Tag Archives: Apple Valley

Bike pic Sat, bike sale Benefits Kids ‘n Kinship Program

Rick’s gently used, 15th annual bike sale in Apple Valley, MN, happens today, May 13th. All sales proceeds benefit the Kids ‘n Kinship Program.

Over 300 bike were available for Rick's annual sale, in Apple Valley.

Over 450 bikes at Rick’s annual sale are for sale this year.

The bike sale offers a great selection of bicycles you can afford

Our 15th annual bike sale is coming up on May 13, 2023, from noon to 4 PM at Superior Service Center, 14580 Glenda Drive, Apple Valley.  Through the first 14 sales, we have raised over $439,000 for Kids ‘n Kinship and DARTS.  As If you or a family member are in the market for a bike, you will get a first look at the 450 adult and youth bikes.  I  hope to see you there.

Check their website, ricksbikesale.com, for all the details and who they are, and what we do.

Happy biker trying out one of the many bikes at the sale.

A happy biker trying out one of the many bikes at Rick’s sale.

Rick 3

Kids ‘n Kinship is a private non-profit organization that matches children who have a need for an additional supportive relationship with carefully screened adult volunteers.  Once a match has been made, volunteers spend 1-4 hours per week with the child.  Typical activities might include picnicking, attending sporting events, sharing interests, or going to the movies.

Minnesota may be one step closer to micro-mobility with biking

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking

As more Minnesotans search for fun, eco-friendly transportation options, several communities around the state are updating or developing their bike share infrastructure to make micro-mobility happen. Apple Valley, Bemidji, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud are just a few examples of the towns upgrading their bike-friendly programs. Minneapolis is collaborating with neighboring communities to make the Twin Cities area the perfect place to practice micro-mobility. Especially with the E-bike Challenge and the global initiative of 30-Days of Biking returning.

30 Days of Biking promotes the micro-mobility experience.

30 Days of Biking works with E-bike Challenge for micro-mobility

Encouraging more people to consider riding a bicycle, especially for short errands, the 30-Days of Biking pledge runs through April. With the E-bike Challenge back at the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 2nd & 3rd. This year’s event will again offer visitors a comfortable setting to compare and ride the latest in e-bike technology on a mammoth test track there. Demonstrating carbon-free options for running those short errands, hauling cargo, or commuting to work without working up a sweat. So, what exactly is micro-mobility, you ask?

The term micro-mobility broadly refers to individuals who use any type of human-powered vehicle, including bicycles, roller blades, scooters, etc. And now, with the rise of EV technology, the definition has evolved, accepting electric motor assistance for bicycles and scooters. Though it still excludes devices with internal combustion engines or top speeds above 28 mph. or 45 km. Making this mode of transportation perfect for health and ecological purposes.

About the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan

Enjoy the micro-mobility experience for those short trips.

According to Minneapolis and their Transportation Action Plan, over 30% of the trips people take in the city are less than three miles. Sometimes these trips feel a little too far to walk but are not long enough where it is practical to take the bus or drive. Bicycles and other low-power micro-mobility options, such as electric-assist bicycles and scooters, are ideal for these short trips. This MPLS plan also shares that over two-thirds of residents report that they often or sometimes ride a bike to get to school, visit parks, or run errands.

Minneapolis’s commitment attracts European bicycle fair organizer

And Move Minneapolis says, “With the popularity of e-bikes soaring, they are some of the best sustainable commute solutions today. Bicycles, including e-bikes, allow for adequate social distancing and provide a great way to travel while taking in some much-needed fresh air.” This commitment from the city’s leaders is what attracted Hicle, Inc., the organizers of hike and cycle fairs in Europe, to bring the first E-bike Challenge to Minneapolis in 2019.

Compare and test ride many brands at the Challenge.

E-bike Challenge returns the first weekend in April

Now, with the Omicron-fueled surge, on the decline, the E-bike Challenge returns the first weekend in April. Offer consumers a comfortable environment to compare and ride the latest e-bikes. There are several social distancing procedures around the exhibit area next to the enormous indoor test track. Visitors will also discover why most trips within a 10-mile range can be less expensive with an e-assist vehicle, even if they can’t replace a car entirely. And, in many cases, taking less time than a carbon-fueled vehicle for the same journey.

