Category Archives: News

A Minnesota true north adventure for family and group fun

by Russ Lowthian at haveFunBiking.com

With the promise of vaccines and a chance of normalcy in our near future, I would like to share a Minnesota true north adventure perfect for the whole family. A remote bike or hike experience that will be remembered for years to come. Plus, you will soon see some other fun stories of outdoor activities in both the HaveFunBiking and Let’s Do MN blogs and directory in the coming months. As the editor of both the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and Let’s Do MN, we will also be coving the 75^th anniversary of Many Point Scout Camp that is being planned.

A true north adventure in the Beltrami Island State Forest.

With thousands of miles of paved trails and hundreds of mountain biking areas in Minnesota. You will find maps and other activities in our guides to help you pick a destination for a safe and memorable time, like our true north adventure here.

A fun bike/camp true north adventure

If you are looking for the ultimate off-the-grid bike/camping experience, a favorite of mine is a trip to Beltrami Island State Forest, near Roseau, MN. For this adventure, plan your stay for three or more days to make the trip worth the effort. Located about 10 miles from the Canadian Border, wildlife enthusiasts will find five rivers with their headwaters beginning here in the forest.

Wildlife viewing in its prime with five different rivers leading out of Beltrami Island State Forest.

With off-road cycling and hiking equipment, visitors can explore a network of low maintenance roads and trails. The forest covers over 138 miles, with some primitive campsites along the way (see map). Plus several scientific and natural areas for observation or study. A place to help a Boy Scout fulfill his merit badge requirement or just a spot to dwell further into nature?

One of many homesteads and settlements of the past you will pass on your true north adventure.

While in the forest, enjoy a mixed terrain of low flatlands, peat bogs, and ridges covered in pines full of flora and fauna sightings. You might even find evidence of a former homestead or village along the forest roads. And, when in season, stop and enjoy some blueberries. Then in the evening, sitting around the campfire, look up to the skies. On a clear night, gaze at the constellations and northern lights for another true north experience.

A great place to start this adventure is Roseau, MN. The town is 12 miles away from Beltrami Forest. See more on this destination in a recent article at HaveFunBiking.com.

A memorable place for a true north family or group outing.

Then, please check back periodically to LetsDoMN.com for more ideas of outdoor activity we will be covering. Some of the topics scheduled over the next few months include birding, fishing, hiking, and paddling adventures you may find of interest. So stay safe, keep your social distance and watch for more fun outdoor adventures to consider from us in 2021!

Social distancing tips to stay healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com

Many ask, is it safe to go for a bicycle ride, a walk, or commute by bike to work during the Corona Virus pandemic?

As spring weather brings warmer temps practicing social distancing is key to rid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The answer is yes! It’s safe if you follow the recommended guidelines. Now with gyms, health clubs, and schools all struggling to stay open, health officials continue to recommend the practice of social distancing and wearing a mask to meet safety guidelines. Cycling and other outdoor activities are a healthy means of staying active and is still advised. There is no reason to stop if you feel well. Just use some precautions. So take a break from the news while we wait for an ample supply of vaccines to bring things back to normal. So, get out there and learn some new social-distancing habits using the helpful tips below and have some fun staying healthy.

Social distancing benefits

In my research, at this time, social distancing and wearing a mask is one of the key recommendations by many medical organizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, that may change, as there is still a huge amount unknown about the COVID-19 virus. So stay tuned for up-to-date news, recommendations, and future mandates. Currently, by incorporating social distancing into your walking or cycling activities, you can burn calories, get your heart pumping while working your legs and abs. It can also lift your mood, reduce stress while putting a smile on your face, and improve your general health and well being.

Social distancing is one of the key recommendations by medical organizations and the CDC.

It’s critical to be physically active to ward off this virus.

Most health agencies stress, being inactive is a serious threat to our collective health. According to some recent research that I found, staying physically active can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by 35% and the risk of early death by as much as 30%. So it’s critical to be physically active, possibly in new ways, with this threatening virus. If you are not in quarantine or at high risk, please consider incorporating the following suggestions into your social distancing activities to stay healthy.

