Tag Archives: Ely mn

Fun memories and spectacular views on the Mesabi Trail Tour

The 2022 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour returns in August with four fun distances for that next bike adventure. All routes will travel out and back on the Mesabi Trail from the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm (MDC).

This year’s ride will be returning to one extensive tour on Saturday, August 20th, with four different routes out and back to eliminate the hassle & confusion riders felt from bike transportation requirements in past tours. All four tour routes (12, 32, 46, or 64 miles)  will start and end at MDC, with two routes traveling east and the other two traveling west. 

Partnering with the Minnesota Discovery Center, the center offers free admission to the museum for all riders and reduced fees for trolley rides & mini-golf. MDC is also home to the new Redhead mountain bike park.

On the Mesabi Trail Tour, the trail crosses one of the iron ore train tracks.

While you pedal (fully supported) along one of Minnesota’s premiere paved bicycle trails, you will encounter historic & scenic points of interest, food & music at rest stops, and a finish line celebration complete with a picnic lunch and more music!

Cost of riding the Mesabi Trail Tour in 2022

The cost of riding this year’s event (cost per weekend ride) is $45 for riders 17 years and older.  The ride is still free for kids 16 and under, with a parent or guardian riding along.

The scenery is stunning along the Mesabi Trail.

Mesabi Trail Tour riders enjoy the scenery at O’Brian Reservoir.

Spring, summer or Fall your riding experience on the Mesabi Trail is what great memories are made from.

Spring, Summer, or Fall, your riding experience on the Mesabi Trail is what great memories are made.

 

More information to plan your visit and lodging to the Mesabi Trail

The Mesabi Trail will reach 155 miles when complete, connecting Grand Rapids, MN, at the Mississippi River Trail to Ely, next to the Boundary Waters. For more information and lodging options, visit:

Visit Grand Rapids: https://visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/

The Iron Range Tourism Bureau: https://ironrange.org/motel

To learn more about the trail: http://www.mesabitrail.com/.

Is your calendar is still open for riding this weekend? There is still time to experience riding your bike across the tallest bridge in Minnesota. This Saturday, August 4th, consider the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour.

Still time, ride across MN’s tallest bridge on the Mesabi Trail this weekend

Is your calendar open for a bike adventure this weekend? There is still time to experience riding your bike across the tallest bridge in Minnesota. This Saturday, August 4th, consider the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour. They offer four memorable route options to choose from, all crossing this new bridge with breath taking scenery.

Still time to ride across Minnesota’s tallest bridge

The 2018 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour has a route for riders of any level and every year the tour routes change to highlight over 20 wonderful communities along the trail. This year all four routes will lead to a slam bang finish at Mesabi Station in Eveleth.

Trail Route Options:

  • Just eight miles from Grand Rapids, take the 71 mile route from Bovey and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the picture Grace.
  • 52 miles from the finish join the tour in Nashwauk, and enjoy the first of 5 rest stops with snacks and entertainment.
  • Buhl is the 3rd start location, with 25 miles to go to finish line outdoor concert and BBQ lunch. Don’t miss out on some of the Finest Water in America, in Buhl.
  • The shortest route, great for all the kids in the family, is just 11 miles from Virginia.  And just a couple of miles away from the tallest bridge in Minnesota!

Spectacular views await you on the states tallest bridge

The Mesabi Trail now crosses over Minnesota's tallest bridge.

The Mesabi Bike Trail now crosses over Minnesota’s tallest bridge.

The new Highway 53 bridge and bike trail on the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota is worth checking out. After two years of construction you can now ride your bicycle, walk or even snowmobile across the tallest multi modal bridge in Minnesota. Now complete, this year the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour will include this section of the 135 mile trail system on their route.

The scenery is stunning crossing the bridge and exploring the trail towns along the way!

The views are stunning as you cross over the Rouchleau Mine Pit on the new bridge. The contrast between the aqua blue water and the red cliffs below are breathtaking. Something you will want to see along with the unique points of interest each trail town offers along the way.

Still time to register, sign up today!

The Mesabi Trail now crosses over Minnesota's tallest bridge.

Ride across the highest bridge in Minnesota this summer on the Mesabi Trail

by Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg

Did you know you can ride your bike across the tallest bridge in Minnesota on the Mesabi Trail?  Did you also know that on August 4th, all four routes for the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour will be going across that bridge?

More on the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour

Whether you are an avid cyclist, a casual rider or you’ve got the kids in tow – don’t miss this fun. The ride is filled with many opportunities to experience the Best Rural Bike Trail in Minnesota (according the 2013 Star Tribune).

With kid's in tow the Mesabi trail is always fun!

With kid’s in tow the Mesabi trail is always fun!

The 2018 Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour has a route for riders of any level and every year the tour route is changed to highlight the wonderful communities along the trail. This year all four routes will lead to a slam bang finish at Mesabi Station in Eveleth.

Trail Route Options

Just eight miles from Grand Rapids, take the 71 mile route from Bovey and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the picture Grace.

52 miles from the finish join the tour in Nashwauk, and enjoy the first of 5 rest stops with snacks and entertainment.

Buhl is the 3rd start location, with 25 miles to go to finish line outdoor concert and BBQ lunch. Don’t miss out on some of the Finest Water in America, in Buhl.

The shortest route, great for all the kids in the family, is just 11 miles from Virginia.  And just a couple of miles away from the tallest bridge in Minnesota!

After riding across the tallest bridge have your photo taken at the finish line!

After riding across the tallest bridge have your photo taken at the finish line!

The new Minnesota Bridge

Crossing the bridge, 200 feet above the water’s surface, the $220 million bridge is part of the relocation of Hwy 53. This allowed United Taconite to mine under the old highway. In order to connect Virginia with the reminder of the Mesabi Trail heading towards Ely, a 14 ft wide addition was added to the bridge to accommodate the paved bike trail. In the winter, this also serves as a snowmobile crossing.

The trail stretches over 155 miles

The Mesabi Trail is one of the premier bike trails in Minnesota. Currently over 135 miles of this paved trail is complete, when finished it will stretch over 155 miles and pass through 28 communities in northeast MN.

Stretching from the Mississippi (Grand Rapids) to the Boundary Waters (Ely) you will experience a trail like no other. The trail allows you to pedal past pristine lakes, through woods, over rolling hills, wind through bogs and hey, there’s a taconite mine. It’s a ride you won’t forget, filled with historic sites, not to mention a string of small towns with a TON of charm.

One of the best ways to experience the Mesabi Trail is on the fully supported Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour. At $45 for individuals and $90 for a family (kids 18 & under ride FREE), it’s one of the best deals around. Entry includes transportation for you and your bike, food & entertainment at rest stops, a concert & BBQ at the finish and a commemorative t-shirt.

Register online today https://www.mesabitrail.com/trail-activities/tour/registration, and have the ride of your life!