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For many of us, being active and enjoying fun winter activities (fat biking, hiking, skiing, etc.) is what memories are made of while contributing to good health. Despite the lifestyle changes of new technology and evolving viruses, there’s still plenty of room to participate in some type of outdoor fun. Seeking out healthy activities may be even more critical now as winter approaches. Doing something you enjoy can distract you from problems and help you cope with all the new life challenges that cause stress.
Page through our latest Bike/Hike Guide with many maps of Minnesota destinations offering fun adventures. Then, layer up your dress attire for the temperature swings ahead and head out. If you haven’t already, you will soon discover that outdoor pursuits help lower the risk of getting sick than indoor workouts.
It’s a perfect time of the year to jump on a fatty and hit a Minnesota trail.
Why choose outdoor adventures?
When outside, the fresh air constantly moves, helping you digest food more effectively, improve blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen the immune system, and reduce obesity rates. Enjoying Minnesota’s fun outdoor activities offers other benefits, too. As you may have discovered from your time outdoors this summer, being outside also provides an emotional boost that will help you feel less tense, stressed, angry, or depressed.
Winter activities may include biking along the Minnesota River bottoms near Bloomington, MN.
Enjoy more with low-risk Minnesota winter adventures
Here in Minnesota, a winter wonderland pursuits, consider moving with these low-risk outdoor activities to stay healthy and safe. Again, use the current Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, with all the maps, to find a place to enjoy the following hobbies.
Fat Biking
Nature walks
Snowshoeing
Downhill and/or cross-country skiing
Ice skating
Ice fishing and hunting
Fitness classes, held outside to allow extra distancing
And exploring the snow-covered trails on an ATV.
Winter activities can also include stopping to make a snowman.
Remember, seeking healthy outdoor activities may be even more critical as winter approaches. Doing something you enjoy can distract you from problems and help you cope with all the new life challenges that cause stress.
Are you ready? The worldwide Global Fat-Bike Day helps to bring outdoor enthusiasts together to ride and make new friends. This year, on Saturday, December 7th, several rides will be held here in the upper Midwest to honor this event’s mission.
Global Fat-Bike Day fun in the upper Midwest
Here in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, find several fat bike events on the first Saturday in December, with all types of themes. From the Ugly Sweater Ride in Chaplin to Plymouth’s Holiday Ride in Osage or Rollin a’ Fatty in Bloomington, these are some of the scheduled events in Minnesota. In Wisconsin, ride from UW Wanderoos in Amery or the CAMDA Ride, which starts at Hatchery Creek, near Hayward. Or, in South Dakota, the Big Sioux Bikepacking Brigade is hosting a casual ride on the scenic gravel roads around Canton.
See all the fat bike event details and links for the upper Midwest posted at the MN Trail Navigator.
CAMBA’s Hatchery Creek Trailhead – Dec. 7
Don’t forget your camera because part of the Global Fat-Bike Day celebration will include sharing your experience through photos and video! Use the hashtag #GFBD2024.
Cruising the trails along the Minnesota River near Bloomington, MN.
Enjoy riding your fatty, and make some fun off-road memories!
Electric assist bikes (e-bikes) are fun to ride in cold, snowy, or wet weather. However, just like a standard bicycle, you may need some accessories (like rain gear or studded tires for winter) for comfort and safety. Most e-bike models also provide a high-quality, water-resistant casing to protect your battery when wet and cold. You can ride an e-bike at any temperature, but the colder it is, the more it may impact the battery’s range. So bring your battery (or the entire bike + battery) inside if you’re not riding it, if possible.
Riding an e-bike in cold weather
STAYING DRY WHILE RIDING IN THE RAIN
An electric bike’s system, including the motor, battery pack, display, and connection points, is usually designed with closed units to accommodate wet weather. This protects the electrical system from getting wet while riding in the rain. The critical distinction here is that e-bikes are water-resistant but not waterproof. So, for this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid heavily flooded roads, streams, and deep puddles that could submerge your bike’s electrical components.
As electric bikes might have different limitations, you may need to refer to your owner’s manual or check with your manufacturer for the IP rating of your bike first. If you live in an area that experiences frequent wet weather, you’ll want to make water resistance a top factor in your purchase decision.
Riding an e-bike with ice and snow conditions
Riding an e-bike fatty in inclement weather is fun
Yes, you can ride your e-bike in the winter. However, riding in extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions will require more maintenance, protection, and care. With advancements in tire technology and clothing warmth, there are fewer reasons not to take your electric bicycle out and enjoy the winter season. All e-bikes can handle winter riding, but the wider the tire, the better, especially if studs can be installed on your bike’s tire for icy conditions. That said, you must follow the key points below to ensure you enjoy riding your bike during the winter.
