Tag Archives: bike event

Eagle watch bike tour makes it easy to view along the Mississippi River

Keep an eye out for the eagles and their nests on the inaugural Eagle Watch Bike Tour on Saturday, May 8, 2021. It’s a family-friendly bike event exploring the Point Douglas Trail between Hastings, MN, and Prescott, WI. Enjoy biking this 5.5-mile trail (11 miles round trip), spotting eagles, and exploring two historic downtowns.

Here is what you need to know about the Eagle Watch Bike Tour

There are trial options for all skill levels. Check out the bike map posted in the comments to decide what trail you would like to explore. Keep an eye out for the eagle nests!

Register for one of the four-time slots from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Then on the day of the event, check-in at either the Prescott, WI location (The Clocktower – 23 Broad St) or the Hastings, MN (The Confluence Deck – 200 2nd St W) location.

Both starting points will have local organizations that can provide additional information about the area, additional trail riding opportunities, and the natural habitat along the way.

This event is hosted by The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Carpenter Nature Center, The City of Hastings, and Great River Road Visitors and Learning Center at Freedom Park.

Eagle Watch Bike Tour Shirts can be purchased now through April 22nd on the Nine Eagles promotions website at https://eaglewatch2021.itemorder.com/. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes. Once ordered, select to have your shirt(s) shipped to you or pick them up before the ride. Questions? Contact Nine Eagles Promotions in Hastings at (651) 437-5077

Get outdoors this spring and enjoy two river towns at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix River!

Bike Pic June 29, Not A Race, Tour D Amico Is A 4th of July Fun Ride

Tour D Amico is not a bike race. Its just a fun 4th of July cycling event that guarantees that everyone who participates has fun riding a scenic route with a delicious Italian picnic served at the end.

Get into the zone and plan your next bike outing with family and friends at one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Tour D Amico’ Pic of the Day!

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to 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 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 use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage 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, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, 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. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Aug 23, the K’ul Chocolate team knows coffee comes first

History shows coffee comes first and was discovered long before the bicycle. So a cup of java should be first in the order of things to start ones day. Thanks to a number of reports and legends surrounding coffee, the first users of this stimulating refreshment goes back to the 10th century. Where as the earliest bicycle, the German draisine, only dates back to 1817. So, thanks to the K’ul Chocolate team for bringing this fact to our attention, on a shirt, at the North Star Bike Festival Races, in Stillwater, MN this summer.

As coffee comes first and you enjoy that perfectly brewed cup of Peace Coffee, maybe paired with a piece of K’ul Chocolate, please page through all the bike friendly places to explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike 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. 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 Pic Aug 11, riding to Open Streets Minneapolis

Family bicycle fun riding to Open Streets Minneapolis. Of the nine Open Streets scheduled this year, your next chance to attend one of these free public gatherings is on August 21st. in the Franklin Avenue area. At each Open Streets event in the Twin Cities enjoy miles of safe, car-free roads so both residents and visitors can walk, bike, shop, participate in spontaneous play activities and get to know one another.

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

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

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 we continue to showcase more fun cycling destinations – we hope the photos are worth a grin as you scroll through the information and stories we have posted.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that you would like to see us post the fun they are having? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please include a brief caption (of each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 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 both Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to ride, please review the Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – And check out the MN Bike Guide now mobile friendly and as we go into our 8th year of production.

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

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 20, miles of smiles Sunday!

Even though the Twin City Tour de Cure Bike Ride is on the first Saturday in June, we couldn’t resist using this photo to kick off our ‘Miles of Smiles Sunday’ series here at HaveFunBiking. The picture was taken last year in Minnehaha Park, by Coppersmith Photographers. Find out how you can help raise awareness about Diebetees and join all the fun at the 2016 Tour de Cure, on June 4th.

See more events, 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 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!

Bike Pic – Sept. 17, MPLS Grand Round

Riding across the Stone Arch Bridge on the 2014 Minneapolis Bike Tour. This year’s ride is Sunday, September 20th.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking, hope you enjoy the photo.

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and post more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to help you find your next adventure. Then, if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute, or at an event you plan to attend with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where camera will be and what we will posted next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? 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 at least 620 pixels wide for us to post. If we 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 bike guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated, at-a-glance information, and maps we are known for in the Destination section of our website. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile device. Plus, beginning September 2015, this year’s e-version of the Guide will move to quarterly editions where you may see some additional bike pics posted.

Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in a pic to post!

A Day of Bikes, Beer and Fun, Tour de Fat Minneapolis

Don’t miss this day for crazy costumes, bikes, eclectic entertainment and New Belgium libations Tour de Fat. They claim it is one of the best ways to celebrate the summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and beer.

Riders in the Tour de Fat parade down the Nicolett Mall, Minneapolis. (2014)

New Belgium Brewing’s 16^th Annual Tour de Fat is coming back to Loring Park, in Minneapolis, Saturday, July 25 for another year of fun. The best part, the daylong event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to Twin Cities-area non-profits. This year, all funds raised in Minneapolis will go to Midtown Greenway Coalition, Minnesota Off Road Cycling (MOCA) and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN).

Riders returning from the Tour de Fat parade for some fun.(2014)

Each year Tour de Fat friends, family and neighbors are all invited to come enjoy eclectic entertainment, brewing education, a bicycle revival and even a fashion show of the best Tour de Fat costumes. In the afternoon, the stages heat up with acts like the Transatlantique Kriek’s.