Helpful suggestions to incorporate into your social distancing routine to stay healthy.

Helpful social distancing tips to make your outdoor activities safer

Along with the general safety tips for riding a bicycle and other social distancing activities. Here are some helpful suggestions to incorporate into your solo active outdoor routine to stay healthy through the COVID-19 health crises.

First and foremost, if you are sick, STAY HOME! Even if you are only experiencing a cold or flu-like symptom – coughing, sneezing, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat – stay home and call your doctor. If after 24-48 hours you are not feeling any better, seek medical care immediately.

Plan your ride and avoid traveling through crowded places or on busy cycling lanes. Remember keeping a distance between you and others is critical.

Wear a mask when riding in groups with others, keep a distance, or when stopping and socializing in public places.

Make sure your bicycle is in good mechanical order. You don’t want a breakdown and have others get too close, helping you out. If in doubt, have your favorite bike shop check out your bicycle and make sure your tires are in good shape.

When approaching a slow cyclist or someone ahead of you walking, verbally let them know you are passing on the left. Then make sure your mask is in place and allow extra-space, at least three feet or more, as you pass by them.

Bring hand sanitizer or wipes along to clean your hands or fingers if wearing cycling gloves. Also, after touching the button at a signal light crossing, a public bike rack, or any other surfaces that may have been touched by others, sanitize your hands. If there are no sanitizer products on the shelf at the store you frequent, make your own. *Make a handy pocket-size sanitizer pouch by using a heavy zip-lock bag. Place some cocktail size napkins or paper towel inside the bag and pour rubbing alcohol over the paper sheets until moist, then seal and are ready to use.

Wipe off your water bottle before using it. If you hang your bottle(s) out in the open, on the frame of the bike, cover the cap with a piece of plastic held with a rubber-band, or use a sanitary wipe and clean the cap and nipple surface before taking a sip.

When arriving at work or returning home, wipe down your bike and then wash your hands. The same goes for your cycling gloves; clean them.

Plus, limit the number of people in your group.

If you feel safer riding with others, limit the number of riders in your group to 10 or less – the fewer, the better. For added bike safety, along with the social distance recommendation, stay three bike lengths, or approximately 15 to 20-feet apart while riding.
Returning home, wipe down your bike, and then wash your hands.

Other activities without a crowd to enjoy

If you live in a congested area where it is hard to avoid crowds while biking, consider these social distance activities to be healthy.

Hiking
Running
Fishing
Birding
Skiing
Snowshoeing

Social Distancing is a must.

If you live in a crowded area or a community with confirmed coronavirus cases, social distancing is critical. This means limiting your interactions with other people as much as possible. It is essential to keep this in mind when it comes to older people, as they are most at risk of developing life-threatening symptoms.

If you have to meet someone, try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet and avoid any direct contact — no handshakes, hugs, or kisses.

If you have coronavirus symptoms or you believe you might have been infected, stay in complete isolation for at least 10 days and make sure to wear a mask if you’re interacting with other people.

Remember to take care of yourself during this time of change. It is important to remain calm and respect those around you.

Have fun and stay healthy!

Upper Midwest destinations with peak colors and times to ride

With the summer season officially ending on September 21st, fall is a great time to extend your bike riding adventures in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. As the leaves change colors along the miles of paved and mountain bike trails, cyclists will find a kaleidoscope of peak colors at every turn. Especially with the abundant rainfall, we have had this year. Colors along the trails and roadways are predicted to be spectacular. If the weather remains mostly sunny during the day with cooler temps at night, conditions favor stunning vistas while exploring the upper Midwest.

Fall color riding on a bike-friendly road and trails.

So, over the next month, it will be no surprise to find peak backdrops while riding. Especially using both the Iowa and Minnesota Bike/Hike Guides in conjunction with the following state color reports.

