Category Archives: News

Unusual yard art while biking – Photo Contest

It is just an added bonus when riding your bike, what you will see while commuting to work, running errands or touring the countryside. In the photo above, while riding around Richfield MN, we noticed this Volkswagen Bug embedded in the lawn and wondered how many other unique, quirky items are out there that we could share with you?

So we are creating a Yard Art by bike contest

Photo for contest could be yard art like this, an animal or bird captured on camera in a unique setting or other creative shots that will win you a prize.

Our yard art contest by bike is now underway and your chance to win a $100 with your photo talents and observant eye. Open to all armature/professional photographers and hand-held device extraordinaire’s the contest will run through September of 2016.

This biker is having a little fun in this photo with some yard art in Bluff Country.

Submit your yard art photos to [email protected] for a chance to win. Photos must be 1200 pixel wide or larger to be considered and will automatically go into our HaveFunBiking.com Yard Art album on Facebook. It may also be used for our popular daily “Pic of the Day’ postings. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit, plus the chance to win the prize.

Winning Yard Art Photo

The winning yard art photo will be selected October 1, by the HaveFunBiking staff (we trust that you took the picture while riding your bike). We will then notify the winner and request their mailing address to send out a $100 gift certificate to a Twin City Metro bike shop.

Thanks for viewing our daily Bike Pic’s here at HaveFunBiking (HFB).

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike -While showcasing unforgettable places and things to see while riding.

Have a great day and enjoy the scenery along the way!

The Art of Biking – all things Anoka

Emily Stocker, HaveFunBiking.com

When biking down the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) or staying overnight in the Twin Cities Gateway Area, spend some time enjoying Anoka’s amazing art scene. Discover the art of biking between the Rum River Art Center and the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage. It’s the perfect stop along on the way.

Biking to the Rum River Art Center

The Rum River Art Center has classes for you to “brush up” on your painting and other skills – photo ABC Newspaper

The Rum River Art Center has classes for you to “brush up” on your painting and other skills. These classes range from painting to clay, for a variety of ages. Bike over to the RRAC for one of the Adult Meditative coloring class. Or, if you are a Lord of the Rings fan, head over for Tolkien Tuesdays. Summer workshops are a great way to keep the kids entertained while teaching them art skills. These art camps allow you, or your kids, to take classes on what you are most interested in. From animal drawing to Pokémon, polymer clay and even mosaic stained glass, everyone will have fun while making their artwork.

Biking to the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage

"Nice Work If You Can Get It" is now showing Now showing at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, in Anoka.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” is now showing at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, in Anoka.

The Lyric Arts Main Street Stage brings you a wonderful theatre experience right in downtown Anoka. Stop by to admire the mural on the side of the building. If you go on a Monday you can enjoy Anoka’s farmer’s market in the theatre’s parking lot. Love what you see on the outside of the building, then come back for one of their shows.

Lyric Arts’ current play is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Along with theatre productions, they have several summer workshops on a variety of topics for all ages. From sketch and improv comedy to singing and dancing lessons, these workshops are great for kids during the summer or anyone wanting to get involved with theatre.

Apart from theatre productions, Lyric Arts also has their “Music in the ‘Burbs” concert series. Relish an evening of music by local artists from around Minnesota on the Lyric Arts stage for an intimate concert. Some scheduled artists include Kat Perkins and Tonic Sol Fa.

So bike on over to Anoka and get your fill of all things art.

An emergency bike tire boot repair option

Brad Kopp , One ten Cycles Service Manager/Assistant Store Manager

The inevitable truth is that every avid cyclist has, or will eventually have, a flat while riding and need a bike tire boot repair. When considering a repair the key is to identify the cause of the flat and resolving the issue before continuing with an inner tube replacement. Having the right tools and knowledge will help get you rolling down the trail safely again.

A bike tire boot repair option

Identifying the need for a bike tire boot repair from a blow out.

