Welcome. We're your premier source for fun places to explore by bicycle or on foot. Offering guides, maps and articles on road and trail riding for the novice to seasoned cyclist - helping you find your #NextBikeAdventure
Don't let inclement weather stop you from biking. Cycling is one of the healthiest forms of exercise and when planned properly it can be a great activity year-round! With spring around the corner, here are some tips for staying safe. Especially at times when Mother Nature seems to throw a wrench in your plans on that next bike adventure.
As tourism opportunities open up again, I wanted to revisit Hutchinson, MN, from their map on pages 46-47 in the MN Bike/Hike Guide. A bike-friendly community with a hometown feel and small-town charm this community is worth checking out. A short drive west of the Twin Cities, it's one of those areas where it's easy to lose track of time as you enjoy all the fresh air. Arriving in town, enjoy pedaling around rather than driving your car when visiting. Enjoy several biking and hiking options around lakes and parks in the area for your recreational pleasure. You will have no trouble creating some new memories while riding your bike in Hutch.
What started as a way to get more people active, the "30 Days of Biking" campaign has grown in popularity and shows added heart-healthy values. For many, biking in April leaves much to be desired unless there are above normal spring conditions. But it doesn't have to be a significant ordeal. With 30 Days of Biking, you sign up with your own rules on how far and where you want to ride each day. It might be as little as a spin around the block, a few laps around the underground parking garage, or spinning at the gym, all depending on the weather. Then as May approaches, you will not only have bragging rights for riding 30 days in April. You will feel a lot better and be at your peak, ready for the summer bike season.
Are you looking for a fun spring outing with endless bird-bike sighting opportunities for the family or a getaway for yourself? Consider planning a trip to the Willmar Lakes Area. Head west out of the Twin Cities, and before you know it, you will be greeted by small-town charm and a sprawling countryside full of birding opportunities. It may seem like just another rural prairie community to the naked eye, but head out on your bike with the binoculars, and the area offers many birding haunts. Along this central migrating flyway, you can spot many species from the Minnesota Prairie Bird List that nest in the area.
With warmer spring temperatures drying out the bike trails, we thought it would be good to repeat a message developed by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). These tips work well for courteous conduct on both shared-use paths and lanes. Keep in mind that procedures for yielding and passing may vary in different locations or with traffic conditions. By following these six ‘Rules of the Trail,’ everyone should have a fun and memorable season.
With spring around the corner, for those that love disc golf or are eager to learn, you will find your next fun-filled game at one of the many courses in the Twin Cities Gateway. All are easy to access from the bike-friendly roads and trails in the area. Throughout the nine cities of the Gateway, there are many different options to find a disc golf course for you to enjoy. So, grab your disk bag and bike over to one of these electrifying courses for a fun round or two.
As more Minnesotans search for fun, eco-friendly transportation options, several communities around the state are updating or developing their bike share infrastructure to make micro-mobility happen. Apple Valley, Bemidji, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud are just a few examples of the towns upgrading their bike-friendly programs. Minneapolis is collaborating with neighboring communities to make the Twin Cities area the perfect place to practice micro-mobility. Especially with the E-bike Challenge and the global initiative of 30-Days of Biking returning.
Hot off the press, a complimentary copy of the 2022 Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide will be available for you to pick up at the E-bike Challenge, in Minneapolis, on April 2 & 3. Just in time to plan your summer adventures, as temperatures begin to warm. As you page through the latest edition of this handy pocket guide, loaded with maps, rediscover the trails and scenic country roads throughout Minnesota. In our thirteenth year of publishing the guide, we have added several more bike-friendly maps of fun destinations to explore in Minnesota. Also, find many bike events and helpful tips, especially you are looking at e-bikes.
You have probably read about electric-assist bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes. With many improvements, the past couple of years, this type of bicycle has grown in popularity around the world. So what exactly is a pedal-assist bicycle? Simply by pedaling, instead of using a twist or thumb throttle, you activate the motor to help turn the drive-train. If you are curious and would like to check them out, stop by a bike shop near you or visit the E-bike Challenge. Either option, here are some questions you may want to get answers for.
With nine communities and the Nation Sports Center located in the Twin Cities Gateway Area you will find many fun events and activities suited for visitors and their families. While visiting there are many ways to enjoy your stay in this north Twin City Metro Area of Minnesota, here a several favorite thing to do.