Guides and reports for easy peak colors for exploration this fall

Each year the fall color peak normally arrives in the northern one-third of the state in mid-September to early October. This year, as in the past few, the peak cycle, regionally, is running a week or so later than normal – so enjoy!

To get a more accurate gauge to the change in colors in areas you plan to explore with your bike see: Iowa’s fall color report; Minnesota’s fall color report; and for the Wisconsinsin fall color report. All three online reports are updated weekly each Thursday during the fall season.

Mountain biking fun with the leaves turning into their spectacular fall colors.

Destinations and trails to enjoy during Minnesota and Wisconsin’s peak riding season

We will start with the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, as the color peak a bit earlier. Here, if you haven’t already, you will find over 24-Minnesota bike-friendly destination, plus information and a map of Polk County, WI. to match with the above reports.

Destinations and trails to enjoy during Iowa and Wisconsin’s peak riding season

In the Iowa Bike Guide, you will find over 18-Iowa bike-friendly destinations.

Staying safe in peak color riding season

Keep your helmets on! Even on off-road trails, bicyclists need to wear helmets. You are much more likely to fall on your head by locking wheels with another bike, or other hazards, then riding on a road in traffic.
Don’t forget to stop at stop signs on the trail, even if it’s just a driveway or gravel road.
And through this COVID-19 crisis wear a mask when riding in groups and use the following social distancing tips.

Enjoy nature and the many scenic peak color days ahead!

An intro into cycle-cross may extend your summer of biking fun

If you like the idea of taking your road bike, or a slight version of it, off the pavement and into a designated park area, cycle-cross may be for you. Also called CX, cyclo-X, or just ‘cross’ the actual name is cyclocross and is a form of bicycle racing is known worldwide. Cyclo-cross has parallels with mountain bike racing, cross-country cycling, and criterium racing. The CX course is normally set up temporarily in a city park.

The cycle-cross course is marked with yellow tape.

Marked by plastic tape that goes up, over, and around rolling, grassy and forested terrain. If you want to try cyclocross most states welcome amateurs to come out and try. If nothing else it’s a fun spectator sport the whole family will enjoy.

The right cycle-cross bike for you

With lower gears a cyclocross bike frame is fitted so the rider sit more upright.

With lower gears, a cyclocross bike frame is fitted to the rider so they sit more upright.

Cyclocross bicycles are similar to road racing bicycles. They are lightweight, with somewhat narrow tires and drop handlebars. However, if you are just starting out, a mountain bike or road bike with a few modifications will do. Stop by your local bike shop and they can assist you in preparation so you can try this exciting sport.

Looking closer at the CX bike there are greater tire clearances, lower gearing, stronger frames, disc brakes, and a more upright riding position than standard bikes. They also share characteristics with mountain bicycles in that they use knobby tread tires for traction. The main reason for being lightweight, ‘cross riders need to occasionally carry their bicycle over barriers.

The ideal terrain for a CX course

The ideal course, offers many twists and turn, some short uphill and downhill juants along with a few well placed barriers.

The ideal course offers many twists and turn, some short uphill and downhill jaunts along with a few well-placed barriers.

A cycle-cross race consists of many laps on a short (2.5–3.5 km or 1.5–2 miles) course. The race route is usually on the grass and can incorporate pavement, wooded trails. Obstacles along the way can include steps, steep hills, and other barriers requiring the rider to bunny hop or quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction, and remount. As a result, cyclocross is also known as the “steeplechase of cycling.” The sight of racers struggling up a muddy slope with bicycles on their shoulders is the classic image of the sport. Normally there are only a few un-rideable sections of the racecourse. For a spectator, they make a great place to stand on the sidelines and cheer.

Cycle-cross racing tactics

Compared with other forms of racing, cyclocross tactics are fairly straightforward and the emphasis is on the rider’s aerobic endurance and bike-handling ability. Although cyclocross courses are less technical than mountain biking, obstacles can require a specific technical ability of a rider.

