Author Archives: Russ Lowthian

Bike Pic June 19, hopefully the last soggy day before summer arrives

Hopefully today is the last of this year’s spring rains, as summer is only two days away. Here in this bike pic of the day we wanted to share a couple photos of riders in a past, from the former Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride, taken in Stillwater, MN.

Hopefully today is the last of this year’s spring rains, as summer is only two days away.

What better way to start your riding season fun then to plan your #NextBikeAdventure for 2018. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Bike Pic’ of the Day

Now rolling into our 11th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While highlighting all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more destinations you can have fun at we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger, to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – Also, check out the latest Bike Guide, mobile friendly as we enter into our 9th year of producing print and digital guides.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. Please share all our pic’s with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with a HFB camera ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. Capturing you in one of our next ‘Pic of the Day’ posts.

Have a great week!

Bike Pic June 18, riding into the Monday morning sun on TDA

Leave a reply

Today’s ‘riding into the Monday morning sun’ bike pic captures another beautiful spring weather day before summer begins. Here, bikers are on the annual Tour D’Amico (TDA) bike ride, on the 4th of July, in the western section of the Twin Cities suburbs.

Get into the zone and plan your next bike outing with family and friends at one of the many HaveFunBiking Destinations. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the new HaveFunBiking Guide.

Thanks for viewing our ‘Monday Morning Sun’ Bike Pic

Have a great day and a memorable new year ahead!

Bike Pic June 17, stay’n cool on this hot ice cream smiles Sunday

Leave a reply

As the humidity and heat zap your energy, drink plenty of fluids on your bike ride and stop frequently for a cool treat as these two Bike Pic candidates did. While relaxing in the shade or air conditioned parlor check out the latest Bike/Hike Guides for Iowa and Minnesota for more fun rides coming up in 2018.

Thanks for viewing today’s ‘ice cream’ Sunday Pic Day

Have a great day and a memorable new year!

Tour D’Amico bike ride option, if you are in the Twin Cities over the 4th

2 Replies

If you are in the Twin Cities what a fun way to spend the early part of your 4th of July, then at the Tour D’Amico (TDA) bicycle ride. This year the Hiawatha Bicycling Club (HBC) and D’Amico & Son’s Restaurants invites you to start your Independence Day celebration with a scenic bike ride and a delicious picnic upon your return. Now in its 19th year, select from one of four scenic routes options for a fun day.

The 19th Annual TDA begins in Golden Valley, MN to start the days festivities.

Tour D’Amico bike ride registration

Registration is in the court area outside D’Amico Restaurant in the Golden Valley Commons Shopping Center, just off Highway 55 and Winnetka Avenue. You can pick up your ride packet or sign up with day-of registration and start riding between 8 to 10:30 a.m. on the Fourth.

Hiawatha bike club members greeting riders as they check in at the registration table.

All four routes, through the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, are signed and supported. Maps and Ride with GPS will be available to further assist you on this fun bike tour. Along the way enjoy stopping at several rest stops for refreshments and treats. Then at the end of your ride savor a D’Amico & Sons American/Italian al fresco picnic lunch.

What a fun way to spend the early part of your 4th of July holiday. Leisurely riding the scenic parkways and trails with family and friends.

The Tour D’Amico bike ride starts and ends in Golden Valley

The 44 mile Tour D’Amico map

Choose from the 20, 29, 44 or 62.2 mile scenic route all mapped to give everyone riding a chance to explore some of the Twin Cities newest bike boulevards and trails. Riding through parts of Edina, Hopkins, Plymouth and Wayzata before returning back to Golden Valley.

Along the way, enjoy the Tour D’Amico’s selfie contest

Riders always enjoy the Selfie Contest on TDA.

Riders who enter the selfie contest will have fun and may win a prize.

With helmets on and a cell phone ready to take pictures, riders prepare for TDA, having fun with old and new friends.

Some of the Tour D’ Amico rider’s warming up for the selfie contest.

Riders on the Tour D’Amico route

They have come to ride the Tour D’ Amico from as far away as Burlington, Iowa.

Happy TDA riders ready to get out on the route.

An adventure awaits these two as they leave Golden Valley.

The last two to leave the Golden Valley parking lot, are the Hiawatha Bicycling Club Ride Marshall’s, making sure everyone returns safely.

The tours first rest stops on TDA is a Cub Grocery Store, in Plymouth MN.

Our happy Hiawatha Bicycling Club hosts at the Plymouth Station Rest Stop.

Riders enjoying bananas and other treats before heading back out on the course.

With beautiful weather scheduled, riders will enjoy the low traffic roads, fun trails and scenic landscapes along the way.

This guy knows how to travel and celebrate the 4th of July, will you join him?

Riding the route to the next rest stop, D’ Amico’d in Wayzata.

TDA riders will enjoy some of D’ Amico and Sons tasty salads, fruits and other treats at the second rest stop.

With this photo, you know it’s good… do we need to say more!

Here TDA riders, from all four routes meander together around Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline to Hopkins for another tasty rest stop.

More happy riders ready to check out the rest stop at the Hopkins Depot.

It looks like this rest stop was as good as the last two!

Time to head back for a Tour D’Amico picnic

Here, this TDA rider makes her way back to D’ Amico’s in Golden Valley for the delicious picnic.

Still smiling, on the last section of the 2017 Tour D’ Amico, riders here make their way back to Golden Valley for a picnic lunch in the court area, next to the fountain.

