The 2024 e-bike contest at HaveFunBiking has a winner

Congratulations to Liz Wilkinson, our E-bike contest winner from St. Paul, MN! We are happy to announce that Liz’s e-mail was drawn from our pool of e-database contestants. We enjoyed meeting her at Pedego in Mendota Heights and giving her the keys to the new Avenue E-bike from our 2024 Bike/Hike Guide campaign. Seeing her enthusiasm […]

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Five helpful tips for a memorable fall bike ride

Reflectors are forms of passive visibility, while lights are great for active visibility. Read on to see where each one is helpful and most efficient.

Bike riding in the fall can come with many challenges and, at the same time, be very gratifying. For some, the bicycle season may be winding down. In contrast, many others wish to continue to explore the incredible autumn landscape on their favorite mode of transportation, the bike. Pedaling along the colorful autumn roads or trails is so breathtaking that I will admit that fall bike riding is one of my favorite times to ride. Not too hot, not too cold, and there are fewer insects once the first frost hits. 

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What to wear for fall bike riding

Clothing items to wear for fall bike riding.

Rather than putting a bike in storage early due to the fluctuation in weather, here's the answer you're looking for. To conquer this fall problem, wear layers. While this might seem obvious, the key lies in correctly layering appropriate clothing. If correctly done, it can optimize comfort for the rider. Not only that, but it can also increase the ability of each layer to work to maximize moisture and temperature regulation.

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Fall adventures, biking and hiking Albert Lea

One of my favorite fall Adventures is visiting Albert Lea, Minnesota. It is a one-tank getaway that offers a beautiful bike route around Fountain Lake. Connecting to the Blazing Star State Trail is also easy for more exploring. Another option is to follow one of the routes from the annual bike ride called Rock n' Roll the Lakes. The ride usually happens on the second Saturday in August and offers cyclists of all abilities several fun, scenic route options for that #NextBikeAdventure!

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Bike destinations and peak fall color riding in the Upper Midwest

Fall color riding on a bike friendly road.

With fall color officially peaking in just a month, don't rush to put that bike away too soon! When the tree foliage begins to change, first in Minnesota and then in Iowa, using the HaveFunBiking guides and the state DNR websites, it's easy to expand your recreational riding through October. As our summer bike adventures drift into fond memories, cyclists and hikers alike will have a colorful blaze of options ahead. Picture-perfect adventures with warm days, cool nights, low humidity, few insects, and trees offering brilliant autumn colors.

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Standard hybrid bikes are still popular for casual riding

If e-bikes are out of your price range, or you just want a low-tech ride, let's look at the basics. Trail bikes, fitness bikes, hybrid bikes, and dual-sport bikes all fall into the same category of bicycles. Although these bikes all occupy the same category, they have very different uses. Read on to find out what bike will fit your needs best.

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Added visibility for safety and fun in fall’s limited light

Reflectors are forms of passive visibility, while lights are great for active visibility. Read on to see where each one is helpful and most efficient.

Now that fall is just around the corner and the days are getting shorter, we must consider visibility while staying active amongst the autumn colors. As the leaves change and then drop, we need to focus on passive and active visibility. Things like reflectors and bright colors are passive forms of visibility, while lights and blinkers are great examples of active visibility. Read on to see where each one is helpful and most efficient.

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Have you seen the giant trolls in Detroit Lakes?

If you are a gamer, outdoor enthusiast, or fan of fairy tales, you will appreciate visiting the giant trolls in Detroit Lakes (DL). The storyline here is a slight twist to a version of Alice in Wonderland. Thomas Dambo, the curator, spins a folk tale about one of the giant trolls, Alexa Elixer. Who breaks a curse that binds humans. Hearing the story of the five trolls and the golden rabbit, all made from recycled materials, piqued my curiosity to revisit DL. Marcy joined me on the trip and was primarily excited about the area's bike, hike, and paddling opportunities. But after seeing the first troll, Alexa's story grabbed her attention, and she was hooked. We both found these magnificent troll creatures in a land of 412 lakes inspiring. Especially after seeing the Golden Rabbit, it was like a shot of happiness straight to the brain. Enjoy the adventure!

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Tips and tricks to make riding to school fun, and safe

On this Bike Pic Friday, yeah its Friday celebrating day-26 of 30-days of biking, while riding your bike on a daily commute or to run errands.

All around the country, bike paths are being built, and designated bike lanes are being established. So, riding to school can be an easy and safe option with all the colorful fall weather ahead. Many of these paths are routed from neighborhoods to nearby schools to get more kids energized by riding. To encourage your kids to ride their bikes to school safely. Please look at our helpful tips below, especially if your home is far from a connecting trail or a designated bike lane that leads to school.

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