The type of hole in the inner tube can give you an idea of whether a tire boot is necessary. A small pinhole would indicate a puncture via thorn, wire, glass etc. Two small cuts on either side of the tube indicate a pinch flat caused by too low of pressure and an impact with a rock or pothole. In most cases, these scenarios do not necessitate a tire repair.

Identifying a blowout

Installing a bike tire boot when you need to repair from a blow out.

A blowout can be identified by a large shredded hole or a long horizontal slit, commonly caused by a ripped tire or improperly seated tire bead. Failure to repair the tire casing in the event of a blowout could allow your new inner tube to protrude from the tire and flat immediately. It’s possible to temporarily repair a tire with a boot such as Park Tool’s TB-2. It should be noted that booted tires should be replaced as soon as possible.

Take the following steps to repair a damaged tire:

Temporarily repair a tire with a boot such as Park Tool’s TB-2.

Locate cut or tear in tire.
Clean inside of tire around tear (alcohol wipes work excellent).
Locate and remove emergency tire boot backing.
Place patch over damaged tire casing, making sure not to overlap the tire bead.
Firmly press down patch.
Re-install tire and tube.

Pro Tip: Also inspect for rim strip failure in the event of a blowout. A damaged rim strip can sometimes be emergency repaired with a section of a TB-2 patch.=-09876543.

For more questions related to keeping your bike in top shape, stop in an see Brad at One ten Cycles, On Highway 100, west of the 35E Freeway in Mendota Heights, MN.

An easy bike ride to the “Slice” of Shoreview

Are you planning on visiting or looking for something to do in the north side of Minnesota’s Twin Cities Metro Area next weekend with your bike? If so, check out the popular ‘Slice of Shoreview‘ see (map). One of nine entertaining towns of the Twin Cities Gateway Area, this event on July 22nd to July 24th is at Island Lake County Park and gets better each year.

The Slice of Shoreview

The “Slice of Shoreview” is held at Island Lake County Park with music each day.

It’s an annual festival held to celebrate life in Shoreview. The “Slice”, as it has come to be known, takes place over a weekend of July. It incorporates a wide variety of family-oriented activities. Some of which include a carnival, parade, arts/crafts fair, food vendors, helicopter rides, various displays, and demonstrations. Not to mention lots of entertainment from talent shows, the Rockin Hollywoods, and, of-course, fireworks. Since the late 1990’s, it has taken place at Island Lake Park at the intersection of Interstate 694 and Victoria Street, in Shoreview.

You will find many flavors of good things to eat at the “Slice of Shoreview”.

The name Shoreview came from the range of hills surrounding the center of the area while overlooking the lakes there. Today, you can experience numerous attractions that this picturesque city has to offer. Just ten miles north of both Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Shoreview is set amidst a beautiful natural landscape for riding your bike, playing golf and having fun.

Come by bike, the “Slice of Shoreview” is easy to get to and has free bike parking.

Shoreview’s beautiful environment includes lakes, parks, wetlands, and open space areas. There are eleven lakes here including three with public beaches. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation in 14 parks and the City has more than 50 miles of trails and sidewalks. And, don’t forget about the Slice of Shoreview Days, a weekend full of fun featuring an art fair, parade, and more for the whole family. See a full schedule for “Slice” here. Have Fun!

Find many more bike friendly places at Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Bike Friendly Willmar now offers a fleet of yellow bikes

The picturesque Glacial State Trail, rolling into the city of Willmar, has now been enhanced with a series of bike friendly routes on city streets and trails. Another key factor worth mentioning is its fleet of yellow bikes. With several improvements over the last couple years, this spring, the city was awarded the Bronze Bike Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclist (LAB).

Bike Friendly Willmar a fun and safe place to Live and visit

According to an article published by the Bicycle Aliance of Minnesota (BikeMN), over the past seven years the city and its local advocacy group, ‘Willmar Bikes’, has upped their game in every aspect of bicycling.

Here Dorian Grilley, Director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota and Steve Brisendine, Director of Community Education and Recreation for the City of Willmar celebrate being a bike friendly city by the League of American Bicyclists.

