This 3rd Annual bicycle tour celebrates the Mississippi River, the state of Minnesota, and the communities we travel through via the Mississippi River Trail Bikeway (MRT). The MRT is also part of US Bicycle Route 45. Minnesota features the river’s headwaters and over 800 miles of MRT, which totals nearly 3,000 miles and touches 10 states until it ends at the Gulf of Mexico. We will kick off the ride with a welcome reception and history overview by a local naturalist at Itasca State Park. On our departure morning we will dip our tires at the headwaters, and then begin our journey crisscrossing the Mississippi River numerous times as we bicycle through a variety of communities that will welcome us to their local parks, people, history, unique features, and folklore.
This Tour costs $800 and includes:
** 39 – 77 miles/day for a total of 460 miles
**Camping with bathrooms and showers – Rejuvenate in St. Paul w/hotel add $75pp
**“Supported Camping Option” – let us set up camp for you
**Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day – except dinner in St. Paul
**Luxury motorcoach ride to Itasca
**SAG support and gear transport
**NEW! Maps uploadable to phone with RideWithGPS
**Two rest stops each day with fruit, snacks, Gatorade and water
**Headwaters Welcome Reception at Itasca State Park
**Entrance fee, historical location, guest speaker, or entertainment each day
**NEW! “Welcome to LaCrosse” River Paddleboat Cruise & Pizza Party
**NEW! Amtrak Empirebuilder scenic ride and return to St. Paul
**Fix-It-Station in camp to keep your bike running smoothly
**Hotel option available with luggage drop off/pick up – additional baggage fee
**Ride limited to 32 people