Use the correct type of tire
Like a regular bike you might use for winter riding, the tires that come with your electric bicycle are great for most dry pavement riding, but not winter. Maneuvering a bike (with or without a motor) requires a tire that handles ice and snow. Then add studs to those winter tires, transforming your e-bike into a fantastic winter vehicle! Great for riding on plowed roads and for hard-packed or icy conditions. If you are looking at a fat tire e-bike for winter riding, ask the dealer if studs can be added to the tires on that bike.
Battery Care
A center post battery mount is common for many e-bike models
The general rule with a 36 volt, 10.5Ah (ampere-hours) battery should get 20 to 40 miles per charge with the average weight of rider + gear & cargo less than 200 pounds in ideal weather conditions. You’ll get fewer miles the higher the assist level you use. You might get 60 miles or more on a single charge on the low assist. To maximize the life of your e-bike battery, try to charge it when it’s near empty. Then, ride your e-bike a lot and charge it often.
Before charging, make sure your battery is in a room above freezing. Otherwise, you could harm the cells. It is no problem to ride the bike in below-freezing conditions (it doesn’t damage the battery). However, make sure you let the battery warm up slowly before charging. When riding an e-bike in very cold weather, you will notice a drop in power and range. Don’t worry; this is normal when riding an e-bike in the winter.
Knowing your e-bike’s battery life and performance in cold weather is good. If you intend to commute to work or use the bike for a backcountry experience, test it out to determine the change in range with colder temps. And the steps you would take to ensure continued performance. For instance, purchasing a neoprene e-bike battery cover might be an option. Also, if you stop midway on your journey to warm up, bring the battery inside whenever you aren’t riding. This will keep the battery’s temperature up and give you extra power!
Avoid riding through slush
Riding your electric bike through snow is not only possible, but it’s also super fun! (See the Pedego video below for proof) What’s not fun is riding through slush. The watery, salty snow splashes up your gears and can seep into hard-to-reach areas, causing rust to form. If you must ride through slush, wipe the entire bike down, lube the chain, etc. Afterward, try to store your bike in a warm, dry location.
Don’t let winter pass you by; prepare your e-bike for Nordic fun!
For anyone unfamiliar with the bold north, biking, skiing, or walking on water is a fun outdoor winter activity when incorporating a few ice safety tips into the adventure. Mother Nature’s temperature swings in the upper Midwest will determine when to venture onto a frozen body of water. Usually, from mid to late December through February, venturing across a body of frozen water is a regular occurrence. This year, please take note. With above-normal temps so far this year, ice may be slow to form. Delaying many of the fun activities here on many of the lakes and streams. So, check the ice depth before you venture out!
Along with the proper clothing for a comfortable ride in the winter, here are some ice safety tips to ensure a safe time moving across a frozen lake or stream.
Ice safety tips – First and foremost, know the thickness of the ice.
There’s no way around it. While many visual cues can help you determine if it is safe to roll out or step onto the ice, the most reliable way is to measure the ice thickness.
You can use a few tools to measure the ice. An ice chisel can be stabbed into the ice until it penetrates the water. A cordless drill with a wood bit also works well to auger a hole to measure the thickness.
Ice safety tips – What is a safe thickness?
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources states on ice thickness, any ice thickness less than four inches should be avoided at all costs. At four inches, the ice can support bicycling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and walking. At five to seven inches, the ice can sustain the weight of a snowmobile or an ATV, while eight to twelve inches are needed to support a small car’s weight. While these guidelines are generic, and ice conditions vary, the current chart is for newly formed ice. Make sure to read more on thickness before going out there.
Measuring in one place is not enough. Measure several areas (approximately 150 feet apart) to ensure the entire area is safe. Ice thickness can vary, even over a relatively small area—especially over moving water.
Ice safety tips – Assess the area visually.
A visual assessment can help supplement your measurement and support if you rely on someone else’s measurements.
With safe ice, it’s a perfect time to jump on a fatty and ride across a stream.
Watch for signs of danger like cracks, seams, pressure ridges, dark areas (where the ice is thinner), and slushy areas—even slight slush signals that the icing isn’t freezing at the bottom. This tells you that the ice is progressively getting weaker.
Ice safety tips – The color of the ice
Check out the color of the ice. Clear, blue, or green ice thicker than four inches should be enough to bike on. White ice typically has air or snow trapped inside, weakening it. Dark ice might indicate that the ice is relatively thin—probably not thick enough for biking, hiking, or skiing.
The Fresher, the better!
New ice is typically stronger than older ice. The bond between ice crystals decays even in freezing temperatures as time passes. When the spring thaw begins, the ice weakens considerably. Heading out for one last ride across the ice can be tempting, but it is safest to say no. Even if ice fits the measurement criteria, it can still be hazardous.
