tour and take a hotel/motel room at any of the stops along the tour's route. These accommodations would be at the rider's expense and may open you to receive snide or petty comments from less rested individuals.
HOw much does it cost?
The cost of the tour is $100 if you are riding all three stages, $80 for two, and $60 for one. However, the ride fee is gradually waived as a rider collects more in pledged donations for FPYC. Click here for the Fee/Pledge relationship and please, whatever you do, don't stop reading here. Read the next question too.
Why have a ride fee?
Our tour offers a lot of goodies to the riders. When you consider the list of amenities, you'll understand that in order to keep the expenses of the ride from consuming the pledged donations, we need a little "skin" from the riders. So, the ride fees go a long way in offsetting the tour's overhead - sometimes entirely covering the cost of putting on the ride. The ride fee, or avoidance of the ride fee also provides a great incentive to ask for pledges. We totally support this - the tour's loss is FPYC's gain (x7).
How old to ride?
This is a tough one. We've had some fairly young riders do the tour. Usually this is best accomplished with a tandem bicycle with Dad or Mom in front and the son/daughter on back. If they'll be riding a single, it becomes a parental call - can they actually ride most or all of the day's mileage? Like the situation with the tandem, for very young riders, we ask that a parent or responsible party ride wheel-by-wheel with them. Riders under 18 need to have a parent sign the waiver along with the rider.
If I miss read the question and you're really asking how old is too old to ride, than never mind the aforementioned; I'll simply refer you to discuss this with Gary Nading.
If I miss read the question and you're really asking how old is too old to ride, than never mind the aforementioned; I'll simply refer you to discuss this with Gary Nading.
what kind of bike(s*)?
Most people select a road bike for the tarmac stages. The road stages are [supposed to be] all pavement. The slender tires roll very well and the drop handlebars offer several hand positions which can be nice on a long day. *We have and also enjoy the option of offering an Offroad stage. A mountain bike or gravel bike work well for this. We always offer an all-paved road alternative when we plan an offroad stage.
Having said that, people have ridden all kinds of bikes on the tour. A mountain bike with a set of slicks (tire with no knobbies) can do just fine on road. Why even the nurse's bike from camp [aka White Lightening] was ridden 50 miles on tour as a dare. It's still with us to this day - a ladies one-speed coaster-brake balloon tire cruiser.
The most important "kind of bike" to bring on tour is one that is in good working order, one that fits you well, and one that is familiar to you - especially your hind side. Train on the bike you'll ride. Good, free advice.
Having said that, people have ridden all kinds of bikes on the tour. A mountain bike with a set of slicks (tire with no knobbies) can do just fine on road. Why even the nurse's bike from camp [aka White Lightening] was ridden 50 miles on tour as a dare. It's still with us to this day - a ladies one-speed coaster-brake balloon tire cruiser.
The most important "kind of bike" to bring on tour is one that is in good working order, one that fits you well, and one that is familiar to you - especially your hind side. Train on the bike you'll ride. Good, free advice.
where is togo, anyway?
Togo is a small town in Northern Minnesota. It's about 45 minutes northwest of Hibbing. Perhaps "town" is too strong a word to describe Togo. Think really small village, go a notch or two smaller and that's Togo. That's why the Tour de Togo is very much a don't-take-your-cycling-too-seriously kind of ride.
the old school route?
The first five years we ran the tour up the same route. It's a pretty good route but we have short attention spans and began to pine for some new scenery. So we started branching out - sometimes finding great new trails and roads, sometimes finding disaster. Hasn't worked out perfectly every time, but the change of venues is nice. Also, it's really encouraging when we can involve another congregation in another part of the state.
Then we remember that old familiar route - that trustee standby. We try to go back to The Old School Route every now and again. It starts in Hugo, reaching Moose Lake the first day. From there we make Hibbing on day two, and it's the beloved 50 or so miles from Hibbing to Camp on day three.
Then we remember that old familiar route - that trustee standby. We try to go back to The Old School Route every now and again. It starts in Hugo, reaching Moose Lake the first day. From there we make Hibbing on day two, and it's the beloved 50 or so miles from Hibbing to Camp on day three.
What about my Gear?
We haven't had anyone take up the challenge of doing the tour self-sufficient and why? The tour provides support vehicles and drivers to transport all our personal gear for us. In addition, our support drivers provide encouragement, tour-snacks, energy drinks, and are also well equipped when first-aid is required. And, if your day on the bike goes really bad, put your bike on the rack and hop in. We love our support drivers.
Why do we register?
For a number of reasons:
- It helps us plan for supplies and food.
- It helps us plan for your stay at the stops along the route.
- It helps us plan for tour-ware, jersey sizes and quantities.
- It helps us plan for support vehicle needs and equipment.
Can i invite a friend?
[Hold on! What kind of softball question is this?! One you ask just so you can provided random information?] Umm... Well... Yes.
Recruit a first-time, never-done-the-tour-before "rookie" and we'll reward you handsomely. We really love seeing new riders each year. Now, aren't you glad you, [er] I asked?
Recruit a first-time, never-done-the-tour-before "rookie" and we'll reward you handsomely. We really love seeing new riders each year. Now, aren't you glad you, [er] I asked?
when can i sign up?
That is a somewhat guarded, national secret. A rather competitive race has developed over the years to see who can be first to register. It's not entirely out of the blue - we start sending out Facebook hints, and emails to our Fun Tour Email (FTE) mailing list. Subscribe to be ready when the starting gun sounds. Which it does, somewhere between mid-January and late March, -ish.
when did this start?
We started this in 1992 with nine riders on a 100 mile soaker. It's been going strong ever since. Check out the Tour History page.
How does FPYC Benefit?
The tour has prompted generosity from individual donors in excess of $300,000 over it's 3-decade run. Wow, let that sink in.
Tour funds have gone into improvements starting with the "new" Dining Hall; then for more than three decades, many other remodel projects, roofs, Togo-domes, cabins . But a sizable portion of funds has been used directly to open up camp to a lot of kids and families. To good effect - camp is so important to our youth today. This a blessing that keeps on giving.
One final, unintended benefit: a vast network of Christians spanning many congregations has developed that serves the greater Kingdom beyond the mission of FPYC. Over the years, this has been a consistent source of joy.
Tour funds have gone into improvements starting with the "new" Dining Hall; then for more than three decades, many other remodel projects, roofs, Togo-domes, cabins . But a sizable portion of funds has been used directly to open up camp to a lot of kids and families. To good effect - camp is so important to our youth today. This a blessing that keeps on giving.
One final, unintended benefit: a vast network of Christians spanning many congregations has developed that serves the greater Kingdom beyond the mission of FPYC. Over the years, this has been a consistent source of joy.
got more questions?
Maybe it's a question that others have too. Drop a note on our Contact form and perhaps the question/answer will be added here.