Press Release
Saturday May 13, 2006
For Immediate Release

Madison, WI – Wisconsin’s two largest cross-state bicycle tours will be under new direction next year.

Bill Hauda, director of Bike Wisconsin and organizer of GRABAAWR (the GReat Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River) and SAGBRAW (Sprocket’s Annual Great Ride Across Wisconsin) has announced he has turned responsibility for the events over to Kathy and Eric Schramm, who operate a Madison-based bicycle touring company called Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd.

The transition will occur on October 2, 2006.

Hauda has organized and directed cycle touring events for well over two decades. The bike tours have hosted thousands of riders in the week-long events that traverse the State of Wisconsin. GRABAAWR takes place in late June and SAGBRAW in early August of each year.

SAGBRAW is the oldest event of its kind in Wisconsin. SAGBRAW‘s first tour, initiated in 1978, traveled across the state from La Crosse to Milwaukee. Many different routes were developed in the years that followed.

GRABAAWR began in 1986 and follows the route of the Wisconsin River from its start in northern Wisconsin to the Mississippi River. More than 2,000 cyclists collectively participate in the two tours each summer.

“I have immensely enjoyed organizing and directing GRABAAWR and SAGBRAW over the years, meeting the thousands of participants. Many of my closest friendships resulted from these events,” Hauda said.

“But I think it is now time for me to step aside, retire, do other things in life, while making sure that GRABAAWR and SAGBRAW, which really belong to the riders, continue forever,” he said. “I looked long and hard at who I thought would accomplish that and am very excited to leave the tours in the capable hands of Kathy and Eric, who are known for their friendly and enthusiastic approach.

“Now I’ll be there as a rider, to make sure that the tours don’t miss a beat!”

Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd., has produced the Bike Northwoods Tour, (formerly known as the Northwoods to Capitol Tour) in Wisconsin for the last 8 years. In addition, they produce several other annual bicycle touring events in the Loire Valley and Provence regions of France.

Kathy Schramm, president of Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd., commented: “My husband Eric and I both share a deep passion, commitment and appreciation for bicycle touring. We have bicycle-toured throughout the world and have shared that experience with thousands of other riders on our tours.”

“It is an honor and a thrill to be able to carry forward the great traditions and legacy of GRABAAWR and SAGBRAW that Bill Hauda has built, and assure that another generation of cyclists will enjoy Wisconsin biking.”

In 2006, GRABAAWR will take place June 24-July 1 and SAGBRAW from July 30-August 5. For more information visit: www.bikewisconsin.org

For information about Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd., visit: www.twobicycles.com

For additional information regarding this release, please contact:

Kathy Schramm
President
Two Bicycles and a Map, Ltd.
608-843-8412
Email: kathy@twobicycles.com

Bill Hauda
Director
Bike Wisconsin
888-575-3640
Email: wisbike@mhtc.net