More suggestions when venturing out on “safe ice.”
Along with knowledge of the thickness of the ice and a visual assessment, here are four more suggestions to help minimize the risk when biking on the ice:
Carry ice picks and a rope
Have a cell phone or personal locator beacon along
Don’t go out alone; tell someone about trip plans and expected return time.
Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
Know the proper rescue techniques.
Anyone venturing on the ice outdoors should know the basic ice rescue technique. Kids should also be familiar with the protocol, so educate them beforehand. If someone in your party falls through the ice, the first thing to do is call 911. Anyone still on the ice should slowly lie down, distributing their weight over a larger area.
Reach the person in the water using a long-reaching assist— maybe a large stick, a rope, or a ladder if available. The person in the water should be instructed to kick and slowly ease their way out of the water. Once they reach the surface, they should crawl or roll away from the broken ice area.
Anyone on the ice, including the victim and rescuer, should avoid standing up until they are far away from the broken ice. As soon as possible, get the victim into dry clothing and treat them for hypothermia.
Hopefully, we can have some fun soon
Enjoy the ice safety tips for a safer true North experience!
No matter how brave you are, sometimes weather conditions keep you from conquering those trails with indoor biking. This is especially true as the mercury drops and turns our beloved Earth into something reminiscent of the Russian front. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to have fun with indoor biking. Maybe with a spin class?
Indoor Biking with a Spin Class
Most gyms offer spin classes. These classes use a stationary bicycle, music, and instructors to guide a class through a one-hour workout. Spin classes are a source of indoor biking, and they get you out of the house.
There are, however, a few downsides with spin classes to keep in mind. One issue is that a spin bike won’t fit the same as your bike. Many riders will install their saddle and pedals on a spin bike before each class to fix this. The other potential problem is that the classes are not tailored to your personal goals. The classes are usually high-tempo, high-effort workouts that might not fit with your training plan. Some riders find they like the community of spin class but not the specific ride, so they opt in or out of certain portions of the workout.
Indoor biking with a spin class
Using an Indoor Trainer
Riding an indoor trainer has become much more popular for riders of all ability levels. It’s the kind of indoor biking where you can use your bike. A trainer is a device that holds your bicycle upright, creates resistance when pedaling, and simulates an outdoor ride while riding your bike indoors. Using an Indoor trainer, you can ride from the comfort of your home or in a group setting (most bike shops have trainer nights through the winter).
Indoor Trainer Group Ride
There is usually a leader when riding with a group, but you can still have fun if riding alone. It’s best to start with a plan. If you intend to get on the trainer and ride for 60 minutes while watching TV, I hate to break it to you, but that quickly gets boring. So, how do you keep the ride fun?
First, you must create intrigue because you cannot rely on terrain to supply stimulus. There are no hills, descents, turns, or beautiful vistas to keep you interested. But you can use your trainer to mimic the efforts of a great outdoor ride.
How to Build a Ride
For example, describe a typical outdoor ride and then create a workout to mimic that ride on the trainer. The ride starts by carving through a neighborhood on our way to open roads. Snaking through our neighborhood would require some turning, braking, and acceleration (a great natural warm-up), so on the trainer, you would do something like:
Pedal in an easy gear for one minute
Then, for the two subsequent minutes, increase your pedaling speed (called Cadence)
Follow that by slowing that cadence down over the next two minutes.
Repeating that two or three times is a great way to get your legs moving
The next obstacle on our imaginary ride is a hilly section of the road. To mimic hilly terrain when riding your bike indoors, try the following:
Shift into a higher gear and pedal at 80% of your maximum effort for two or three minutes
Followed by one or two minutes of soft pedaling (hard effort for the climb, followed by no effort on the descent).
Repeat this type of interval in groups of three.
Finally, our ride concludes with city line sprints (earn bragging rights over your friends). To simulate this action, try the following:
Shift your bicycle into a difficult gear
Ride at 80% effort for one minute
Then, sprint all out (max effort) for fifteen to twenty seconds.
Follow each effort with some soft-pedaling.
Workout Example
A written cue sheet of this ride would look like the following:
5-Min. warm-up
1-Min. 50% effort low cadence 1-Min. 50% effort medium cadence 1-1-Min. 50% effort High cadence 1-1-Min. 50% effort Medium cadence 1-Min. 50% effort low cadence Repeat 3x
A ride like the one above takes one hour, keeps you moving, and only involves hard effort for ¼ of the ride. By switching up different intervals of effort and rest, indoor biking can be beneficial and fun.
Trainer Pitfalls
Time on the trainer can be very beneficial to your riding. However, it can also be tough on you if done improperly. When riding outdoors, you have natural portions of rest while coasting or descending, but on an indoor trainer, you cannot coast. Riders on a trainer need to occasionally spin effortlessly so as not to overdo it.