The community is now home to a small fleet of yellow-painted cycles for free public use. It hosts an annual Mayor’s Bike Ride. It works to connect low-income youth with an earn-a-bike programs. The community is also planning a bike route connection between a new development and a school being built. Also, they support bike trail maintenance. Residence and visitors alike can now enjoy the countryside trails that connect to many of the city’s streets and inter-city trails, making the community a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC).

In the northern part of Minnesota, Cloquet was was given an Honorable Mention this spring for its work toward bicycle friendliness.

Riding the trail in the countryside as it connects to trails and safe street routs in Willmar, MN. photo Steve-Brisendine

BFC recognition is a nationally recognized thumbs-up. The program is administered by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). LAB commends towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas for taking concrete steps toward making bicycling more safe, more visible, and more fun in their communities. In Minnesota, there are more than two million residents who live in Bike Freindly Communities in the state. This exciting initiatives is making more communities safer for visitors as well as those who live in the stare.

Learn more about Bike Friendly Willmar and the fun you can have staying and playing here.

The Time of Your Life biking at Madden’s

Emily Stocker, HaveFunBiking.com

I remember watching Dirty Dancing when I was young and wondering if resorts similar to the one that Baby and Johnny fell in love at actually existed. Surprise! They do and Madden’s on Gull Lake took me back to the first time I watched the movie. It’s the perfect place to go for your next family bike adventure.

Biking along the trail in front of Madden's Driving Range, near Brainerd, MN.

A family bike outing along the trail in front of Madden’s Driving Range, near Brainerd, MN. is always fun.

Located in the Brainerd Lakes Area, you will find many bike trails, north woods sights, and fun activities around the resort that the whole family will enjoy. So grab your bike and cue “The Time of My Life.”

Biking through Beauty

Located a few miles away from the Paul Bunyan Trail, I found Madden’s the perfect place to stay and experience a variety of biking activities and more. Around the Resort, or on the Paul Bunyan Trail, you and your bike will roll along the picturesque pine forests skirting around the pristine lakes along the way. Mountain bikers can ride the nearby Pillsbury State Forest trails or take a short drive over to the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area for some of Minnesota’s premier riding opportunities. The mountain bike trail in Cuyuna offer miles of fun for all levels of riders.

Riding the red dirt trails of the Cuyuna Trails, just East of Brainerd, MN. turned out to be fun for a first-timer.

As a beginner, I hopped on a bike to experience the red dirt trail for myself. While I have to admit mountain biking isn’t my favorite cup of tea, the scenery on the trail made the experience fun.

Other Activities at Madden’s

A little shuffle board challenge to end a perfect day of activities at Madden's.

A little shuffleboard, croquet, or horseshoe challenge is the perfect way to end the days activities at Madden’s Resort.

Then, back at Madden’s, stop at the spa for a massage after a long day of riding the bike trails. Or play a game of croquet on the only official course in the area. If you would like to take a day off of biking, then Madden’s is sure to keep you entertained. Make a tee time for Madden’s Classic or one of their other two 18 hole golf courses. Perhaps go with the Social Nine with the kids for the day. Also, with sandy beaches all around the resort, enjoy a swim in the lake or head to Marina. Here they will set you up with something sure to keep your adventure going. You can get a kayak, canoe, paddle boat, stand-up paddle board, or even a paddle bike to take on the lake. If you’re feeling adventurous, then water skiing lessons are available at Madden’s Ski School.

Madden’s Lodging Accommodations

There is a multitude of options everywhere you look at Madden’s, especially when it comes to deciding where to sleep. From the Madden Inn to the Golf Villas, each has their own facet of luxury. For early risers, enjoy a cup of coffee while soaking in the view from the Sunrise Villas. If you are more of a night owl, then have a glass of wine and take in the breathtaking sight in the Sunset Villas. I stayed in the new Voyageur Suites where each suite has a spacious bathroom and beautiful private patio. The patio was great to enjoy the sunset views of the lake. Sleeping on that King Size bed in the room had to have been one of the best nights of sleep I’ve ever had. Especially after a long day of exploring the trail and resort activities.