At 11 am, the event kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets. The parade begins and ends in Loring Park where the rest of the day’s entertainment shines from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festivalgoers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.

Enjoy some of the food after the Tour de Fat parade. (2014)

Throughout the day, kids of all ages can ride funky bikes in the bike corral, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Summer Helles, the brand new year-round offering, Snapshot Wheat, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.

Tour de Fat Tentative Schedule:

Date: Saturday, July 25

Location: Loring Park

Entertainment/ Revivalation:

10:00 a.m. Parade Registration
11:00 a.m. Parade Start
12:00 p.m. Lips Lounge Tapping: La Folie, Hop Tart, Cocoa Mole
1:00 p.m. Lips Lounge Tapping: Pear Ginger
2:00 p.m. Lips Lounge Tapping: Carnie’s Blood
3:00 p.m. Lips Lounge Tapping: TRANSATLANTIQUE KRIEK

Visit New Belgium Brewing for the most up to date schedule latest beer selection.

Local Bike Shops and Greg LeMond Sling Wrenches this Tuesday

Twin City bike shops and race teams sling wrenches with Greg LeMond this coming Tuesday, November 11th, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. If you have time come to Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K’s) charity event for an evening of fun while volunteering to clean or wrench on some of the thousands of bikes donated, come check out the action.

Battling for the coveted trophy, that has been passed around the last couple years; the award is made from bicycle parts

Cheer on 3-time Tour de France champion, Greg LeMond, who is coming out of retirement for one more race on a 20″ Barbie bike –showing his blinding speed, jam-packed sprints and tassels. Throughout the evening Greg will challenge wrench-slinger-shootout bike mechanics and techies from United Healthcare Pro Cycling, Tonka Cycle & Ski, Freewheel Bike, Maple Grove Cycling and Penn Cycle. So get there early, help clean or repair some bikes for a while and watch the fun!

Enjoy food available from the taco truck, while sipping some local craft brews as you help, visit and watch the wrenching competition. For those that enter the evening’s raffle, you will have a chance to win three great prizes: a new Fat Tire Bike or your choice of any one of the 5,000 bikes in the FB4K’s warehouse.

If you can’t attend this Event, please donate here at: https://fb4k.com/donate/financial-donation/

Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a passionate group of cyclists who love giving as much as riding. It’s their goal to help every child feel the joys and freedom of riding his or her first bike. Through our bike philanthropy method, we aim to help our communities grow stronger and closer through the power of cycling. On October 11th, with help from Allina Health, they collected 5,000 bikes and have until December 5th to clean and refurbish all of them. To date, 1,500 are completed which means that there are approximately 3,500 to complete in a little over three weeks!

Help to make sure each kid has a bike before Christmas

Warehouse location is at: 5736 Main St. NE, Minneapolis, 55432 (right off of University Ave. and 694)

Warehouse/volunteer hours: M-Th 9-9, Fri/Sat 9-6 and Sun 12-6. Shifts are scheduled in 3-hour blocks but they can be flexible to accommodate schedules. Registration at: www.fb4k.org/volunteer. Please note- once you enter your information, you’ll be brought to the calendar screen where you can see available volunteer slots for each shifts.

A Wild Ride, Family Fun MTN Bike Festival

Join the fun at the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival coming Saturday, October 4^th, at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, in Eagan, Minnesota. This fun-filled event is made possible through Dakota County Parks, a partnership with the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC), local area bike shops, businesses and organizations.

MORC and local bike shops at the 2013 Festival

In its second year this festive event will introduce new riders to the sport and for the avid mountain biker a chance to ride on one of Minnesota’s best mountain bike trail systems. Lebanon offers nearly 12 miles of single-track challenges, and on October 4th everyone will have the opportunity to demo the newest bikes on the market.

The Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is a family-friendly, free event. However, Dakota Co. Parks would like those interested in attending to pre-register online or by calling 952-891-7000 during standard business hours. The fun on October 4, begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. with many activities for the whole family.

Scheduled activities include Build Your Skills Sessions, Gear Talk Sessions, Fix-It Clinics and live music by Twin Cities bluegrass band Sans Souci. Throughout the day there will be bike tune-ups, kids activities, timed competitive events, group rides and a VIP Lounge presented by Freewheel Bike. Food and beverage, including beer and wine will be available for purchase on-site by Green Mill.

There will be plenty of new bikes from Felt, Giant, KHS, Specialized and Trek to demo at this year’s festival. With factory rigs there with brand new Mountain, Road and Cyclocross models to test ride on the mountain bike trails, a skills park and nearby bike paths. All demo rides are free, but may require you to bring your helmet, credit card and driver’s license to demo bikes. Along with MORC, sponsors include Penn Cycle, Erik’s Bike and Board, Trek, Freewheel Bike, Valley Bike and Ski and Health Source Chiropractic.

Parking is free but limited at the West Trailhead lot. Overflow event parking is available at the School of Environmental Studies (12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Road) located just South of the West Trailhead entrance. Additional street parking can be found in neighborhoods near the park.

This is a rain or shine event. Dakota County Parks will have a large canopy tent on-site to keep people dry if it does rain. Severe weather or lightening may postpone or cause events to be rescheduled later in the day. If wet trail conditions close the mountain bike trails, nearby paved trails and the old gravel parking lot are available for test-riding bikes. Check the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page for hour-by- hour updates in the event of severe weather the day of the Festival.

Visit the Dakota County Parks Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival page for more information or call the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 651-554-6530.