Tag Archives: Biking Lakeville MN

Tour of Lakeville kicks off their fall art festival with free registration

Before the city’s 16th annual art festival, Saturday, September 21, enjoy the trails and bike lanes on the Tour of Lakeville. Registration is free thanks to the Lakeville Friends of the Environment, who will lead two rides of different lengths. Select between the 6 to 8-mile (kid-friendly) ride route or the 18 to 20-mile scenic bike trip on Lakeville’s trails and bike lanes. While touring Lakeville, gain a new perspective of the town’s beauty and closeness to nature, then enjoy the Art Festival.

Tour of Lakeville details

This year’s Tour of Lakeville starts and ends at Pioneer Plaza Park, a block north of where the Art Festival takes place. Pre-register at Lakeville Parks & Rec so you are ready to ride; it’s free. Remember to pump up your tires and bring a helmet and water bottle. Check-in starts at 9 a.m., and both rides leave at 9:30 a.m.

Your route choices

The 6-8-mile (kid and family-friendly) route is all on Lakeville’s paved trails.

The 18-20 mile route uses many quiet neighborhood streets that connect to trails meandering through new housing developments, parks, and wildlife areas. Enjoy the unique sculptures and art benches in several parks along the way, a highlight of the Lakeville art scene.

The Tour of Lakeville is a fun ride for all

Along the Tour ride, participants will discover many attractive segments of the community and many outdoor spaces that include:

  • Great views of Lake Marion as the tour passes the new outdoor performance pavilion in Casperson Park and the West Lake Marion Mountain Bike Trailhead.
  • The paved Juno Trail hugs the lake’s shoreline.
  • Views of the popular Antler’s Park, under construction and re-opening in the spring of 2024, with a swimming beach, picnic areas, volleyball, and horseshoes.
  • Enjoy listening to birds and seeing butterflies along the paved trail through the Steve Michaud Park-Conservation Area.
  • And more!

Don’t worry; no rider will be dropped on this family-friendly ride. However, all participants are expected to ride at a moderate pace so everyone can share their favorite ride stories after returning.

The 18-20 mile ride will last approximately two and a half hours. This time frame depends on the number of registered bikers and the route. Remember to pre-register so the ride has plenty of staff support – Thanks!

After the ride, make it a day at the Lakeville Art Festival

Take in the Lakeville Art Festival with over 90 artists exhibiting
Take in the Lakeville Art Festival, with over 90 artists exhibiting

Many consider this one of the finest art festivals in Minnesota. The Lakeville Art Festival is held annually on the third weekend in September. This year, the event will feature over 90 artists in an intimate and accessible setting. The artist booths are staged in a park-like atmosphere, allowing for a unique circular type arrangement to help showcase their work. Plus, many artists have scheduled demonstrations over the two days of the festival, September 21 & 22.

Another family-friendly highlight at the art festival is a stop at the “Young at Art” tent. This workshop area has plenty of art supplies, ideas, and experts to help the creative juices flow.

More on the new mountain bike trail in Lakeville

The Lakeville Cycling Association has constructed a mountain bike trail system on the west side of Lake Marion. Another family-friendly attraction, the new course, is approximately five miles long. The trail segments in the park allow plenty of fun features for beginning, intermediate, and advanced mountain bikers. This single-track, one-way trail system includes multiple switchbacks, berms, rollers, and fun for all to enjoy.

The new Lakeville mountain bike course is fun for the whole family.
The new Lakeville mountain bike course is fun for the whole family.

See the map for this new, year-round mountain bike trail system. You can access the trailhead in Casperson Park by parking in the gravel lot north of the soccer fields at 19720 Juno Trail. Watch for trail updates and trail conditions on the clubs’ Facebook page.

For those visiting the area who want to learn more about connecting from the area hotels to the trails and fun things to do when not riding, see the At-A-Glance Lakeville and their map.

Bike Pic Aug 27, a picture-perfect day for a ride, pedal safe!

This bike pic Saturday, with the perfect riding weather, enjoy driving your bike as if it were a car and obey the rules of the road or trail and keep a social distance from others.

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 in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking destinations. And now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic

Now rolling through our 18th 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 to the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

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, as we enter our 13th year of producing this handy 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 appearance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have a great day with a safe and memorable year ahead!