A good rule of thumb is to balance high effort with rest at a three-to-one ratio. If a ride calls for ten minutes at 80% effort, include 30 minutes of low-effort work.
Too Tired!
Low Effort, High Benefit Drills
How do you keep the ride enjoyable without effort? Try including drills like one-leg drills, high cadence drills, spin-up drills, top-only drills, and toe touch drills. These require minimal effort but build new skills.
Practicing one-leg drills
One-leg drills – As they sound, these drills are done with one leg (see above). Clip your right leg out of your pedal, hang it away from the bike, and pedal with only your left leg. Try to get the pedal stroke as smooth as possible without any noise or bumps.
Spin-up drill – With your bike in an easy gear, spin the pedals as quickly as possible. Keep increasing your cadence until your upper body bounces, then taper back to an average speed. Repeat, each time, trying to get faster while keeping your upper body still (this whole drill takes about 30 seconds per spin-up).
High-cadence drill – With your bike in an easy gear, spin at the fastest cadence you can without your upper body bouncing. Hold that cadence for one or two minutes.
Top-only drills: Try pedaling using light effort and keeping the top of your foot in contact with the top of your shoe throughout the pedal rotation. You won’t actually be pressing down on the pedal during this drill but instead pulling up.
Toe touch drills – While pedaling, attempt to touch your toe to the front of your shoe at the top of each pedal stroke. While this isn’t possible, it will help teach your body to begin the pedal stroke earlier in its rotation.
With some research and experimentation, indoor biking can keep you satisfied while waiting for the weather to improve.
About John Brown, the author
John operates Browns Bicycle in Richfield, MN, as a lifelong cyclist and consummate tinkerer. It all started for him in grade school when the bike bug bit, and the fever still existed. Now, and over the past thirty years, he has worked at every level in the bike industry. He started, like most, sweeping floors and learning anything he could about bikes. He eventually graduated as a service manager and then a store manager. Through the years, he has spent extensive time designing and sourcing bicycles and parts for some of the largest bike companies in the world. All the while focusing on helping as many people as possible enjoy the love of riding a bike. In that pursuit, he has taught classes (both scheduled and impromptu) on all things bikes. John also believes in helping every rider attain their optimal fit on the bike of their dreams. Please feel free to stop in any time and talk about bikes, fit, and parts or share your latest ride. You can also see more of John’s tricks and tips on the Brown Bicycle Facebook Page.
Has the idea of riding an electric assist bike, or e-bike, piqued your interest? If so, and you are looking to extend your range of bicycle travel, you are in luck. E-bike technology has improved, and many e-bike brands now offer increased range or distance you can travel. Some of the newer brands and models can travel more miles on a single charge, making this mode of transportation more practical for long commutes and extended rides. Plus, new battery technologies can significantly reduce the charging time, allowing riders to quickly return to the road or trail.
So first, what is a pedal-assist electric bike?
Pedego’s Ridge Runner is a great e-commuter that offers off-road options.
An e-bike has a battery and motor incorporated into a pedal-assist system, allowing bicyclists to ride farther more easily. With the class 1 and 3 models, the rider must pedal to engage the motor, enabling a more leisurely ride. A class 2 model comes with the addition of a throttle. If you’re worried about the legal stuff, remember that in the U.S., a motor that doesn’t exceed 750W will do just fine.
Now, with the latest technology, some cyclists can reach 60 to 90 miles on a single charge, making it easier to use the bike for commuting, recreational riding, hauling cargo, and shuttling the family.
Visit e-bike dealers and take a test ride.
After scouting all your options online and narrowing down your e-bike selection, visit the local bike shops that carry the brands you are interested in. Contact them to arrange a time to take a demo bike out for a spin. Some stores rent demo bikes and will apply the rental fee to the purchase if you want a lengthier test ride.
What you will discover
The best electric bikes will help you get around quickly and safely with a zippy electric power boost to complement your pedaling. What was once a tiny hobby has ballooned into a massive market with many different electric bike options, features, and more.
They’re certainly pricier than your average pedal bike but perfect if you want to commute without spending money on a car or public transport. They’re certainly an investment that could pay off in the long run, both in terms of your health and your wallet.
With determination, this bike pic Tuesday cyclist demonstrates his skill in successfully climbing a log ramp in Lebanon Hills Park, near Lakeville, MN.
So, adjust to the warmer temps, and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors for that #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
As we roll into our 21st year as an outdoor 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 our 15th annual mobile-friendly MN Bike Guide, a handy booklet full of maps of fun places to bike and hike.
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 a colorful fall of fond memories!
Living in the upper Midwest with four unique seasons, fat biking can be a fun way to pass the time in the winter while getting a good cardio workout. Many studies state the benefits of staying active in cold weather, and riding a fat bike will do that. As an avid cross-country skier, with climate change affecting us all, the fat bike is a great alternative to stay active throughout the winter when the ski trail turns into a bobsled run.
