Tag Archives: #DestinationWaconia

Bike Waconia and discover all its many lakeside attractions

by Andrew Ellis

Visiting Waconia with your bike, you will find a charming lakeside community with uptown pizzazz. The area around Waconia offers many fun bike-friendly adventures on the trails and roads there. Nestled along the southern shores of Lake Waconia in Carver County, the area boasts many year-round activities, including; sailing, boating, fishing, water skiing, and swimming, to name a few other recreational opportunities when not touring around on your bicycle while visiting.

The town’s tourism draw was sparked in 1884 when Coney Island, in the middle of Lake Waconia, was turned into a resort. A future planned park area there in a few years, today the mainland has become very popular as a resort community to take its place. Its friendly parks, streets, and nearby trail make it easy to explore all of Carver County.

More About Bike-Friendly Waconia

The warm, welcoming community of Waconia is located less than 45 minutes west of the Twin Cities. Its lakes and surrounding wildlife help make the town a relaxing locale for tourists from all over.

To describe the town as “bike-friendly” may be an understatement. Most of its streets cater to those who prefer pedaling their way around, exploring the area much easier. You can visit one of its several lakes, or immerse yourself in the town’s history. There are also many locally-owned shops to browse and restaurants to satisfy your appetite.

Riding Options When Visiting Waconia

The area has plenty to offer those who prefer to get around by bike. There’s access to trails that take you beyond the town’s border and bike-friendly county roads that allow you to explore everything the town has to offer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Dakota Regional Trail

The northern part of the town has access to the Dakota Regional Trail. Part of the Three Rivers District, you can actually ride it all the way to Wayzata. The paved trail’s Waconia section will take you through its neighborhoods and wildlife. You’ll also get a nice sneak peek at Lake Waconia.

Carver Park Reserve

The park, managed by the Three Rivers District, provides access to the Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail. It’s another trail that can take you beyond Waconia if you wish for a longer ride.

Road Bike Touring

If you don’t want to stick to the trails, then you’re in luck; the town is full of bike-friendly roads that allow for almost limitless exploration. It also has plenty of shops, restaurants, history, and more to fill an entire weekend.

An At-A-Glance Look at Waconia

Be sure to check out our At-A-Glance Waconia 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!

Bike Pic Feb 26, Blaze Your Own Trail, Be Your Own Pioneer Like Major Taylor

“In a word, I was a pioneer, and therefore had to blaze my own trail”- Major Taylor. In the final days of Black History Month 2022, we are celebrating the career of Major Taylor. So be your own pioneer and blaze your trail today, plan your next bike adventure!

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, 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 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 pic was shot? 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 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!

The Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride: How to Start Preparing 60 Days Out!

By John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

The 51st Minnesota Ironman is now only two months away. If you have been reading and following our Ironman preparation articles, then congratulations, you are well on your way to earning those well deserved bragging rights. However, If you are just now starting to get ready, don’t fret, you have plenty of time to get prepared for a great ride through Waconia’s beautiful landscape. Wherever you feel comfortable on the preparedness spectrum, read on for helpful tips to get you ready.

You Need to Believe that You can Complete the Minnesota Ironman

No matter if you ride 15, 45 or a 100-miles, no swimming or running is required and bragging rights are always guaranteed at the end at the Minnesota Ironman.

Thousands of riders test their meddle every spring in the Minnesota Ironman. The first (and, for some, the greatest) challenge is committing your mind to complete an Ironman. The easiest way to get your mind on board is to register. Countless peripheral excuses to not complete go away once you register. Even if the weather is poor or you feel less than 100% that morning, as a registered rider, the chances of you going out are a lot higher. Once registered, Make a plan to get ready. The plan should include getting your body, your equipment, and the details of the event day ready.

Get Your Body Ready

Ride, Ride, Ride, wherever you can!

As the weather here in the Twin Cities is breaking, we are beginning to see signs of a spring thaw. Periodic warmer days give you the opportunity to check out the local trails or riding routes in your immediate area. If they are clear, take advantage of every nice day and get out to ride. In addition to sporadic rides as the weather permits, sign up for a spin class once a week, or go to a trainer class.

The Minnesota Ironman team realizes that undertaking an event of this difficulty can require help. For that help, they have partnered with Coach Bob McEnaney at Total Cycling Performance. Bob is available for individual coaching services and also runs bi-weekly indoor trainer rides (Monday & Thursday) at Penn Cycle’s Woodbury location. He publishes weekly workouts on Wednesdays that are a great way to stay motivated.

If riding is not in the forecast for you right now, try to focus some time on fitness. Getting your heartbeat up for an hour or two a week will pay deep dividends once the spring weather rolls in for good.

Get Your Equipment Ready

Knock the cobwebs and dust off!

If you haven’t done it yet, pull your bike out of mothballs. Lube the chain , put air in the tires, and take a ride. Taking a ride will give you a good idea of how far out of adjustment your bike may be. If the weather is poor, going for a ride will also give you the chance to test if your riding gear is comfortable in poor weather.