Here in the forefront a amateur rider tests out the muddy cycle-cross course with a fat bike.

Here in the forefront, an amateur rider tests out the muddy cycle-cross course with a fat bike.

For example, rider experience and technique come into play on course sections that are extremely muddy, wet, or even snow. Normally too extreme to be ridden on a standard road bike tire, the challenge in cyclocross lies in maintaining traction in loose or slippery terrain at fast speeds. The power of the rider is generally higher over the duration of the race to overcome greater amounts of rolling resistance from loose dirt or grass.

Overcoming the cycle-cross barriers

Although getting off and on a bike sounds simple, doing so in the middle of a quick-paced race is difficult. Often, when sections become extremely technical racers will carry the bike and jog for an extended time to save energy. Being able to fluidly dismount, pick up and carry the bike, then put it back down requires practice and skill. In competition, CX riders may do this many times throughout the race.

Here a rider dismounts, jumps over the barrier, then hops back on to resume her position in the race.

Here a rider dismounts and jumps over the barrier, then hops back on to resume her position in the race.

Now with the leaves changing colors and cool crisp days of fall are upon us here are some links to the race schedule that welcome new riders – in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other states in the U.S. Visit your local bike shop for more information and extend your summer fun with cyclocross.

Remember if it rains you just play harder!

Staying cool while biking in the hot, humid weather

The return of summer is especially welcoming to most of us here in the upper Midwest. But with the warmer temps staying cool takes a little thought in reacquainting ourselves to a hydration routine.

Now with the temperature fluctuating up into the high nineties this coming week and the humidity levels on the rise, it’s important to know how to keep your body cool while staying active in the heat.

Staying cool while biking or playing in hot weather

If your favorite summer sport is cycling, knowing how to keep cool is crucial. According to a study done by Galloway and Maughan, the perfect temperature for running and cycling is 10º C (52 º F). So, unless you live in far northern regions of Canada you are probably biking in temperatures that are frequently above 30º C (92 º F) during the summer months. So, to enjoy your outdoor summer activities safely, when the weather is hot, requires taking a few precautions. Exercising in the heat raises your internal body temperature, putting additional stress on your heart and lungs, which can affect your performance and your health.

How Your Body Stays Cool

When your body temperature goes above normal 37º C (or 98.6º F) two processes, vasodilation (or widening of the blood vessels) and sweating kicks in to remove heat from the body. In vasodilation, veins and capillaries expand, and the heart pumps harder to send blood to the outer layers of the skin where it can be cooled. When the outside air is warmer than your body temperature you start to sweat. The evaporation of the sweat from your body helps cool it. But on hot, humid days, evaporation is reduced and this cooling process is slowed down.

So What You Can Do to Keep Cool While Cycling On a Hot Day

Wear clothing that will allow for quick evaporation is the best choice. Fabric that wicks the sweat away from your skin, allowing it to quickly evaporate, like the material cycling jerseys are made of is best. Any light material, other than cotton, with a zipper at the front is a good way to go. A damp hand towel or a purchased neck wrap will also help to keep you cooler by dropping the temperature of the blood vessels going through your neck.

Make sure you hydrate well and use electrolyte fluids.

Drinking water frequently and in the right amounts will help replace the fluid you lose during your ride. Because everybody perspires a little differently to find out how much fluid you need to replace during a ride: (1) weigh yourself before and after a ride (without clothes)—one pound of weight loss equals 500 ml (16 ounces) of fluid. (2) then, factor in the amount you drank during that ride and (3) on your next ride drink approximately 1.5 times this amount during your rides by making frequent stops (7 to 15 mile apart depending on the length of your ride) preferably under the cover of shade.

