Only A Few Spots Remain On The MN River History Bike/Tour, August 2-5

Join fellow cyclists this summer and picture yourself pedaling through communities built on a legacy of Native American culture and fur trapping. Listen to historians tell the stories of the river communities you ride your bike through including Montevideo, Granite Falls, Redwood Falls, New Ulm, Mankato, and St. Peter. As this year marks 150 years since the historic US Dakota Conflict of 1862 that took place precisely where you will travel, ride into history along the Minnesota River Valley.

This HaveFun Tours bus/bike ride begins Thursday, August 2nd, with a motorcoach ride out to Montevideo, to start the ride. After riding for three days along the Minnesota River Valley return to St Peter on Sunday, August 5th, 2012.

From a bicycle seat, meander through the scenic Minnesota River Valley with an itinerary that allows you to see it in a whole new way!

Imagine pedaling backwards 150 years in Minnesota history and learn more about the heritage that formed what is now a rich agricultural center. While travel on the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway you will be guaranteed some of the best views from your bike!

Tentative schedule Includes:
• Kickoff - Debra Lee Fader, Mayor of Montevideo, Patrick Moore of the Clean Up the River Environment (CURE), June Lynne, Director of the Chippewa County Historical Society and Curtis Dahlin, historian and author of The Dakota Uprising: A Pictorial History and other works
• At the WoodLake Battlefield - David Craigmile, Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association
• Dinner in Granite Falls with Kevin Jensvold, Chairman, Upper Sioux Community Board of Trustees, along with Dakota Drummer, Singers, and Performers
• Presentation by Terri Dinesen, Park Manager, Upper Sioux Agency State Park
• Meet the Mayor in Redwood Falls - Mayor Gary Revier
• Presentation by Anthony Morse, Park Ranger, Lower Sioux Agency
• Fort Ridgely Tour, with John LaBatte, descendant of a Dakota warrior, and member of the descendants advisory panel of the Minnesota Historical Society
• New Ulm Battlefield Tour, with Terry Sveine, Director of the New Ulm CVB and George Glotzbock, New Ulm historian
• Followed by a tour with Ben Leonard, Director of the Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter.

This all-inclusive trek begins in St. Peter where you will board a luxury motor coach, while your bike is safely packed in our truck for a trip to Montevideo, in western Minnesota. Here you will be welcomed by the city and the mayor with a BBQ lunch and the first of many historical and perspectives. With a short 15 mile pedal to Granite Falls you will be enjoy dinner entertained by the Upper Sioux drummers, singers, and entertainers.

Afterwards rest your head in a comfortable hotel room, eat your way from town to town, and complete your ride on Sunday afternoon enjoying Mankato’s 15th Annual Rib-fest, before returning back to St Peter.

The cost for riding this four-day, three-night ride is: $487/person or $607 for single room upgrade. Registration closes with 150 riders or July 1st whichever comes first.  Register at: www.signmeup.com/81836.

Questions? Email Kerri@havefunbiking.com

You will never see Minnesota the same way again!

Article Published: 06-27-2012