Ride your bike around Lakeville and discover its cycling treasures

Your vacation time is precious, and that’s not something Lakeville takes lightly. Located on the southside of the Twin Cities, the bike-friendly small town is the perfect getaway for those wanting a break from the big city noise.

In Lakeville, you can breathe in all the fresh Minnesota air you want as you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. Ride your bike along its many trails and loops, go for a nice hike, or just lay by the beach and soak in the rays (remember the sunscreen). And this is all within a bikeable distance.

More About Bike-Friendly Lakeville

One of the best parts about Lakeville is its location. It may feel as if you’re far away from the city, but you’re really only 30 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis. So even if its a last a minute getaway you need after a long week at work, Lakeville is ready to help you take your worries away.

You can also steer your bike into historic downtown Lakeville and discover its many locally-owned shops, restaurants, and more. And if you want to pair your tastebuds on this adventure, then check out the town’s local brewery and winery.

Riding options when visiting Lakeville

There are plenty of opportunities when pedaling around Lakeville. Its road and trail routes will help you get around town. And for off-road adventure checkout, the West Marion Lake Mountain Bike Trails with challenges for all skill levels. , and other easier trails taking you on a tour of the towns. No matter what kind of biker you are you’ll find a course path, full of nature and lakes, for your next adventure in Lakeville.

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

You don’t have to go far for some good mountain biking. Murphy-Hanrehan has a single-track section full of trails for all skill levels. The easy trail is just under one mile, the intermediate trail is just under 2.5 miles, and the advanced trail is nearly 7 miles. Also, the trails are connected so you can ride all three if you want to take on all levels.

Buck Hill Mountain Bike Skills Park

Buck Hill may be best known for its skiing, but the summer attracts the mountain bikers as well. It’s the perfect place for beginners, and there are even sections for those with more experience. Switching from trail to trail is easy as one connects to at least one of the others.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

The largest park in the Dakota County park system also has plenty of mountain biking. Located at the park’s West Trailhead, there are different areas for all skill levels. Each course features different obstacles for its level of difficulty. Riders will have to face challenges such as riding over a pile of logs, rocks, sharp turns, and more. Maps are located throughout the courses to help navigation.

Road Biking

Getting around on your bike in Lakeville is relatively easy as well, especially in historic downtown Lakeville. Most of the roads have a trail running alongside them so you don’t have to worry about sharing the road with motorists.

Ritter Farm Park for hiking

If you’re looking to get some walking miles in, but also want to take it easy, give the trails at Ritter Farm Park a try. Along the way, you’ll see colorful flowers and the trail connects to another trail that takes you along Marion Lake.

An At-A-Glance Look at Lakeville

Be sure to check out our At-A-Glance Lakeville Article for more details on where to stay, play, and explore for your hand-held devices. As this story and the At-A-Glance Article are mobile-friendly for your convenience, have fun!

Some of the best “Pics of 2017” at HaveFunBiking!

As we wait for the new year, page through some our posts here and in the HaveFunBiking Blog, on Facebook or Instagram. You will find plenty of fun pictures of cyclists enjoying 2017.

Enjoy the pics we captured below

winter riding

Fun is fat bike riding in the Minnesota River bottoms in Bloomington, MN, through the winter.

Fun Riding the Saint Paul Bicycle Classic.

Considering a bike commute as part of your routine, it might add a bit of brilliance to your next story as you share some of your successes.

Considering a bike commute as part of your routine, it might add a bit of brilliance to your next story as you share some of your successes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family fun riding across the U.S.

Bike touring season is in full swing here in Minnesota, Fergus Falls bike advocates line up dinner, accommodations and warm welcome to Ziemer Family.

Bike touring season is in full swing here in Minnesota and the Fergus Falls Bike Advocates arrange dinner, accommodations and warm welcome to the Ziemer Family this summer.

Lakeville Minnesota’s new mountain bike trail is a sweet ride!

If life were a mountain bike trail and Wheelie Wednesday helped smooth out your day-to-day ride or aided you in dropping into your sweet spot,

If life were a mountain bike trail and Wheelie Wednesday helped smooth out your day-to-day ride, have fun dropping into your sweet spot.