Enjoy the E-bike Challenge, a micro-mobility experience.

E-bike brands at the Challenge

Some e-bike brands already registered for the E-bike Challenge include Giant, GoCycle, Serial 1 by Harley Davidson, Pedego, Riese & Muller, and Skyl Power Bikes. Along with Erik’s Bikes, Now Bikes, Power Bikes, and Trailhead Cycle, to name a few of the local bike shops with brands they carry. The event will also feature several breakout health and tech sessions, a kids’ bike test track, and other fun family activities. Plus, visitors will receive a complimentary 2022 Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, full of bicycling maps of popular Minnesota destinations to explore, at the door.

For more information about the E-bike Challenge in Minneapolis on April 2 & 3, visit www.ebikechallenge.com.

Ride with Mayor Mary on Sept. 10 for the Tour de Apple Valley and get your ‘One of a Kind’ Finishers Medal.

Bike Pic Sept 8, Ride with Mayor Mary at Tour de Apple Valley – Saturday

Ride in the 3rd Annual Tour de Apple Valley with Mayor Mary and the Firefighters of Apple Valley, MN, Saturday, September 10th. Climb the Palomino Alps. Concur the Cul de Diamond Path. Circle Lac Cobblestone. Parade through Downtown Apple Valley finishing at Kelly Park. Collect your well earned ‘One of a Kind’ Finishers Medal. After the Tour de Apple Valley, stay for Food, Refreshments, and Music!

See many more bike friendly events and places to explore, in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide

Thanks for viewing the Tour de Apple Valley Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking. 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While showcasing all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more place to have fun we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing the guide.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. And don’t forget to smile, while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next photos that we post daily.

Have a great day!

Bike Sale Benefits Youth Program in Dakota County

In the first seven years over $50,000 has been donated and cycling enthusiast Rick Anderson, of Apple Valley, Minn. is ready for his 8th annual Bike sale this Saturday. Benefiting the Dakota County Kids ‘n Kinship mentoring program, this year’s sale is scheduled for May 14th, from 9 a.m.  to 1 p.m. at Rick’s home at, 12738 Ethelton Way, in Apple Valley.

Rick Anderson with a wide assortment of bikes ready for the sale.

Rick Anderson with a wide assortment of bikes ready for the sale.

Throughout the year, Rick gathers donated bikes, tunes them up, and sells them at his annual sale with all proceeds going directly to Kids ‘n Kinship. This year there will be bikes for sale ranging in price from $50 to $450, with models available for all ages and skill levels, including a few top end bikes.  Cash donations are also accepted on site for Kids n’ Kinship.

Rick’s passion for biking, mentoring children, and finding great deals gave him the idea to locate inexpensive or donated bikes, fix them up, and sell them with all the proceeds going to Kids’ n Kinship.  In his previous five sales, Rick has fixed, sold, and donated more than 500 bikes and generously donated the proceeds to this wonderful Dakota County community program.

“Everybody Wins,” states Rick.  Garages are cleared of old bikes, a great local organization receives a generous donation, and riders can pick up a well tuned bike for a fraction of what it would cost new. So get there early, the bikes go fast!

Please feel free to contact Rick with any additional questions at:   [email protected]  or 952-240-3820

Kids ‘n Kinship is a private non-profit organization that matches children who have a need for an additional supportive relationship with carefully screened adult volunteers.  Once a match has been made, volunteers spend 1-4 hours per week with the child.  Typical activities might include picnicking, attending sporting events, sharing interests or going to the movies.

Bike Pic March 16, riding safely on city streets

Here Jeff Milbauer, with Valley Bike & Ski, in Apple Valley, MN and a League of American Bicyclist Instructor (LCI) with the Bike Alliance of Minnesota is giving this young cyclist a few pointers on riding safely on streets.

See all the MN LCI’s in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, on page 72.

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

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media 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 camera’s 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!