Three-day bike tour explores Minnesota’s Bluff Country

If you have ridden your bike on the Root River Trail and wondered what it would be like to tour the scenic roads there, join the Root River Trail Towns as they host the Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour. This three-day bike ride, July 8-10, 2016, will allow you to experience a fun filled weekend full of memories while riding with many new friends. Check out the details and register today!

Here a group of cyclists enjoy exploring the scenic roads by bike, that circle and cross the Root River Trail, in Southeast Minnesota's Bluff Country. Ride and explore the areas trail and roads, July 9 -11, 2016 on the Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour.

Here a group of cyclists enjoy exploring the scenic roads by bike, that circle and cross the Root River Trail, in Southeast Minnesota’s Bluff Country. Ride and explore the areas trail and roads, July 8 -10, 2016 on this bike tour.

With only 150-spots available, the tour leaves Whalan, Friday morning stopping first in Lanesboro. Then its  on some quite county paved roads that showcase the Bluff Country, at its best. Along the way see eagles and hawks soar above as you pedal along the contoured farmlands along the way. At your first stop you’ll visit Fountain and then its on to Preston for lunch. After exploring the National Trout Center, the bike tour then circles to the west, passing by ‘sink holes’ that feed area springs, on route to Harmony.  After arriving, learn about the Amish culture and take a tour of the Niagara Cave’s before an evening of fun and music.

Bike Bluff Country roads that cross the Root River Trail make the Bluff and Valley Bike Tour a fun ride to consider.

Bike Bluff Country roads that cross the Root River Trail make the Bluff and Valley Bike Tour a fun ride to consider.

On Saturday, after a hearty Bluff Country breakfast the tour turns east through the Amish countryside on the “Buggy Byway.” Along this section of the route you will see draft horses used to work the fields while many farmsteads along the way offer fresh baked goods, honey, produce and crafts. For lunch today the tour visits a Norwegian community known for its locally produces cane sugar soda pop and Scandinavian art figures – that you will want to take a selfie or two with. The afternoon route then circles to the north through another beautiful valley and coasts down into Houston. Highlights here include visiting the Owl Center, selfies with all the local bike art, followed by dinner, music and fun in the evening.

Just in time for the holidays this couple stop in front of Norsland Lefse, for a quick photo before going inside to sample the tasty Scandinavian delicacies there.

This bike couple stop in front of Norsland Lefse, for a quick pic and going inside to taste some Scandinavian delicacies.

After another  Bluff Country breakfast, Sunday morning, the tour heads north and rides the ridge west on the Root River’s north faced bluff -to Rushford. Highlights for your visit here will include visiting the historic Rushford Depot & Village Museum, sampling some locally produced lefse and having a selfie of yourself – as Ole or Lena. On the road again to the last Trail Town on the tour, you will enjoy a long meandering three-plus mile cruise without a pedal stroke, down into Peterson. Here, along with the interesting Norwegian museum, sample some of the best deserts available along the Root River Trail.

Here in Peterson, MN, a great bike rest stop, a group of cyclist, last summer, enjoyed a ice cream smiles moment.

Here in Peterson, MN, a popular bike rest stop a group of cyclist, last summer, enjoyed an ice cream smiles moment.

With both camping and lodging options available on this supported ride hosted by the Root River Trail Towns, see more information and registration here to guarantee your slot on one of the 150 spots available on the Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.

2 thoughts on “Three-day bike tour explores Minnesota’s Bluff Country

  1. Russ

    Hello

    Hills, hills, hills and more hills. Lots of walking.

    No thanks. Beautiful country though – in a car. I have the ridden the Root River trail many times. Nice and almost flat. No hills to walk up.

  2. Joe Kruchowski

    Hi Russ,
    My wife and I are interested in the Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour. I see that it is basically a camping tour. We can camp but don’t want to bring a bunch of unnecessary gear if we don’t have too.
    We will be traveling from St. Louis, Missouri. Can you tell me if you provide the tents or what we should be prepared to bring for sleeping, etc.? I guess I’m asking is what do the other folks do.
    The tour looks really nice!

    Thanks for any info you can provide,

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