Don’t get me wrong; I have not nailed my skis to the wall as decoration. I still loved the thrill of kick-an-gliding through the rolling forests and open fields. However, climate change is a growing concern, making the trails icy and sometimes baron of snow for skiing. We have seen more freeze/thaw temperature swings in the last several years, making x-c skiing occasionally hazardous. If you are like me and want to stay active when the trails are icy or sparse of snow, the fat bike is a great option. Maybe with the addition of studs on the tires. Here are some places to ride the trail.
Fat biking trails are waiting for you in northern Minnesota
Please note: check before you head out. Not all federal, state, county, township, or city trails are open to fat biking, but the list is growing.
Here, north to south, are some Minnesota trails waiting for you as we enter the winter season:
With plenty of layers and a mask, this biker dude is having fun in the True North.
Split Rock State Park Trails, northeast of Two Harbors. Here on the shore of Lake Superior, ride 8.7 miles of groomed trails, perfect for fat biking and skate skiing. Currently, access is only allowed near Beaver Bay.
Giants Ridge Trail, east of Biwabic, is a resort on the edge of the towering Superior National Forest that offers several fat tire biking adventures. Ride their 37-mile-plus Nordic trail system or experience downhill fat biking via their high-speed chairlift!
Redhead Trails is at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. This new park offers nearly 25 miles of hand-crafted mountain bike trails for fat bikers of all skill levels. Here, you will find an oasis of fun riding through the diverse terrain around the old open mine pits.
Suomi Hills Trail in the Chippewa National Forest is north of Grand Rapids. Here, you will find a 19-mile remote and stunning trail system in a semi-primitive, non-motorized area. While in the area, you will also find several other primitive trails to explore in this National Forest.
Lester River Trail, in Duluth. Fat bikers will find this 12.5-mile trail one of the most beginner-friendly trails in the area (especially riding back down). Other trails in the Duluth area are rated intermediate to advance for the steady incline/descent and rocks/roots.
Winter fun, as this fat biker takes a break for a photo op.
Jay Cooke State Park Trail in Carlton. Nestled along the St. Louis River, the state park groomed 5.4 miles of fat biking trails allow you to ride through and possibly spot white-tailed deer as they winter in this area. The trail here is intermediate, with uneven terrain and small hills.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Crosby/Ironton. A rugged park of old open mining pits, now lakes, with stockpiles of discarded quarried rocks scattered to create over 50 miles of groomed fat biking trails. Here, you will find a few loops for beginners. Most trails here are designated for intermediate to advanced skill sets.
Detroit Mountain, in Detroit Lakes. The bike park here features approximately 4 miles of downhill flow trails that make the most of the natural landscape in the park. The trails mimic a rollercoaster, with fast and flowing sections that take you up and down the mountainside.
Fat Biking Trails in the Twin Cities
Come November, it’s a perfect time of the year to jump on a fatty. Anoka Nature Preserve, north of Anoka. The nature preserve here is nestled along the bank of the Rum River with over five miles of double-wide trails. It is the perfect trail system for the novice fat-tire biker looking to enjoy nature in the winter and preserves gently rolling terrain.
Elm Creek Trail, west of Chaplin, in the north metro of the Twin Cities, is a 4,900-acre park featuring amenities for many outdoor activities. These include trails for fat biking, built to accommodate riders of all skill levels. So grab your fat for 10 miles of fast-flowing groomed trails of winter fun.
He was commuting to work on his fatty along the frozen lake channels in Minneapolis.
Gateway State Trail, in North St. Paul. A favorite for a quick getaway from the city, this section of the popular trail offers almost 12 miles of riding for fat bikers in the winter. From Cayuga Street to Jamaica Avenue, the plowed trail is perfect for beginners taking you out to the open fields of Ramsey and Washington County.
Theodore Wirth Park Trail, in North Minneapolis. Winter fat bike enthusiasts flock to the woods of this north metro park for seven miles of tightly twisting singletrack and a skyline-view pump track.
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, in Salvage. This peaceful wilderness park in northeast Scott County has its wild side. Another challenging trail intertwined in glacial ridges, hilly terrain, and heavy forests. Riding a fat bike here in the winter is a fantastic off-road experience.
Minnesota River Valley Trail, in Bloomington. Affectionately known as the “River Bottoms,” the trails attract a variety of nature lovers, bird-watchers, hikers, and mountain bikers throughout the year. The River Bottoms is a fat bike paradise perfect for beginners, intermediates, and those looking to race in the winter.
As winter temperatures drop, it’s time to dig out the layers and have some fun!
