Author Archives: Russ Lowthian

It’s Friday and time to ride off on another weekend of fun that maybe includes planning some bike trips this coming summer.

Bike Pic March 29, yeah it’s Friday and time to plan that next bike adventure

This bike pic was taken Friday; with warmer weather ahead, it might be time to start planning some bike trips as summer gets closer. In this archived photo, we captured a couple of bikers riding the trails. Maybe it’s time to start planning your next adventure.

So, get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then, plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. To be considered, the photo (s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Bike Pic March 28, still some snow to shred

Spring bike season is in the air this bike pic Thursday. Over next coule day, many trails will still have some snow to shred.

So, adjust to the warmer temps aThis Thursday, spring bike season is in the air, with some snow on the trail to shrednd get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. To be considered, the photo (s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Today's bike pic, we found this biker dude riding the Minnesota River bottom trail near Bloomington, MN. Hope their bikes have studs with the icy conditions?

Bike Pic March 26, a perfect Tuesday on the fat bike trail

This Bike Pic Tuesday is a perfect time to get excited about trail riding. With all the fresh snow and mild temperatures, layer accordingly and have fun.

So, adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. To be considered, the photo (s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

With the days a bit colder and daylight is getting shorter for a few more weeks, there are still many more fun bike events scheduled into December.  Global Fat Bike Day, on December 1st.  With cooler temps drifting south there are still some enjoyable days to ride if you dress in layers.

Bike Pic March 25, fresh snow for your Monday morning ride

A bike pic to remember, with fresh snow on the trail to shred! Ejnoy, it might be your last chance for winter riding fun.

So, adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. To be considered, the photo (s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Its ice cream smiles Sunday around the world and here in the United States. Here at Two Scoops in Anoka, MN this biker couple enjoys a cool treat before continuing their ride around the Twin Cities Gateway (see maps).

Bike Pic March 24, ice cream smiles Sunday with fond memories

It’s ice cream smiles Sunday around the world. We hope with the latest snowstorm here in the upper Midwest, you can get out for a sweet treat. In this bike pic, from last summer, this biker couple found Two Scoops Ice Cream Shop in Anoka. Maybe it is time to start planning that #NextBikeAdventure, as spring and 30 Days of Biking will soon be here.

So, adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Southeast Minnesota has a new bike ride tradition

Join “We Bike Rochester” in southeast Minnesota as they celebrate the incredible trail network that meanders around the city with Med City Meander (MCM). For years, “We Bike Rochester” has been working to bring community engagement around biking and walking. MCM has partnered with the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) to create an event highlighting local businesses, beautiful natural areas, and outdoor fun in Rochester. Register today and save!

One of many art sculptures to enjoy when riding Rochester’s trails

A new annual tradition coming in May to southeast Minnesota

The Med City bicycle tour starts and ends at Cascade Lake Park on Saturday, May 25, in Rochester, MN. The MCM ride features a signature 32-mile relaxed tour of Rochester’s trail system, highlighting what makes the “Med City” a dynamic and vibrant community. From tree-canopied riverside paths to gentle driftless bluffs, this carefully curated route will feature convenient rest stops along the way! The city offers a vast network of trails and bike lanes. Ride the North and South Trails, along Cascade Creek, Bear Creek, and more! Check out some of the trails on the City of Rochester’s Parks and Recreation Map or the “We Bike Rochester” route library.

All MCM routes are on paved trails

The MCM features a signature relaxed tour of Rochester’s trail system, highlighting what makes Med City a dynamic and vibrant community. You can also do as many laps (2.5 miles) around Cascade Lake as you’d like. Registering is unnecessary if you only want to ride this lake loop. Just show up and have fun.

On the MCM 32-mile route, check-in is from 9 to 10 a.m. All riders should be underway by 10:15 a.m. Rest stops and SAG support services end at 2 p.m. Riders will enjoy food and drink at rest stops along the route. Helmets are required. Protect your melon! Safe cycling to all Meander riders!

All bikes are welcome!

Electric assist bikes, as outlined in the Minnesota definition of e-bikes in Class I, II, or III. All bikes with pedals are welcome to join BikeMN rides. On the ride, no charging stations are provided, so make sure your battery is fully charged and the route you select suits your battery’s range. Analog bicycles, adaptive bikes, tandems, recumbents, tricycles, cargo bikes, burley-style kid trailers, and even well-behaved (and leashed) pets are welcome!

You are also encouraged to familiarize yourself with your bicycle before the ride and feel comfortable riding with larger groups.

Where to stay when visiting Rochester

Are you visiting Southeast Minnesota, and exploring more of the fun trail system here?  Check out the lodging suggestions here at Experience Rochester.

About the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN)

BikeMN is working to make Minnesota a state where bicycling is safe, easy, fun, and cool for everyone. The mission of BikeMN is to provide leadership and a unified voice for bicycle education, advocacy, and efforts to make Minnesota more bicycle-friendly so that more people will ride bicycles more often. See more at www.bikemn.org.