Ice Cream smiles from AAA Auto Club staff.

Its Ice Cream Smiles Sunday and here a couple AAA staff members tip a cone after spending the day introducing their new Roadside Service program for bikes, in Iowa

Its Ice Cream Smiles Sunday and here a couple AAA staff members tip a cone after spending the day introducing their new Roadside Service program for bikes, in Iowa.

Most agree that home-made country fresh pie is one of the best delicacies on a bike trip.

These lucky biker chicks found some desert samples at this table on the Root River Trail.These lucky biker chicks found some desert samples at this table on a Root River Taste of the Trail ride.

Winter fun is only a bunny hop away!

There are tons of exercises, drills and products to help you keep your fitness through the winter riding months.

There are tons of exercises, drills and products to help you keep you shape through the winter months, but we think some fat bike fun is still the best!

Sharing the road with another mode of transportation!

Fun biking in Southeast Minnesota's Amish Country on the Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour.

Fun biking in Southeast Minnesota’s Amish Country on the Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour.

Biking opportunities around the world

It is fun to take a European bike vacation to explore the Netherlands and their 100's of bicycle routes that follow the picturesque canals and rivers there.

It is fun to take a European bike vacation to explore the Netherlands and the 100’s of bicycle routes that follow the picturesque canals and rivers there.

Happy New Years, share your fun pics with us at [email protected].

With below normal temps snow is sticking throughout the upper half of Minnesota making it perfect for some fat bike fun as this biker chick demonstrates.

With below normal temps snow is sticking throughout the upper half of Minnesota making it perfect for some fat bike fun as this biker chick demonstrates.

View the new  National Bike Guide and view all the fun rides coming up in 2018.

Thanks for viewing some of our 2017 Pics

Now rolling into our 11th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While highlighting all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more destinations you can have fun at 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 latest  Bike Guide, mobile friendly as we enter into our 9th year of producing print and digital guides.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. Please share all our pic’s with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with a HFB camera ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. Capturing you in one of our next ‘Pic of the Day’ posts.

Have a great day and a memorable new year!

What better way to start your week than a Monday morning mountain bike ride in the woods.

Bike Pic June 12, A Monday Morning Mountain Bike Ride In The Woods

What better way to start your week then a Monday morning mountain bike ride in the woods for your #NextBikeAdventure. With warm, sunny summer weather ahead you will be glad you did.

Only in Minnesota you can ride portions of the upper Mississippi River Trail (MRT), enjoy the paths and trails around the states 10,000 lakes or hit one of the many mountain bike trails here. View more in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for Viewing Another Mountain Bike Ride 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!

Who says you can't go mountain bike riding with your road bike?

Bike Pic May 16, Mountain Bike Riding With Your Road Bike, a Boneshaker Experience

Who says you can’t go mountain bike riding, on the trail with your road bike? If you like riding a bone shaker down a cobble stone lanes or some of the city streets badly in need of repair, then have fun. Not recommended for reasons of agility or comfort we recently captured this Pic of a guy out in front of several traditional mountain bikers riding in Lebanon Park, near Lakeville, MN.

Also, view the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour. There are always fun, new rides coming up.

Thanks for Viewing the Mountain Bike Pic of the Day

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. Our goal is to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting 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 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.

Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure! 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 move while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day posts.

Have a great day!

This funny mountain biker is showing off some of his best facial features. This photo was shot at Penn Cycles Thursday Night Races on Buck Hill, near Lakeville, MN

Bike Pic Aug 27, funny mountain biker showing his best facial feature

This funny mountain biker is showing off some of his best facial features. This photo was shot at Penn Cycle’s Thursday Night Races on Buck Hill, near Lakeville, MN.

See 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 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 Jan. 17, fat bike riding opportunities around Lakeville

This photo shows a cyclist riding her fat bike while enjoying the wooded mountain bike trails near Lakeville, Minnesota.

See more about visiting this area with your bike at HFB At-a-Glance Lakeville.

 

#FindYourNextAdventure

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

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 present more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to 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 with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where our camera’s will be and what we will post 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 use them. 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 print and quarterly digital Bike/Hike Guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated – At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for in the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. 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 devices where you may see some additional bike pics – maybe of yourself 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!