The more the better

If you have two water bottle cages, use them both by mixing one water bottle with a sports drink that has electrolytes and the other with water. Electrolytes are chemicals that form ions in body fluids. They help make sure specific bodily functions run at optimal levels. Too few electrolytes will cause the body to cramp up. There are many brands and flavors of electrolyte supplements available in premixed liquid, powder or tablet form that is easy to add to a water bottle or a water-bladder backpack to help stay hydrated and healthy. A natural source of electrolyte for after your ride, or if you stop at a grocery store along the way that sells it by the slice, is watermelon.

When the temperature soars like it is predicted this week, try to stay out of the mid-day sun. Plan your ride during the cooler times of the day—in the early morning or early evening.

Danger Signs to Watch For

If you overdo it and experience any of these symptoms: weakness, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea/ vomiting or rapid heartbeat while riding in the heat, stop and find some shade to lay down in, and replenish your fluids. You should feel better within 60-minutes. These are the warning signs to look out for to avoid heatstroke when you exercise in the heat. If any of these symptoms persist longer, call for medical help.

Finding where the irrigation spray is hitting the road is the ultimate why to cool down!

Finding where the irrigation spray is hitting the road is the ultimate way to cool down!

We hope you take the tips above and incorporate them into your next ride for staying cool when the heat index climbs. Remember, there are less than three months until the end of summer. Fall officially begins on September 22.

Have Fun and Enjoy!

The maps in the 2020 Bike/Hike Guides offers many solo ride opportunities

Here at HaveFunBiking, we hope everyone is staying healthy and safe in these troubling times. With social distancing and solo rides a part of the new norm. We have added some suggested route options to most of the maps in the 2020 Bike Guides. So you can stay active and safe while riding.

With summer just around the corner and the need to practice social the new norm, both Iowa and the Minnesota Bike Guides are now digitally available to download. You can find them here, the Iowa Bike/Hike Guide and the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, to explore and stay active!

Where to find a printed copy of the Iowa or Minnesota bike guide?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the printed copies of both the Iowa and Minnesota Bike/Hike Guides will not be available until late-May, at the earliest. With most of our distribution outlets currently closed and many of the ride events being rescheduled, this will give us time to update and keep this handy pocket resource current in these changing times.

As in the past, the Iowa and Minnesota guides will continue to offer a wide selection of maps, events, and helpful tip sheets. These digital guides are perfect to page-through, print maps, and jot down a few notes when planning your #NextBikeAdventure.

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

As we continue to work on updating the 11th edition of the guide we would like to hear from you. What you like about the guides, and how we can make the Iowa and Minnesota editions better? So we can continue to add more helpful information to assist, please page through the guides and give us your comments at [email protected] – Thanks!

Check out our ‘Social Distancing’ tip sheet

Along with the general safety tips for riding a bicycle, info from the CDC, and other social distancing activities. Here are some helpful Social Distancing Tips to incorporate into your solo ride activities.

So have fun, keep riding a comfortable distance apart, and stay healthy!

Sledge Sunglasses are designed by cyclists for your riding comfort

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking

Thanks to today’s oversized styles from Tifosi Optics, choosing a pair of eye-catching sunglasses for cycling is easy and affordable. The latest Sledge models will have you riding in style when the sun is shining. Plus, if you are like me, when you want a more detailed view, they comfortably fit over your prescription glasses. Either way, you wear them, you will get the airy fit and the protection you desire.

Each pair comes a full lens kit that includes an additional clear and high contrast AC red lens, plus a hard case and soft bag for cleaning.

Styling comfort with Sledge Sunglasses

Tifosi Optics’ newest cycling sunglasses are designed to enhance your ride. Offering maximum coverage and ergonomic face-fit protection from the elements, you will find an unrestricted view of the road or trail.

Each of the vented Sledge lenses fit into the lightweight yet durable Grilamid TR-90 frame of your choice. And all three lenses are guaranteed shatterproof while providing 100% UV protection.

Cycling sunglasses designed by cyclists

The perfected cycling eyewear at an affordable price, Sledge glasses range from $69.95 to 79.95. Click on each of the four-color options below and choose.

