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Raising awareness for biking in Mankato, Minn. on May 15th, the Rack & Roll Task Force celebrated the installation of 29 new bike racks with a ribbon cutting and Mayors’ Ride.
Demonstrating how other businesses in the community could become more bike friendly the Rack and Roll event was a success as it gained the attention of other companies in town. Helping more businesses in town step forward and sponsor additional rack installations in front of more places of business, along trails and in city parks.
Both, City of North Mankato Mayor Mark Dehen and Mankato Mayor Eric Anderson spoke at the event, declaring a joint proclamation for the Greater Mankato Bike Week celebrations. Each of them shared the importance of biking in Mankato. Eric Harriman, the director of the City Center Partnership, spoke to the benefits of being bike-friendly for a city’s economy. The Bike and Walk Advocates also spoke about the benefits of biking to businesses and residents in Mankato. See local news channel KEYC video.
Following the ribbon cutting, both Mayor Anderson and Mayor Dehen helped lead a Mayors’ Ride as a part of the Greater Mankato Bike and Walk week celebration.
The Rack & Roll Task Force was formed through the inspiration of the Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates and led by Visit Mankato with the purpose of establishing more bike parking in the cities of Mankato and North Mankato. The Rack & Roll Task Force is made up of representatives from the Greater Bike & Walk Advocates, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership, Twin Rivers Council for the Arts, City of Mankato and City of North Mankato.
The cities of Mankato and North Mankato are one of 11 communities throughout the state designated a Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycling is aligned with the city of Mankato’s sustainability efforts. Offering and encouraging options for efficient transportation, such as biking, walking and the city bus, is important for a sustainable future. See more at: www.visitmankatomn.com. *Information and photos provided by the Visit Mankato Tourism
Share your Bike Walk Week Celebration successes and stories here at HaveFunBiking.com. By sending your community accomplishments and stories to us we may help inspire other cities to become more bike friendly. Send to [email protected], thanks!
A family-friendly event the “Bears to Pedal” recreational bike ride is a fun day being planned with great food and entertainment as you roll across the finish line on your selected route. To be held on Sunday, June 22, in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Start time is 7 to 10 a.m. This fully supported ride offers three routes: a 4-mile Kiddy Ride, a 30-mile Intermediate tour and a 46-mile Champions Loop.
All rides will start and end at White Bear Lake Senior High School, South Campus, 3551 McKnight Road, in White Bear Lake, with free parking there. Before you start enjoy a coffee, rolls and lemonade. The 4-mile youth ride safely leads you to Joy Park where there is a tent set up for a rest stop, offering shakes. The two longer routes will leave the school and proceed through Maplewood and then Oakdale on roads that will be either closed to traffic or monitored by ride volunteers. All riders return to Lakewood City Park, in White Bear Lake for a light lunch and entertainment with a Dixieland Band.
The 30-mile route connects to the Gateway Trail and continues on the trail to its terminus at Pine Point Park north of Stillwater. The return to Lakewood City Park is along the Gateway Trail using a combination of local roads with safe shoulders.
The 46-mile route offers an additional 15-mile loop from Pine Point Park to Big Marine Park Reserve and back. This hillier option will feature riding on county roads, most with wide, safe shoulders.
An optional non-denominational church services is available at 8 a.m.
from the Reliance Foundry website Reliance Foundry is proud to support “Bike To Work” Week with a contest that will award $5000 in gear to a cycling commuter or an organization that promotes cycling to work. Have you ridden your bike to work during the past year or are you planning to in the near future? Do you want to help encourage your employees’ use of cycling for transportation to and from work?
To show its support for conscientious commuting, Reliance Foundry, North America’s premier supplier of commercial bike racks, bike bollards, and bike storage lockers, is awarding $5,000 in biking equipment to the business professional who can most cleverly articulate how biking to work has changed their life, or how they think cycling to work could change their or their coworkers’ or employees’ lives. The contest will coincide with this year’s Bike to Work Week with the winner being announced on Bike to Work Day (May 16th, 2014). You don’t have to be a regular cyclist; you just have to have tried or plan to try cycling to work. Reliance Foundry wants to hear your story!
The contest is simple – submit your story, however you feel you can most effectively do so. There are no maximum or minimum word limits. In fact, the story does not even have to be submitted in standard written form. Reliance Foundry is looking for the presentation that most effectively communicates the experience of cycling commuters and if video or imagery is your strong suit, you may also feel free to present your bike commuting story solely in these forms. Adding rich media (info graphics, videos, imagery) will all contribute favorably to the judging of your submission. If you’ve biked to work in the past year or plan to on participating in Bike To Work Week, they would love to hear what motivated you or how you or your employees could benefit from new cycling equipment. Present your successes, your trials and your thoughts on the overall experience of cycling to work in written, video or image form for your chance to win the cycling gear of your choice.
Click here for full details, eligibility and terms and conditions.