About “We Bike Rochester” Bike and Walk Advocates (WBR)

We Bike Rochester is a non-profit 501(c)3 and a chapter of​ the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. WBR  encourages individuals and families to walk and bike as part of a healthy lifestyle. “We Bike Rochester” works with city, county, and state governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations to improve the community’s infrastructure. To add new opportunities for walking and biking. This new ride is new, and profits from the Med City Meander will go to improve signage, outdoor kiosks, mountain bike trail construction, and other improvements in the Rochester area.

The MN Ironman Bike Ride is now the Freebike ride

Since 1967, the Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride has challenged bicyclists around the upper Midwest yearly. Today, Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K’z), the event’s benefactors, keeps everything cyclists love about Minnesota’s longest-running bike ride, fun. This year they are giving it a new name, a new look, and another new location and routes to the ride. The new name, Freebike, represents the future of the ride and your support of Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN (FB4K’z).

The Freebike Ride is family-friendly

Join FB4K’z as the MN Ironman Bike Ride evolves

Mark your calendar and register today for the FB4Ks 2024 ride and post-party as they roll out their new ride event. It will be a celebration worthy of this exciting milestone in our history.

Mark your calendar for June 1st for a day of fun

The ride will start this year at the Minnesota Twins Stadium (Target Field) and finish at Fulton Brewery in Minneapolis. Why the big change to the ride route?

Jay, from FB4K’z, tells us at HaveFunBiking the reasons. “First, the emergence of two great new event partners – The Minnesota Twins Foundation and Fulton Brewing. Second, and perhaps more importantly, riders will enjoy smoother pavement, wider shoulders, and better bike infrastructure to make their time on the bike as enjoyable as possible. Plus, our post-ride block party at the Fulton Taproom means riders will have a few extra hours. Rather than in past years, the rush to finish up the ride and make it back in time to celebrate before the party wraps up.”

All styles of cycles are welcome on the Freebike Ride

Three routes to test yourself and help the kids

On this year’s ride, choose from three epic routes (25, 50, and 100 miles), while supporting the mission of Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN.

Come out and join a community of riders, meet new friends to ride with, and stay for the block party at the end. Your registration fee will go to a great cause: providing free bikes for kids in need. You don’t want to miss it!

Register today – includes a free inaugural t-shirt.

New for this year, entry fees are waived for all riders under 18 on all three ride lengths! Sign up at BikeReg in one of the youth entries categories, have an adult sign the electronic waiver, and join us on the road.

Donate to Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN so more children can ride

It only takes $35 to refurbish a bike and your donation, in any amount, helps bring free bikes to needy kids. In 2023, with the help of all the fabulous FB4K’z volunteers, over 90,000 bikes given away since 2008.

Register for the ride or donate today!

Bike to Minnesota’s Salt Lake Birding Festival

With temperature predicted to return into the 60’s, you will find the 46th Annual Salt Lake Birding Weekend on April 27th. Located in Western Minnesota, you will find this event is bike-friendly, and the perfect way to explore the bird haunts. Consider packing up the bikes and family for a spring birding weekend in the Prairie Waters Region area for fun activities. With many birding haunts on local gravel roads, both fat and gravel-tire bikes work well to quietly approach and view the many species of birds returning to the area.

Bird watchers, looking out at several species of waterfall, on Salt Lake.

Bird watchers, looking out at several species of waterfowl on Salt Lake.

More on the Salt Lake Birding weekend

Volunteers are available to guide birders around Lac qui Parle and southern Big Stone counties over the weekend. Perfect bird viewing spots are around Salt Lake, in Big Stone Refuge, and many other lakes, wetlands, and native prairie areas. The event is free and open to all interested people – plus, no pre-registration is needed.

Each year birders will see many species of waterfowl, including Common Goldeneye and American Black Ducks. Also been spotted in past years. were Snowy and Cattle Egrets and White-faced Ibis. A number of birders located Bald Eagles and Great-horned Owls on nests in the area. Plus, birds usually found later in the year, including Black Tern, Least Flycatcher, and Black and White Warbler. The most unusual find was a Say’s Phoebe, the first time it’s been found by Salt Lake Birders here in Minnesota. Last year, over 90 birders found 143 different species of birds over the weekend. Check out this photo gallery of some of the birds you may see.

A number of species of waterfowl out in front of the viewing. deck, feeding.

A number of species of waterfowl are out in front of the viewing platform, feeding.

It all happens on  Saturday, April 29, with breakfast, at 7 a.m. at the Marietta American Legion. Located one block west of the intersection of County Road 7 and State Highway 40 (11 miles west of Madison).

See the HaveFunBiking.com  Prairie Waters Destination Page

Bike Pic March 23, plan some fond family memories

Before the next storm on Sunday, this bike pic demonstrates another option for a fun family outing. Here memories are made as this young couple, with their young son, enjoys the fresh air and surroundings on the ride.

So, adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Happy Flashback Friday, everyone! In today's pic we venture back to last season.Our Fat bike loving friends can't wait for the winter season.

Bike Pic March 22, Another chance for Fat Bike fun this weekend

This bike pic is Friday, with more snow on its way. We hope your fatty is ready to shred some open trails and you have some memorable fun.

So, adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can 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 we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

As we continue encouraging 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 in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!