Crystal Orange with a Clarion Blue lens

Crystal Red with a Clarion Yellow lens

Matte Black with a Smoke lens

Matte White with a Smoke lens

Like me, you will find that the Sledge line of sunglasses offers the ideal tint for any lighting condition. Each pair is shipped with a full lens kit, which includes an additional clear and high contrast AC red lens, plus a hard case and soft bag for cleaning.

Team up with Tifosi during the Covid-19 crisis

In addition to making affordable eye protection for you, Tifosi is also doing what it can to protect healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 crisis. The company recently announced that they would be donating a face shield to health care facilities during the month of May for every pair of sunglasses sold on their site. For more details, check out their post here.

The Apres-Ski Recovery Boot works well for post fat biking activities

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking

Like the Telic’s sandals, the new Apres-Ski Recovery Boot is the perfect footwear, after fat biking the snow-covered trails. With a fun-filled day of pedaling through the woods and open fields behind us. It was time to slip on some comfortable walking footwear and enjoy the local festivities. Here my wife found this Recovery Boot, made for post-ski therapy, perfect for the activities we enjoyed after fat biking.

After a fun-filled day of pedaling through Minnesota’s True North landscape, the boots support technology added to the comfort.

The Apres-Ski Recovery Boot fit

As I mentioned Telic is best known for its comfortable sandal footwear. Telic originally designed the Recovery Boot for skiers in the snow sports industry to help them relax after training and competition. What they found incorporating the Novlaon Footstrike Technology from the sandals, the boot had a soft supportive fit for added comfort for any post-outdoor activity.

Very attractive, I liked the idea that this boot was lightweight, water-resistant, and had a nice traction control outer soles.

Stylish, and very supportive with great shock absorption.

Trying these boots, my wife found them stylish, very supportive with great shock absorption. So we found these boots kept her feet warm while we walked around the apres festivities after fat biking.

The new Telic Apres-Ski Recovery Boot turned out to be the perfect footwear for post-fat biking fun, after riding the snow-covered trails.

Electric bike expo countdown, 50-days until the E-bike Challenge

Electric bike expo countdown – With an expanding selection of electric-assist bikes from around the world, the E-bike Challenge Minneapolis is returning in 50-days.

Thanks for viewing our electric bike expo countdown picture

From a recent article at HaveFunBiking, the E-bike Challenge will again be at the Minneapolis Convention Center, on March 28–29. Here consumers can test and compare electric-assist bicycles on the huge indoor cycle track. In its inaugural year, 2019, it was deemed a success with attendees of all ages and abilities test riding e-bikes. While visiting have fun learning:

What exactly is a pedal-assist bike or e-bike?

Hint – An e-bike is a bicycle that has a battery and electric motor to allow a cyclist to ride farther and with greater ease. However, the bicycle doesn’t do all the work by itself, it only assists! The bicyclist must be pedaled for the motor to engage, enabling an easier ride.

Start your E-bike Challenge visit with a 2020 Bike Guide and the daily E-bike parade

As you enter the bike expo hall and test track pick up your copy of the HaveFunBiking 2020 Bike/Hike Guide, hot off the press. Then attend the e-bike fashion show where you will find all the latest models of e-bikes you can ride, on the runway. Dozens of bicycle exhibitors, to name a few like Bosch, Tern Bicycles, Riese & Müller, Yuba, GoCycle will be there. With more brands signing up each day, you are sure to see the latest and greatest in electric bike innovations.

Find your next adventure in the Hike & Bike Xperience court area

When not test riding all the fun e-bikes, explore the Hike & Bike Camp area in the center of the exhibition hall. Here find information on tourism destinations, trekking, mountain biking, and fun activities.

Plus you will find an interactive Kid’s Area at the bike expo

This family-friendly event will also have an interactive kids’ bike test track for ages 16 and
under, a children’s scavenger hunt daily, a bicycle playground with activities, and more!

Have a great day and mark your calendar for the E-bike Challenge!