Jean Freidl The 16th Annual North Star Bicycle Festival (formerly the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival) will take place June 11-15, 2014 and will include the North Star Grand Prix pro stage bike race June 11-15 in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis and Stillwater, Minn. and Menomonie, Wisc. In Menomonie the general public can get a taste of the pro bike routes by participating in the festival’s Gran Fondo or Spectator Rides. For maps, event schedules and visitor information on each host city visit www.northstarbicyclefestival.com.
The North Star Grand Prix, the most prestigious event on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, opens June 11 in Saint Paul with a morning time trial along East River Parkway. The action moves to the Rice Park district of Downtown Saint Paul that evening with a criterium (short circuit race). The ambiance of the criterium route is reminiscent of the famed pavé races in Europe, with the turrets of the Landmark Center, bricked streets in front of the Ordway Center and classic architecture of the century-old Saint Paul Hotel framing this idyllic town square.
On Thursday, the race moves south to Cannon Falls for a rural road race showcasing the wide open spaces of Minnesota’s heartland, dotted with family farms, boutique wineries and the famed Cannon Valley Trail, stretching 20 miles along the Cannon River. The race finishes with multiple laps at high speeds through the quaint downtown. On Friday, it’s back up to Minneapolis for an evening criterium in the city’s dynamic Uptown area, a neighborhood of trendy shops, bars and restaurants located just south of downtown near the chain of Minneapolis lakes. The Uptown edition of the FREE Kids Race is always a highlight, with hundreds of kids 12 and under riding the crit route, cheered on by thousands of spectators. Each child gets a free medal.
The weekend presents an opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful terrain in the Midwest for the Menomonie and Stillwater stages. Cheer for the pros in the North Star Grand Prix as well as locals competing in the amateur races.
In Menomonie the road race tests the cyclists’ endurance as they traverse 95 miles of rolling farmland in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, finishing with multiple laps of an in-town circuit. Menomonie will also host dozens of events throughout the day, introducing visitors to the arts, historic sites and friendly, family-owned shops and restaurants. Activities also include kids’ contests, tours and Spectator Rides for all levels. Experienced cyclists seeking a challenge can sign up for the Gran Fondo (Italian for Big Ride) which provides a chance to ride the same route the pros will race. For cyclists interested in this event advanced preparation is recommended to be ready to take on the hilly terrain through rural Wisconsin. (Pre-register at www.northstarbicyclefestival.com/granfondo.)
Back in Minnesota on Sunday, June 15, Stillwater will again host the grand finale with its legendary Criterium. Well known for weeding out the field, the course features a 24 degree climb up Chilikoot Hill – the steepest in North American racing. This picturesque town is built on the bluffs of the St. Croix River and the route features a series of high speed, downhill 90 degree turns throughout the city’s historic neighborhoods and charming Main Street area. Make plans for a Father’s Day brunch at a riverfront restaurant or grab a treat at one of the town’s plentiful ice cream shops or candy stores along the way.
Fan Zones set up at each stage include food vendors, stunt riders, live music, bike and fitness expos and The FREE Tour de Kids fun race open to children age 12 and under.
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul areais a premier tourism destination offering arts and cultural attractions, museums, zoos, amusement parks, Mall of America, major league sports, golf, boating and other outdoor recreational activities. Named the top city for cyclists by Bicycling Magazine in 2010, the area boasts hundreds of miles of cycling paths connecting the downtowns to neighborhoods, suburbs and trails along lakes and River. Rental bikes are available at dozens of kiosks around town through the region’s Nice Ride program.
Menomonie, about an hour’s drive east of the Twin Cities, offers several unique eateries near Main Street including the Silver Dollar Saloon and Log Jam bars, local pizza bistros Ted’s Pizza and Jeff’s Pizza and The Raw Deal which prepares dishes assembled from raw ingredients. The Acoustic Café, The Vegabond Bakery and Legacy Chocolates are all great spots for a morning treat. Visitors can also try The Golden Leaf Café and Cancun Restaurant, located just a short drive from the festival area. For more info on the the Gran Fondo and this stage of the race see below!
About the North Star Bicycle Festival Now in its 16th year, the North Star Bicycle Festival is a celebration of bicycling that includes amateur and professional racing and community events. The North Star Grand Prix has become the most prestigious event on the USA Cycling Racing calendar, attracting top American racing teams and nearly 300 top riders from around the world. It is the only professional sporting event in Minnesota which is open to the public, for which no admission ticket is required. Proceeds from the North Star Bicycle Festival are donated to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, a pediatric hospice project. For a schedule of events visit www.northstarbicyclefestival.com.
About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar
Entering its 18th season in 2014, the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) is a road cycling series sanctioned by USA Cycling. It is designed to provide a ranking system for all elite-level cyclists, both amateur and professional, through participation in the nation’s premier cycling events. North Star Bicycle Festival Hosts Grand Fondo and Spectator Rides at Menomonie Stage Sat, June 14, 2014
Spectators who come to watch the North Star Grand Prix (formerly the Nature Valley Grand Prix) in Menomonie, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 14 can get a taste of the pro bike routes by participating in the festival’s Gran Fondo or Spectator Rides.