Fort Snelling State Park, in south Minneapolis. Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, where the Minnesota River meets the Mississippi River, this park offers 6-miles of groomed for fat biking. Most of this state park is on the Minnesota River’s floodplain. It is easy to ride the trail along the river’s braided channels and see white-tailed deer, foxes, and wild turkeys.
Lebanon Hills Reginal Park, in Eagan. With nearly 12 miles of a single-use, one-way trail system, winter fat bikers are discovering the park’s popularity as one of the go-to trails in the metro area. The trails feature riding for all skill levels and world-class facilities to enhance your riding experience.
Central Minnesota mountain bike trails to shred
Alexandria
Lake Brophy County Park: 6.5 miles
This Central Minnesota gravity flow mountain bike trail system is perfect for beginners and experts, too, and offers 200 feet of elevation change. The top overlooks the entire park and the city of Alexandria and has a prairie landscape. Here, find dock jumps, drops, and a rock garden on the more technical, expert sections on the west side of the trail system. The eastern part is a cross-country ride with long straightaways and sweeping turns. There are bathrooms, beach access, and a playground. The paved Central Lakes Trail skirts the park and provides bike access. Map
Kensington Rune Stone Park: 7.5 miles
Beginner to intermediate, dedicated singletrack. The park has a visitor center with bathrooms. Gromed for fat bikes in the winter. More Info
Cuyuna – Crosby, Deerwood, Ironton
Cuyuna Lakes State Recreation Area: about 70 miles
An IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, the Cuyuna one-way singletrack trails are marked from easy/beginner to hardcore/expert. Along the trails, enjoy stunning views from the top of overburdened piles left from the area’s mining days. Deep mine lakes offer refreshing dip after a hard ride. At the trailhead, dive in or take the kayak out for a paddle. The town of Cuyuna also has a pump track. Lots of trails are groomed for fat biking in the winter, including the paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail, which runs through the heart of the system and connects many of the mountain bike trail clusters. Look for the new 7.5-mile adaptive trail that accommodates hand cycles. Map
Fergus Falls
Ferber Park: 2.2 miles
A mix of rolling hills and flat terrain in wooded and grassy areas with less difficult to more challenging trails. Trails were developed by volunteers with help from the City of Fergus Falls and continue to be improved. Look for additional trails in the future. Map
Glenwood
Barsness Park: 7 miles
The park offers a single-track system for beginners and those with intermediate skills. Two challenging climbs take you to panoramic views of Lake Minnewaska near downtown Glenwood. This system packs many rollers, berms, and fun flowy sections, including rock obstacles. Map
Hutchinson
Stahl’s Lake Park: 3 miles
Moderate terrain with some small hills, a balance beam, and seesaw. Map
McGregor
Savanna Portage State Park: 10 miles
Here find a mixture of grass and dirt double-track trails. The park offers varied topography in its several loops, with a challenging climb up the Continental Divide with an awesome view as a reward. Map
Milaca
Milaca City Trails: 14 miles
Located near the Rum River, this system offers a variety of
Trail options for riders of all skill levels.
Most of the park’s trails are singletrack and go through a mix of woods, hills, and fields. In the winter, the trails are groomed for fat biking. Map
Brainerd Lakes Area
Pillsbury State Forest: 27 miles
The State Forest trails are a mixture of gravel, grass, and dirt logging roads, The trails wind and twist through the forest and past lakes with rolling terrain. All trails are multi-use. You may encounter some horseback riding activity. Map
Pine River
Cut Lake Trail: 10 miles
Find grassy trails through the forest around Deer and Cut Lakes, perfect for beginner to intermediate skill levels. Great backcountry riding when you are looking for solitude. Map
Saint Cloud
North Loop – Jail Trail: 7.5 miles
Beginner to intermediate with advanced options. Singletrack trail runs through dense woods with sections along the fence of the Minnesota Correctional Facility. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter. Info Plum Creek – River Bluffs Regional Park: 3 miles
Beginner singletrack loop near the Mississippi River. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter. Info
Quarry Park: 2 miles
The new Quarry Park trail system has been cut by hand by Mid Minnesota Cycling Club (MMCC) members over the last few years. Trails are a mix of gravel, dirt, and grass around some granite outcroppings. Passing through a heavily wooded area with a few fairly technical sections where you bike over billion-year-old bedrock. There are many other trails at the park to create an enjoyable MTB trail experience for all rider skill levels. The entrance to the new trail is near the gated entrance. Just follow the fence line to the trailhead. Map
Spicer – Willmar
Fat Tire Biking in Winter – Jayme Sczublewski
Prairie Woods ELC: 4.5 miles
Easy singletrack trails at the Environmental Learning Center start at the parking lot and wind through a mix of open prairie and deciduous woods. The Oak Savannah Trail has a seesaw; other trails have short boardwalk sections and bridges. The Kandi Trail Riders maintain these trails and groom for fat biking in the winter. Info
Wadena
Black’s Grove: 8 miles
Beginner to advanced scenic trails that wind through a wooded setting and along Oak Creek. Groomed for fat biking and skiing in the winter. Map
South Minnesota fat bike trails are waiting
Dig out your favorite Christmas sweater and take a fat bike for a spin.