With so many choices, the dessert bars are sinfully delicious.

Join in on the fun sharing your TDA experience with old and new friends over a D’Amico’s picnic lunch.

Everyone always enjoys the fine food and refreshments D’ Amico’s served after the ride – Sign up today!

About Hiawatha Bicycling Club

Join the club at Hiawathbike.org to learn more about all the fun rides they lead, like the Tour D’ Amico.

Proceeds from the Tour D’Amico over the last few year’s have benefited the Children’s Lighthouse, trail maintenance projects in the Twin Cities and the bike education program of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

Bike Pic June 16, stay cool and hydrated today as you have fun biking!

Leave a reply

Its still spring and it’s going to be hot, so stay cool. Here in this Bike Pic, riders on RAGBRAI 2017 demonstrated ways to have fun and stay cool when out riding in the hot, humid sun.

Here this SSaturday, in the U.S.. plan your next outing with family and friends at a HaveFunBiking Destinations. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Bike/Hike Guide from HaveFunBiking.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Bike Pic’ of the day

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 15, yeah its Friday and this dude is ready to ride

Leave a reply

Here is today’s bike pic on this beautiful Friday, where we caught this biker dude getting a head start on the weekend.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Friday’ Pic of the Day

Have a great week!

The Blaine festival and farmers market are two fun events to bike too

Leave a reply

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com

If you are in the Twin Cities Gateway, north of Minneapolis and looking for fun this summer? Blaine offers several events that includes a festival, this weekend, that you may want to consider jumping on your bike and riding too.

The Blaine Festival is family fun!

You will find the parade and a whole lot more to bike too.

Fun for the whole family, the 2018 Blaine Festival (June 22 -23) is a community event now celebrating its 49^th year. The fun kicks off on Friday at Noon, with a medallion hunt and festivities that runs through Sunday, at 6 p.m. for a weekend of fun.

Pig races and a “Not So” ugly contest are just a few of the fun events

Events throughout the three-days includes: carnival rides, crafter/business fair, civic tent, petting zoo, magician, recreational activities, food and live bands. Along with the traditional parade scheduled at Noon on Saturday event other highlights include: pig races, a pedal tractor pull, an Oreo stacking contest and the “Not So” Ugly do contest!

Join the fun, the festival is located in Blaine at Aquatore Park (northwest of Highway 65 & 10). With free admission and parking there is a wide variety of entertainment with something for everyone.

The Blaine Farmers Market

The Blaine Farmers Market is easy to get to by bike.

One of the many joys of summer is to savor the fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden. However, not all of us have the time and space to raise our favorite produce. That’s where farmers’ markets come into play and the Twin Cities Gateway (TCG)has you covered. Along with the Blaine Market, TCG offers six other farmers’ markets, on different days and locations to choose from. A great place to pick up the couple things you want for a healthy snack on that next bike outing.

In Blaine, each Wednesday in the city hall parking lot stop in at the farmers’ market, throughout the summer.

Visit the Blaine Market, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday’s at: 10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55449

Don’t forget two-wheel racing in Blaine

Every Thursday and some weekend offers you the option to participate or watch racing at the National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine – see more here!

Have Fun!

Bike Pic June 14, schools out and summer memories are being made

Leave a reply

Here is today’s bike pic on this beautiful Thursday. Now that school is out and summer is only a week away plan your #nextbikeadventure and make some memories.

What better way to start your riding season fun then to plan your next adventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Bike Pic’ of the Day

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]eFunBiking.com. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger, to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

Have a great week!

Complimentary Iowa and Minnesota printed bike guides are still available

Leave a reply

Thanks to AAA The Auto Club Group, printed copies of both the Iowa and Minnesota Bike Guides are still available. With summer just a few days away stop by a AAA offices near you. Just look at the maps in our digital guide editions for a map of a AAA office location near you.

Where to pick up one of the bike guides

In the lower left corner of each Iowa and Minnesota map you will find the address of a participating AAA office to pick up a copy of the guide. Just stop in and ask for a complimentary of the guide and learn more about AAA’s Bike Benefit Program. A program that includes roadside service for your bike – It’s like having a SAG in your back pocket.

Help us by sharing your comments on this year’s Bike/Hike Guides

As we wrap up our 9th year of printing these handy, pocket size booklets we would like to hear, what you like about the guide and how we can make it better. So we can continue to add more links and helpful information to assist you in finding your next adventure. Please page through the Guide’s events, maps and helpful tips sections and give us your comments at: [email protected] – Thanks!

Check out our ‘Pic of the Day’

Have you seen our daily feature picture at HaveFunBiking.com, on Facebook, or at #nextbikeadventure on Instagram? If not, moving into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media, check them out, like us and or follow us. If you have a good photo with a caption, send it our way.

Along with a good caption, photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide and deep or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

So check out the guides, have fun and keep riding!

Bike Pic June 13, Wheelie Wednesday may get you into your sweet spot

Leave a reply

Remember, take a chance! If life were a mountain bike trail and Wheelie Wednesday helped smooth out your day-to-day ride or aided you in dropping into your sweet spot, why not review the following tips to make your week an adrenaline high?

Get into the zone and plan your next bike outing with family and friends at one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing our ‘Wheelie Wednesday’ pic of the day!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

So smooth out your day-to-day ride with Wheelie Wednesday, and:

Have a great day!