The tour of Iowa is called RAGBRAI. It has been organized every year since 1973 by the staff of the Des Moines Register as a side job at first but now I believe they have full time staff just to run the thing! You start somewhere on the west side of Iowa near the Missouri or Big Sioux rivers where you dip your rear tire in the water and then over the course of seven days you ride 400 to 500 miles across Iowa to the Mississippi River where you dip your front tire. It is an entirely pointless exercise except that you will be doing this in the company of 15k to 25k other cycling nuts and every small town you pass through or overnight in throws as much of a party and town fair as they can manage making it a 400 mile long rolling party, town festival, county fair, etc.... It is hard to describe really but most people become quite addicted after trying it once. You can also get day passes if you would like to try it but don't want to commit to the full week. Invalid Link Removed but caution is advised, it is highly addictive.
You would have to check the METRA website for the full details of their bikes on train program. "Rush hour" is defined by both time and direction and the hours may vary from line to line. "Small folding bikes in a cover" are allowed on any train at any time so I don't pay attention to the rules for normal bikes. Basically bikes are not allowed on trains going to Chicago in the morning rush and from Chicago in the evening rush but are generally allowed on other trains. I have a big packet of information on Illinois bike rides this year that I am trying to compile and send out to interested friends. PM me if you would like to be included on the mailing list.