Kaplan’s Woods Singletrack, in Owatonna. For the avid fat biker, you will find 5-miles of fun loops. With a tight singletrack trail system winding through the hardwood forest next to the Straight River, climbs are short and punchy, leaving you breathless on each descent.
Bronk Unit Plowline Trail, a part of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, is north of Winona. The fat biking trails of varying difficulty consist of a south loop and a north loop for 6.5 miles. Both loops generally follow the woods’ edge, or the plow line, as they go around the ridge, rising and falling, giving them a “more difficult” rating.
Do you have a fun trail for fat biking that we missed?
If you have a fat bike trail that you want to see added to this list, please send us the location to [email protected] – Thanks!
With cooler weather approaching, it’s time to clean and store away your summer bike gloves, especially if you plan to reuse them next year. Even if they look clean, they are not. How often have you wiped the sweat from your brow, or worse, used as a tissue to wipe your nose? Cool mornings and pollen make them disgusting bacteria collectors if not cleaned regularly or before storing. Here are the best ways to clean them, even if they are not machine washable.
Gentle washing with a bit of bacterial soap and/or white vinegar may clean and sanitize them.
Preparing bike gloves for storage
Thankfully, like shorts, jerseys, and other bicycling articles, most bike gloves are made from materials that can be machine-washed. Many gloves can easily be thrown into a washing machine on a care cycle and then hung up to air dry. So, before packing away your summer bike gloves, follow these steps for healthy and extended use—both cloth and leather.
Supplies you may already have on hand for cleaning your cycling gloves:
Step 2 – Wash the bicycle gloves in a sink with cool water and mild liquid soap. Add 1/8 cup white vinegar to the wash water if they are dirty or smelly.
Step 3 – Rinse the gloves well and inspect them for soap suds. Rinse again if necessary.
Step 4 – Lay the gloves flat or hang them up to dry. It’s even better if you can hang the gloves out in the sun. The sun is a “natural sanitizer” that disinfects your clothes. Plus, if you dry your gloves under the sun, they will smell fresher.
Cloth Gloves (machine wash)
Step 1 – Close the Velcro, snap, or button on your gloves.
Step 2 – Put the gloves in your washing machine, set them on cold water, and add laundry detergent. Do not use bleach. You may wash other items with the gloves. If your gloves are particularly smelly, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener slot of your washing machine.
Step 3 – Rinse the bike gloves by hand after the wash if any soap suds remain.
Step 4 – Then lay the gloves flat or hang them to dry, or you can hang them out in the sun to dry. The sun’s ultraviolet rays will help kill bacteria on your workout clothes. But they need to be completely dry in the sun to be disinfected.
Leather Gloves (handwash only)
Step 1 – Put on the bicycle gloves and run some cool water over your hands. Then apply mild soap, such as Castile or leather soap, into the dirtiest parts of the glove.
Step 2 – Rinse the gloves well, spending twice as long on the rinsing as you did washing to ensure all the soap is gone. Do not wring moisture in the gloves. Squeeze gently to remove the water.
Step 3 – Remove the gloves from your hand and place them between layers of a bath towel. Then press to remove excess water.
Step 4 – Put the gloves back on and flex your fingers a few times to mold the gloves back into shape. Then, remove and lay the gloves flat to dry without pressing them again.
Step 5 – If desired, massage your cycling gloves with a pea-sized amount of leather conditioner when almost dry – use less conditioner if only part of the glove is leather.
Other Helpful Tips
If the gloves become smelly and damp between washes, lightly spray and rub vinegar into them and let them dry as you ride.
Leather and cloth gloves may be stiff once dry but soften with little use.
Wash leather gloves as infrequently as possible. If you are a dedicated long-distance rider, they may not last more than one season, regardless of how often you clean them.
The first snowfall keeps many inside by a warm fireplace. But a growing number of cyclists find winter biking an excellent opportunity to be more environmentally friendly while earning bragging rights!
A growing number see riding a bike in the winter as a way to be more environmentally friendly.
For many, though, the thought of riding a bike in the winter can be intimidating, including freezing temperatures, ice-covered paths, and more. But if you prepare properly for the weather, you may find it enjoyable and worthwhile. Plus, you will find plenty of gear options to keep you warm and safe as you navigate your local winter wonderland.