The Blaine 10-mile bike loop can add more memories to a sporting event

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com

With miles of connecting bike trails around the city of Blaine, sports fans and visitors alike will find many phenomenal sights while bicycling here. One of the nine communities of the Twin Cities Gateway this city is a perfect destination for a bike vacation tied to a sporting event. The city offers many trail opportunities surrounding the sports facilities here. So, whether you are an athlete looking for a fun way to get a pre-game workout. Or, a visiting sports fan looking for some added memories we have some ideas starting with the Blaine 10-mile bike loop.

The Blaine 10-mile bike loop can add more fun to your game visit.

The Blaine 10-mile bike loop

A perfect bicycle tour before or after a game this bike loop begins in the parking lot of the National Sports Center(NSC). The route heads south using the service road between NSC and Schwan Super Rink and passes through several parking lots south to 101^stAvenue. Traveling in a clockwise direction drive your bike south on Davenport to the stoplight at 99^th Avenue and cross Highway 65. If you are staying at the Asteria Inn & Suites, on 93^rd Ave, this is a great place to meet up with the 10-mile loop. it is a short 1/4-mile ride, north on Baltimore Street, from the hotel to 99^th Avenue.

The Blaine 10-mile bike loo is fun for all ages.

Crossing the highway and enjoying the trails in Blaine

If you prefer staying off the streets after crossing the highway the trail that runs parallel on 99^th Avenue, on the south side, for your added comfort. On Clover Leaf Parkway, take a right and you are soon on a sequence of city trails up through several neighborhoods. For the next couple miles the route meanderers to the north. As you pedal along the trail you will pass several small neighborhood ponds where it is common to view wildlife.

Many roads here offer trails that parallel for added comfort.

At 113^th Ave. the route relies on a combination of roads (with parallel trails). These quiet, low traffic city streets connect you to more neighborhood trails on the route up to Paul Parkway. The last stretch on this section takes riders through the Blaine Baseball Complex with several trail options circling the ball fields. One option, if you don’t mind adding more mileage to your ride is taking a left at the trail T to Bunker Hills Regional Park. On the 10-mile loop turn to the east on Paul Parkway where you will find a trail running parallel with the street.

A sweet tooth option at the 6-mile mark

It’s always fun when riding in the Twin Cities Gateway to stop for ice cream.

If you don’t mind adding a couple of extra miles, take a left on Ulysses Street for ice cream. It is approximately a mile, each way, that you will have to add to your total mileage, But the Big Dipper Creamery is worth the extra miles with 52 flavors to choose. For any bike service needs, while touring here, Pioneer Cycle is across Highway 65, north of Main Street.

Enjoying nature along the trail.

Continuing east on Paul Parkway the route crosses over Highway 65 and turns south on Aberdeen St, again with a trail running parallel on the west side. If you have worked up an appetite for breakfast, lunch or some pie, Carol’s Restaurant is an option. Her homemade cooking is always a treat when I stop there!. Further south, the 10-mile loop jogs to the east and meanders past some more picturesque trail setting that takes you over a wooden bridge.

Returning back to the NSC or your hotel

After the round-a-bout at 113^th, the route continues south on Club W. Parkway. For those staying at the Best Western Plus or Fairfield Inn & Suites in Blaine, take a right on 108^th Ave. The Hotel is south of Target, on the east side to Baltimore Street. If you missed the Big Dipper Creamery option, above you will find ice cream next door to the hotel. For bike touring visitors staying at Asteria Inn & Suites, on 93^rd Avenue, continue south using the cue sheet link below.

The 10-mile Blaine loop continues south on Davenport, below 105^th Avenue and into the National Sports Center parking lot. Back at the NSC or your hotel checkout a nearby eating establishment and plan another bike adventure in the Twin Cities Gateway Area.

Printable map and Q (cue)-sheet)

For a printable bike map of Blaine click here

For a turn-by-turn, Q-sheet of Blaine click here