At Madden's you will always find a helpful smile, like when placing an order for a fresh-baked lunch or dinner at Parfecto Pizza at the resort.

At Madden’s you will always find a helpful smile, like when placing an order for a fresh Parfecto Pizza at the resort.

While I can’t promise that you’ll find love or get better at dancing, I can assure you that you’ll find something to love on and off the bike trails when staying here at Madden’s. It’s the perfect place for your Next Bike Adventure.

A Luxury Bike Vacation at the Leech Lake B & B

Emily Stocker, HaveFunBiking.com

When looking for a luxury bike vacation on your next Minnesota getaway consider giving Gary and Sandra a call, for a little slice of heaven. Tucked in the trees along the shoreline of Leech Lake is a peaceful and beautiful home away from home, at the Leech Lake Bed & Breakfast. This lakefront lodge, located North of Walker, MN is the perfect place to stay for a relaxing vacation, spring, summer or fall, in luxury at fair price.

The Leech Lake B & B Suites

The Leech Lake Bed & Breakfast makes you feel right at home as soon as you walk in. With Northwoods themed rooms, any of their suites would be a wonderful place to stay.

A relaxing sight from the Harbor View Suite, at Leech Lake B & B.

A relaxing sight on your luxury bike vacation, from the Harbor View Suite at Leech Lake B & B.

I got a sneak peak at the Up North and Harbor View suites. The Harbor View suite has a large window overlooking the lake with a comfy couch to spend hours on, soaking in the view with a good book. Gary says, ” the majority of people that stay in that suite hardly leave the couch and usually take breakfast in their room, just to enjoy the view”.

A luxury bike vacation at a Fair Price

The B&B here is situated on the Paul Bunyan Trail and close to the Heartland Trail to plan some wonderful biking adventures. The Heartland Trail was the first rails-to-trails in the world and connects to the Paul Bunyan. If you don’t have a bike or don’t want to bring yours along, Gary and Sandra have bikes you can borrow, included with the room cost. Gary will even map out where the best sights are on the trail. He also can recommend where to go depending the length and level of a ride (your preference).

Other Activities

On your next luxury bike vacation relax on the deck near the Leech Lake B & B fire pit with a lake view.

The B & B ensures that you have fun on your luxury bike vacation. With 24 boats to choose from (seven included with your room) you can spend time on the lake when not biking. So whether it’s by kayak, canoe, or a stand-up paddleboard, you are sure to have a good time exploring the lake. For the golfers out there, get a 25% discount at two of the local golf course by staying at the Leech Lake Bed & Breakfast. If you want to stay in and relax for a night, they have a DVD collection for you to choose from. Another option is to enjoy the bonfire on their patio or spend some time in any of the comfy chairs they have on the back lawn overlooking the lake. You could also spend time reading on the “island” at the end of the dock.

The Food

In the words of Gary, “if we don’t have good beds and we don’t have a breakfast they’re gonna make us change the sign out front.” While I did not get to taste the breakfast, the guests raved about it.

Enjoy a special Leech Lake B & B breakfast before your day of fun.

Enjoy one of the special Leech Lake B & B breakfasts before your day of fun.

All of the guests have access to a large shared refrigerator as well as the 24-hour coffee, tea, and treat bar. Besides the expected variety of teas at this bar, they also have homemade spiced chai that Gary and Sandra make themselves. To help you decide where to get lunch or dinner, Sandra has collected menus from all of the local restaurants.

So the next time you are in the Walker area looking for a place to stay, look no further than the Leech Lake Bed & Breakfast for a luxury bike vacation. It’s a little slice of heaven right on Leech Lake.

Blazing Star Trailhead dedication extends trail closer to Austin

In Southern Minnesota, the Blazing Star Trail Head dedication and celebration, in Hayward, MN, will take place this Sunday, July 17, near Albert Lea. After the ceremony the contractors will start construction on the last two miles of the extension. This will be starting in Hayward, MN and going west, near Albert Lea Lake.