Layering up for that winter excursion
As you ride, you create windchill, which can make a 40-degree day feel like it’s below freezing, leading to an uncomfortable commute. The best solution is to find jackets and pants designed to stop the wind. They do that by preventing air from pulling away from your body. A good base layer under a layer that blocks wind can make the winter commute comfortable even in below-freezing temperatures.
Layering your clothing is essential for winter riding.
You know your body better than anyone else, so you’ll better understand what parts of your body get cold first and what follows afterward. Layer up according to the conditions outside. The layer closest to your body should wick away all the dampness from perspiration. This is very important. With the cold, if any sweat makes your clothing damp, you’ll get cold faster.
Besides layering up clothing to protect your core, ensure you protect sensitive areas that tend to get cold quickly. For instance, winter full-fingered bike gloves for your otherwise numb fingers, earmuffs for those aching cold ears, nice warm socks for your toes and feet, and perhaps a face mask for when your face feels frozen. Also, a biking headband or headwear might be necessary if your head gets cold under the helmet. While a helmet can seem warm in summer, it provides little protection against cold wind in winter.
Tip: You should start the winter commute feeling comfortable, so layer yourself accordingly. Once you start pedaling, you’ll warm up. You can bring an extra layer in case you need it, but usually you won’t.
Seeing is key
Eye protection, like a pair of alpine ski goggles, may help.
Having a clear vision is essential for your winter commute. You need to be able to see and be aware of what’s around you. If you can’t see, it can increase the risk of unnecessary crashes. Finding proper eye protection is relatively easy and affordable. You can use cheap ski masks and wrap-around sunglasses if the sun poses an issue. You should also be able to wear standard reading glasses, which may even fit behind your goggles. They may fog up once you get inside, but you’ll be safely off the road by then.
Be visible while staying warm
The cold winter months bring early sunsets and snow that can make visibility for drivers on the route you define to ride. In addition to wearing reflective clothing, state law requires such things as a white light attached to the front of your bike so drivers can see you from at least 500 feet away (if they are looking at you from the front). There must also be Department of Public Safety-approved red reflector tape or light attached to the back of your bike so drivers can see you from 100 feet to 600 feet (when they are directly behind you). It is also wise to have reflector tape or lights so that traffic can see you from side streets and alleys. For information on what the law requires, click here.
Since cold temperatures can shorten the battery life on your lights, especially if you are riding an e-bike, ensure you check them often so your lights work when you need them! In terms of the law, if an officer pulls you to the side for not having a front light that meets guidelines (even if it’s there and just not on), no excuse can help you.
Ride the right bike
If possible, buy a standard single-speed bike. We’d recommend a used or old bike. Bikes with suspension, multiple gears, or that are specialized can get worn down or ruined by the snow, salt, and grit. So, getting a bike that you can ride and withstand the wear and tear of winter is the best route to go.
Once you enjoy riding in the winter, plan to commute longer distances. A fat bike might be an option, if it’s in your budget. Fat bikes have large balloon tires that increase their surface area, giving them a better grip on the ground under them. This makes riding on snow and ice easier and safer. Visit your local shop to learn if a fat bike is for you.
If you prefer using an e-bike in the winter, colder weather will affect the range (distance) you can travel on a charge. Plus, the e-bike or its battery must be charged indoors and then stored until its subsequent use outside,
Drive your bike defensively
When commuting by bike in winter, you must always be aware of your surroundings, even more so than in warmer months. General visibility may not be an issue when biking in the winter, but watch out for slippery surfaces. Also, auto drivers can be more distracted at this time of year, so they drive defensively. So even though they’re supposed to watch for you, make sure you keep an eye out for them as well.
Be aware of the weather and be a smart biker
Winter means snow, ice, and cold winds. It also means less daylight. Be aware of your options: if the snow starts coming down heavily, it becomes icy, or overall conditions worsen, have an alternate plan in place if biking becomes too dangerous. Consider a route near a bus or train or anywhere with public transportation. If conditions worsen, you have another way to get home or to your destination.
Also, don’t make sudden moves or tricks with your bike, especially in icy conditions. This means don’t lean into the turns, for example. Going with the turn decreases the tire’s contact with the road or trail surface, which is bad because your bike will have less power to stay upright. This might seem like a no-brainer, but we have seen plenty of people who break quickly or make quick turns only to wipe out. Doing this in the street is dangerous and could become fatal.
Why winter commute?
Winter bike commuting is not only a great way to ride year-round and keep you in shape, but also it can save you money. Looking at cost, in terms of transportation options, biking is definitely on the low end. When you add in all the expenses of driving a car or using public transportation, the costs of using anything besides your legs as an engine will be more significant. Plus, you’ll not only be in shape and ready to go in the spring but also be regarded as awesome for braving that cold air.
Have fun, be safe, and remember to use your best judgment this winter while riding!
