Tag Archives: explore Minnesota

The Minnesota Scoop, a tasty tour across the state with extra rewards

Each time you ride your bike, stop for some ice cream and get rewarded by having your Minnesota Scoop punch card. Eating ice cream is so delicious, and enjoying well-crafted ice cream is its own reward, but the Minnesota Office of Tourism has sweetened the pot. If you are looking at adding some tasty fun to your next bike or outdoor adventure this summer and love ice cream this reward is for you.

On this bike pic Sunday we found this biker chick enjoying a tasty treat.

Once you’ve completed your Minnesota Scoop punch card, submit your entry below for a free Minnesota Scoop t-shirt. Plus, you can register for a chance to win grand prize travel packages all across the state. Prizes available include weekend hotel stays across the state, museum tickets, and restaurant gift cards. You could wrap up your summer enjoying a weekend away that’s uniquely Minnesota.

This Bike Pic, Ice Cream Smiles Sunday, enjoy a sweet treat with friends – before, during or after your #NextBike Adventure.

Participating Minnesota Scoop Shops

You’ll find some funky flavors from participating ice cream shops across the state. Nearly 100 shops in Minnesota are participating, each creating a special #OnlyinMN creation. Here are a few of the special treats we have discovered along the trail while exploring the maps in the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide:

At Two Scoops in Anoka, try the Fat Elvis.

Blast Softserve on Rose St. in Owatonna, pairs Costas Candies, with a special blend of their ice cream to create a #OnlyinMN treat. The combination of Costas’ Maple Buttercreme and creamy vanilla soft serve is worth a visit here to Owatonna.

CannonBelles in Cannon Falls, also offers some of the exotic, like Big Muddy and Black Licorice.

It’s always fun when riding in the Twin Cities Gateway to stop for ice cream.

How to get a punch card to get rewarded

When you enter a participating ice cream shop, pick up a punch card and get it stamped. Once you’ve visited one of the 100 shops five times (and yes, you can repeat the same shop), upload an image of your completed punch card here.

When out riding, with friends, stopping for a sweet treat!

After completing the punch card, you’ll get a free Minnesota Scoop t-shirt (they’re truly pretty fashionable). The T-shirts are limited to the first 500 claimants, so start your adventure ASAP!

In addition, you’ll be entered into the sweepstakes to win a grand travel package and other weekly giveaways. For example, you could win a hotel stay in the Twins Cities or the Iron Range, museum tickets, or restaurant gift cards. The sweepstakes entry period ends August 1.

Remember to eat ice cream while enjoying your favorite Minnesota outdoor activity, and get rewarded!

On this bike pic Sunday, we found this biker chick enjoying a tasty treat with her daughter.

Also, check back to HaveFunBiking.com each week for our Ice Cream Smiles Sunday Pic of Day. You may notice a smiling face and we invite you to submit your photo’s to [email protected].

Have Fun!

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!

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!

Bike Pic March 13, fond summer memories as spring approaches

Fond summer memories with spring weather only a week away. Here in this 2019 bike pic, a biker chick is having some fun on a trail in Lakeville, MN.

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. An now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s fond summer memories’ Pic of the Day

Now rolling through our 16th 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 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 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, memorable 2021!

Bike Pic Aug 18, a dry trail day for Minnesota mountain biking fun

This mountain biker enjoys the dry trails after all the rain this last Friday, here in Minnesota where you will find many challenging and picturesque courses in the state.

View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa Bike Guide or the Minnesota Bike/Hike edition. Then plan your next outing with family and friends at one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Dry Trail ‘ 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 04, Tour de Pines still has openings for a scenic ride

In this bike pic, what better way to enjoy the countryside then riding the 10th Anniversary Tour de Pines, out of Itasca State Park. On August 18, select from the 25, 50, 60, 70 and 100 mile scenic tour option. The tour begins in this Minnesota’s northern piney area where the Mississippi begins. The annual ride is put on by Hosteling International to support their Mississippi Headwaters AYH-Hostel, just north of Park Rapids, MN, in the park.

The Tour de Pines, this Saturday is a great place to meet new friends at the Headwaters of the Mississippi.

What better way to ride through the summer season and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Tour de Pines’ Bike Pic

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.

Have a great day!

Pick up a copy of the new MN Bike Guide and win a bike tour pass from AAA

They are still available for your next adventure, the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide full of bicycle routes and trails to explore in the state. Right now AAA -The Auto Club Group invites you to stop by one of their branch offices to pick up a copy of the new bike guide. When stopping in to pick up a complimentary copy you can also register to win a ride tour pass to one of the three popular Minnesota rides.

The 2018 MN Bike Guide is available at all AAA Auto Offices in Minnesota

A print copy of the 2018 MN Bike Guide is available free at all AAA Auto Offices in Minnesota

Imagine a free wheel pass to the: Tour of Saints; the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour; or the Mankato River Ramble that will be drawn on June 15th. Plus, when you stop in to pick up a guide, learn about the exciting new bicycle benefits program at one of the following AAA branch office locations:

Burnsville, 600 West Travelers Trail, Burnsville, MN 55337

Coon Rapids, 2170 Northdale Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Duluth, 2520 Maple Grove Road, Duluth, MN 55811

Mankato, 1930 Adams Street, Mankato, MN 56001

Maplewood, 1727 Beam Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109

Rochester, 1535 Greenview Drive, SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Roseville, 2483 Fairview Avenue N, Roseville MN 55113

St Cloud, 3959 2^nd Street S, St Cloud, MN 56301

Tour of Saints riders having fun on this annual June ride.

Your next adventure may be the new bike guide

The Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide is a handy pocket sized booklet available in print and online. This year’s edition offers a 100 pages of bike friendly maps, ride events and helpful tips to create fond memories for you and your family or friends.

The new bike program at AAA my add security and a peace of mind

When you have a mechanical problem with your bike AAA is just a call away.

If you have a mechanical problem with your bike, AAA is only a call away.

When picking up a copy of the new bike guide, ask about the AAA Bicycle Benefits Program. This new benefit is like having a support vehicle in your back pocket when riding. Rest assured, if your bike has a mechanical failure, help is only a phone call away. AAA Auto Club now includes roadside tows for bicycles as well as vehicles.

Remember to register to win a ride tour wheel pass

The St. Paul Bike Classic is another family friendly ride that happens the first Saturday in September, each year.

The Tour of Saints is scheduled for July 8^th, starting in St. Joseph, MN. The St. Paul Classic Bike Tour is scheduled for September 9^th, on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, MN. And the Mankato River Ramble is scheduled for October 7^th starting in North Mankato, MN. Further information is available on these bike tours and more at a AAA branch office locations in your area.

Now, have fun biking with AAA information and support this summer!

Bic Pic May 14, Yey, Its Ice Cream Smiles Sunday, So Take Mom Out For Mothers Day

Yey, its Ice Cream Sunday and time to take mom out for Mothers Day. With another beautiful day ahead take out the bikes and include a little trail riding to the day activities.

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 Ice Cream Sunday 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.

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!