Welcome. We're your premier source for fun places to explore by bicycle or on foot. Offering guides, maps and articles on road and trail riding for the novice to seasoned cyclist - helping you find your #NextBikeAdventure
This bike pic Saturday, we thought we would have some otter fun, as temps start to drop here in the upper Midwest. Hopefully with colder weather ice will become safer for many outdoor activities we all enjoy.
This Otter on a Bike sculpture pic was captured a few year ago west of Monticello in a park along the Minnesota section of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT).
So, adjust to the above-normal temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.
Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic
Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.
Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.
As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile-friendly in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.
Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.
It’s that time of the year again and what better way to go to the “Great Minnesota Get Together” then by bike and parking in one ot the three, free bicycle corrals there. Riding from home or drive/park a few miles away and multi-modal commuting with your bike can take a lot of the hassle factor out of visiting the fair. It is also a great way to burn-off those extra calories from all of the fun things you may want to indulge in, on a stick.
Your bike can be a hassle -free way to get to the Minnesota State Fair
It is probably the fastest and most inexpensive way to get to the fair, riding your bike. If you don’t live near the fair, a multi modal commute is another fun option. Drive your car, with your bike(s) along and park it in one of the St Paul neighborhoods, close by. Then bike in on one of the city’s designated bike routes. Use this St Paul map along with Google Maps, to plan your route to get to the fair.
Riding your bike is probably the fastest way to get to the fair.
Planning on riding your bike to the fair? From On August 23rd, through Labor Day, August 3rd, cyclists who commute by a pedal bike to the fair, from 6 a.m. to midnight, each day will find three secure bike locations. They are located at:
West Bike Lot: Randall Ave-Buford Gate (#16). For cyclist coming from Minneapolis and the western suburbs, this is a handy location and in the past has the most options for parking and convenience.
North Bike Lot: Hoyt-Snelling Gate (#2) For cyclist coming from north Metro, this is a handy location and in the past has had more options for parking and convenience than the South Bike lot.
South Bike Lot: Como-Snelling Gate (#6) the most popular location, this bike corral fille fast especially on weekends.
Another option is to take one of the free shuttle buses from a satellite parking lot. Allow one to two hours each way for this option.
Bike related things to do and see at the Minnesota State Fair
The lighted spurs clip to your shoes so you are more visible when riding your bike.
Now that you are in the fair grounds and walking around here are some bike related ideas you might like to see. Need some lights to lite up your bike shoes for more visibility at night; Maybe a new Minnesota Bike Map from MnDOT; or the latest on e-Fat Bikes? It all at the Minnesota State Fair.
Pick up one of the last few remaining 2018 MN Bike/Hike Guides at the DNR Info Center.
For the newest gizmo in bike safety and awareness, check out the clip on safety lights for your shoes while biking, See them in a booth under the Grand Stand. Need the newest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, in hard copy paper format? Head on over to the DNR Info Center. For the Minnesota Bike Map? You will find a paper copy, free of charge, right below the big bike hanging from the ceiling in the Eco Building.
In the Creative Activities Building we found this clock. Congratulation Brad Kacter, from Shoreview, MN.
In the Ag-Horticulture Building last year we found this grain art piece. Congratulation Darlene Thorud, of Bloomington, MN. I wonder what bike art will be present this year?
Like parades?
Each day at 2 p.m. on Cosgrove Street you can watch the Minnesota State Fair Parade. If you are lucky you might see the Twin Cities Unicyclists Club preforming. These single wheeled bicyclists always do some fun tricks as they pedal along the parade route. Besides the cyclists, you will see many different floats and marching bands. As the parade ends near the Eco Progress Center you can check out the “Life on a Bike Simulator” that’s right inside.
World’s biggest bike and activities within the Eco Progress Center
CHECK THE LATEST IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EXHIBITS IN THE ECO PROGRESS CENTER.
Also, within the Eco Building check out the coalition of state agencies and private organizations whose goal is to get more people on bikes more often in Minnesota. Also check out the new Kick Gas exhibit with the “World’s Biggest Bike” hanging from the ceiling. You can hop onto a regular bike on the ground below, pedal and watch the gigantic 8-foot bike wheels turn above you. Also learn what you can do with all the extra t-shirts you have been accumulating and make grocery bags out of them. See more on the Eco buildings schedule and opportunities here. While there enjoy a sample of the latest coffee or tea at the Peace Coffee station.
Like fun action biking stunts?
Up in the X-Zone, on Machinery Hill in their new location (Murphy Ave and CosGrove St); watch some The Ride Factory preform some high-rising stunts, right in front of you, on the amazing exhibition course there.
Watch the Ride Factory preform some high-rising stunts right in front of you.
Fun foods at the Minnesota State Fair to try
A favorite MN Fair food, the Tipsy Pie made with caramelized onions, gouda cheese and infused with brown ale was a hit last year.
Every year there are many fun and wacky foods entrees to try at the fair. This year is no exception looking at this list. Item that caught my attention that I might have to taste included:
Download the Minnesota State Fair App. It’s absolutely free and features their famous Food Finder, Fun Finder and Merch Search tools to help you find your favorites at The Great Minnesota Get-Together. Available now absolutely free at the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
Hope this helps you for your 2018 visit to the Minnesota State Fair. Please let us know, if we missed something you think we should add it to this preview article. Please leave a comment below.
In Minneapolis, the 2015 edition of ARTCRANK MSP features their biggest and best artist line-up ever – and admission is free. With everything bike related the events roster of illustrators, designers, and artists will show their new collection of limited-edition, handmade, bike-inspired posters that they are proud to share with the Twin Cities and the world.
The Opening Night Party, June 6th, will be hosted by Fulton Brewing at 2540 2nd Street, in Northeast Minneapolis, from 4 to 10 p.m. Then the Hamilton Ink Spot , at 375 Wabasha Street north, in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, will host an extended run of the show Friday, June 12, through Saturday, June 27th.
This will be their ninth show in Minneapolis and they’re pulling out all the stops to make it the biggest and best bike art party ever. Besides the best bike art and beer that the Twin Cities has to offer. See their fun video of art posters here.
Here is what else you can look forward to at Fulton Brewing on opening night:
A portion of the proceeds from all beer sales at the show will be donated to Musella Foundation, a nonprofit public charity dedicated to helping brain tumor patients through emotional and financial support, education, advocacy and raising money for brain tumor research, in memory of ARTCRANK artist and friend, Aaron Purmort.
ARTCRANK would also like to give a special thanks to French Paper Co., McIntosh Embossing, and Colle McVoy designer Sam Soulek for their contributions to our 2015 MSP Show Poster.
Please check back for updates, and follow ARTCRANK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest news. And if you’d like to see photos and videos from previous events, connect with them Flickr and Vimeo as well.