Cold weather gear like jackets, shoes, and tights are in ample supply at your local shop now, but if you wait until just before the Ironman, pickings may be slim. Also, waiting until the last minute to have your bike serviced might not be possible based on your shop’s schedule.

If your bike needs to be serviced, that’s a great time to think about making sure your bike fits you properly. A good bike fit will lower the chance of repetitive motion injuries, and make you more comfortable and efficient. You can have a friend help you check the basics or have your shop take a professional look. Both Eric’s and Penn Cycle are Ironman sponsors and certified bike fitters.

Start Planning for the Day of The Minnesota Ironman

Riding as a group is fun!

At 60 days out you should feel comfortable encouraging family and friends to do the ride with you. Counter potential poor weather with good vibes by riding with a group who all ride at a similar speed. If your friends and family don’t want to ride, encourage them to come out and cheer you on at a set destination on the course. Your own personal cheer squad can be all the motivation you need to conquer those last 5 miles. After the ride you can all meet for dinner (giving you a chance to test out those newly earned bragging rights).

Speaking of food, 60 days out is the perfect time to see how your body handles different foods while exercising. Start testing foods like sports gels, power bars, and sports drinks to see how your body reacts as you ride. Knowing what your body prefers ahead of time will ensure you can maintain your energy the day of the event by eating foods your body is used to.

60 days is all that currently stands between you and your bragging rights. Be proactive and start to prepare for the 2017 Minnesota Ironman now.

Bike Pic Feb 4, You’ll Be Smiling After You Register For The MN Iron Man Bike Ride

Will you be smiling for the HaveFunBiking camera at this years this year’s Minnesota Iron Man Bike Ride? If so you could be featured in a future ‘Miles of Smiles’ Saturday post! We hope you will be joining us on April 30th, 2017 out in Waconia, MN for the big event! Register today to save money that can be spent at one of the many amazing businesses in Waconia, such as the Waconia Brewing Company!

Planning your #NextBikeAdventure? View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Smiling After Registration Bike Pic

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 highlighting 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. Please share all our picks with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with one of our camera’s ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next Pic of the Day posts.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Feb 02, Register Early To Save Money For The MN Ironman Bike Ride

In case you live under a rock and missed yesterday’s post, Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride Registration is now OPEN! Join us April 30, 2017 in Waconia, MN for this years Minnesota Iron Man Bike Ride! Register today to save!

Planning your #NextBikeAdventure? View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Register Early To Save Money Bike Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Feb 01, Hip Hip Hooray, Ironman Registration Is Open Today

Hip Hip Hooray! Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride Registration Opens Today! Are you ready for biking season to officially begin? Join us April 30, 2017 in Waconia, MN for this years Minnesota Iron Man Bike Ride! Register today!

Planning your #NextBikeAdventure? View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Minnesota Ironman Registration Bike Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Jan 24, Triumph Tuesday- Shout Out Your Success

Have you conquered any huge obstacles recently? Well it’s Triumph Tuesday, so it’s time to celebrate all your accomplishments and set your eyes on the next prize. Is one of them planning your #nextbikeadventure on #TriumphTuesday?

Here in this photo above is a cyclist riding out on the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride last year. Is this year’s ride on April 30th a part of your plans. #BraggingRightsGuaranteed.

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour, also.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Triumph Tuesday Bike Pic

Have a great day!

The 51st Annual Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride Moves to Waconia, MN

The 51^st Minnesota Ironman® Bicycle Ride is heading to Waconia, MN, and offering #BraggingRightsGuaranteed for conquering this bicycle touring hotspot. Taking place on the last Sunday in April, the ride will again offer several memorable bike routes through Carver County. Registration for the 2017 annual spring bike ride opens February 1st, attracting riders from all over the upper Midwest.

Ironman Bike Ride Showcases Carver County Routes

On April 30^th, cyclists of all skill levels will find route lengths of 15-, 25-,50-, and 100-miles. They can journey down quiet county roads and trails that wind around lakes, and enjoy the area’s natural beauty. For those taking their first ride of 2017, it’ll be both a memorable and safe event.

Ironman Registration

Sign up for the early-bird Ironman registration on February 1^stand save at www.ironmanbikeride.org, before March 1^st. For further updates leading up to the event, follow the MN Ironman’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

About #DesinationWaconia

Waconia is located 30-miles west of the Twin Cities. The first-rate bicycle touring hub offers quiet county roads, both gravel and paved, and easy access to the Dakota, LRT, and Luce Line trails. If you arrive early or want to stay and visit, Waconia has plenty of options for everyone (see 2-Min Video). You can spend time on Lake Waconia, and visit the city’s other attractions including its distillery, wineries, and breweries. Find more at: Destination Waconia.

About the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride

As the original Minnesota Ironman®, this spring bike event has hosted over 100,000 cyclists in its 50-year history. It’s also an outstanding start to Minnesota’s spring bicycling season. The Minnesota Ironman® Bicycle Ride is put on by Hosteling International and benefits their non-profit mission and work here in Minnesota. They operate the Mississippi Headwaters Hostel in Itasca State Park.