The Hayward/Blazing Star Trail Head Celebration

The dedication and fun begins next Sunday, at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Hayward City Park, located about four miles east of Albert Lea. Throughout the afternoon kids from four to ninety will enjoy the events planned. These include games, bike/walk events, lemonade and root beer floats, and prizes.

Blazing Star to the Mississippi

A bridge over Albert Lea Lake is still necessary to connect the trail from Hayward, west to Albert Lea. Also, at this time there is no specific date to extend the trail from Hayward to Austin. However, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resouces (DNR) is scheduling meetings to discuss possible options. Eventually the trail is planned to cross the Albert Lea Lake adjacent to a Canadian Pacific Railroad bridge, then go through Hayward and extend to Austin.

According to DNR reports, the trail will eventually connect Albert Lea to Austin and the Shooting Star. Once the trail reaches Austin, it would be about 20 miles long. With long term goals set, someday bicyclists will have the ability to ride from Albert Lea, east to the Mississippi River.

About Albert Lea

Known as the “Land Between the Lakes,” Albert Lea is nestled between Albert Lea Lake and Fountain Lake. Geographically located at the crossroads of Interstate I-90 and Interstate 35W, in southern Minnesota, this charming community is about 90 miles south of the Twin Cities. Today you will find a relaxing setting to bike with family and friends while enjoying some of southern Minnesota’s hospitality. For more information contact the Albert Lea Tourism Center.

More Places To Ride

Find many more bike friendly places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Bike Pic July 8, ice cream smiles Friday!

Enjoying an ice cream treat at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake, after a bike ride on the trails around Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes Area. Madden’s is a full-service resort offering access to all the local bike trails, challenging golf courses, water sports, fine dining, and more.

Find many more bike friendly places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB).

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic July 7, Black Bike Week ready to roll

The Black Bike Week Twin Cities is ready to roll with events scheduled July 10, through July 17, 2016. This will be a week of Advocacy, education and inspired riding to build awareness and highlight the contributions to building Bike Culture and to supporting an active lifestyle in the African American community.

The week-long celebration is presented by The Cultural Wellness Center, The North Minneapolis Bicycle Advocacy Council, Nice Ride MN, The Minneapolis Bike Coalition, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition and the My Bike Project.

Black Bike Week Events To Take-In

Please see Facebook events each day for more details.

Sunday, July 10
Bike to Open Streets Downtown Minneapolis from NorthPoint

Monday, July 11
Bike to Work Day/Week

Tuesday, July 12 Roll at 6:00 pm
Nice Ride Neighborhood River Flats Ride from Venture North
Special guest: Ayesha McGowan
1830 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Wednesday, July 13
Black Bike Week – All Women’s Ride – special guest Ayesha McGowan. Roll at 6:15 sharp
Post ride reception at the Sheraton Midtown Greenway 8:15pm

Black Bike Week – All Women’s Ride – special guest Ayesha McGowan. Roll at 6:15
Freewheel Midtown Greenway Bike Center

Thursday, July 14 7:30 am
Breakfast at Birchwood – Tour de France!
3311 E 25th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Slow Roll Twin Cities – North Roll at 6:30 pm
Wirth Park Main Golf Building
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway

Major Taylor Track Night – Special Guest Nelson Vails
The National Sports Center Velodrome

Friday, July 15
An Evening with Nelson Vails
Nelson Vails Documentary –
The Capri Theatre
2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Reception 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Movie 7:15
Q and A 8:30 pm

Saturday, July 16
Rondo Days Family Fun Ride and Nice Ride Neighborhood Ride – 6 miles
10:00 am 270 Kent N. Kent St., Saint Paul, MN 55102

Major Taylor Club Ride, 35 miles, Special guest Nelson Vails
9:00 am 270 Kent N. Kent St., Saint Paul, MN 55102

Sunday, July 17 Ride with Nelly 50 miles hosted by Major Taylor Bicycling Club of MN TBD

Please visit event waiver –
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-bike-week-2016-events-waiver-tickets-26413900688