The Gran Fondo (Italian for “Big Ride”) provides avid recreational riders with an opportunity to ride along the same roads the pros will take later in the day. Experienced cyclists can choose the 90-mile route that the men will take, which includes over 5000 ft. of climbing, or they can choose the 70-mile route that the women will race, which shares the opening 50 miles of the men’s route, then takes a “short-cut” back to Menomonie. A shorter 59-mile route is also an option. Gran Fondo rides depart from Menomonie at 9 am and will return in time for the thrilling finishing circuits of the pro races. Rides will also include a Sports Beans King/Queen of the Hill Time Trial, with chip timing to identify the fastest climber up the showcase summit – Star Hill.
Recreational cyclists can sign up for 15-mile or 35-mile Spectator Rides, which will take place during the pro races and will allow participants to ride ahead of the pros to Calvary Hill. This is a great opportunity to cheer on the pro men and to watch the race á bicyclette, as they say in Europe. Once the pros pass, the Spectator Rides continue along some of the most beautiful terrain in Dunn County. The 35-mile ride will include a trip to watch the pro men on the infamous Star Hill – a 17% grade for half a mile. Both Spectator Rides depart Menomonie at 11:15 am, and will return for the exhilarating finishing circuits in town.
Families can enter kids age 12 and under in the FREE Kid’s fun race, or take a leisurely ride on their own along the Red Cedar Trail, a fairly flat, easy Rails-to-Trails route from Menomonie to Irvington. There will be an opportunity to watch the pros fly by in Irvington before retracing the Rails-to-Trails route back to Menomonie. Those riding the trail must purchase a $4 trail pass.
The Expo, which runs from 11 am to 5 pm on race day, includes food vendors, stunt riders and booths of cycling related products and services. North Star Bicycle Festival activities will also include three levels of amateur racing in town, while the pros are out in the country.
Menomonie has planned a separate Summerdaze Festival that weekend, which will include an arts and crafts festival and games and contests for children. Other activities throughout the day include tours of Menomonie attractions, as well as a bean bag tournament and wiener dog races. Attractions in the National Downtown Historic District include several museums, the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater and the Woodlawn Homestead, of the book Caddie Woodlawn fame.
Menomonie offers several unique eateries near Main Street including the Silver Dollar Saloon and Log Jam bars, local pizza bistros Ted’s Pizza and Jeff’s Pizza and The Raw Deal which prepares dishes assembled from raw ingredients. The Acoustic Café, The Vegabond Bakery and Legacy Chocolates are all great spots for a morning treat. Visitors can also try The Golden Leaf Café and Cancun Restaurant, located just a short drive from the festival area.
Fees and Registration
Registration fees range from $20 to $35 for either the Gran Fondo or Spectator Rides. Participation is limited to the first 500 registrants for the Gran Fondo and the first 250 registrants for the Spectator Rides. Registration fees include SAG support, snacks, fruits and beverages along the route and hot showers upon your return to Menomonie. Net proceeds from the rides go to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, a pediatric hospice program. Although on-site registration is available, pre-registration is highly recommended to ensure a spot and to facilitate check in. Online registration is available via the Gran Fondo section of the website, www.northstarbicyclefestival.com.
Lodging
Lying about an hour east from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Menomonie, Wisc. is a college town situated in the heart of Dunn County. The Menomonie Chamber of Commerce website can help you find comfortable accommodations. www.menomoniechamber.org
Demonstrating how other businesses in the community could become more bike friendly the Rack and Roll event was a success as it gained the attention of other companies in town. Helping more businesses in town step forward and sponsor additional rack installations in front of more places of business, along trails and in city parks.
Both, City of North Mankato Mayor Mark Dehen and Mankato Mayor Eric Anderson spoke at the event, declaring a joint proclamation for the Greater Mankato Bike Week celebrations. Each of them shared the importance of biking in Mankato. Eric Harriman, the director of the City Center Partnership, spoke to the benefits of being bike-friendly for a city’s economy. The Bike and Walk Advocates also spoke about the benefits of biking to businesses and residents in Mankato. See local news channel KEYC video.
Following the ribbon cutting, both Mayor Anderson and Mayor Dehen helped lead a Mayors’ Ride as a part of the Greater Mankato Bike and Walk week celebration.
The cities of Mankato and North Mankato are one of 11 communities throughout the state designated a Bicycle Friendly Community. Bicycling is aligned with the city of Mankato’s sustainability efforts. Offering and encouraging options for efficient transportation, such as biking, walking and the city bus, is important for a sustainable future. See more at: www.visitmankatomn.com. *Information and photos provided by the Visit Mankato Tourism 
