Welcome. We're your premier source for fun places to explore by bicycle or on foot. Offering guides, maps and articles on road and trail riding for the novice to seasoned cyclist - helping you find your #NextBikeAdventure
In today’s Bike Pic, we caught this biker dude enjoying his morning ride on the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). Here in the upper Midwest see our latest article on destinations and peak color links.
So, 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, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.
Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic
Now rolling through our 19th 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 for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide 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 in our 14th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.
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. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.
In this bike pic, ice cream smiles were prevalent as this biker chick displayed while enjoying a cool treat at a rest stop in Anoka.
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!
This Bike Pic Friday, we captured these two bikers riding a Minnesota section of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) in the Twin City Gateway community of Fridley.
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!
Named for an early settler along the east bank of the Mississippi River. Today bike-friendly Fridley, with its 10-mile bike loop, lets visitors discover art, nature, and beautiful flower gardens along the way. Here, with many cycling paths connecting to both the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) and the Rice Creek Trail, it’s easy to get around. One of the nine communities of the Twin Cities Gateway, the city of Fridley is located just north of Minneapolis and a fun place to explore. So, if you enjoy biking along the trails that Red River oxen carts once used, we have some options to explore while enjoying the Fridley 10-mile bike loop.
Fun on the Fridley 10-mile bike loop.
The Fridley 10-mile bike loop
Starting from the outer parking lot of the LivINN Hotel, (southeast corner od I-694 and Central Avenue) the Fridley route heads out in a clockwise direction. After crossing the intersection at Central Ave. drive your bike using the bike lane on 53rd Avenue for the next two miles. Now turning to the north on Main Street, once over Interstate I-694, you will pass Woodsprings Hotel. Those who would like to begin the 10-mile bike loop from this point continue north up to 61st Avenue. Here on your left, you are at the Fridley train station.
Passing through Edgewater Garden Park on the MRT.
Taking the tunnel under the RR tracks
On the east side of the Northstar-Line Fridley Station, use the elevator. Taking your bike with you down to the lower level and walk through the tunnel to the west side of the train tracks. On the main level, on the west side, the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is right outside the door and ready for you to venture north again. An option for another day, consider boarding the Northstar Train with your bike and ride it up the Anoka, Elk River, or Big Lake, then pedal back to Fridley on the MRT. See the multi-modal train-to-trail cue sheet here.
Many roads in Fridley offer trails that parallel for added comfort.
More adventure awaits at the Locke Lake trail T
Flower gardens invite you into the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.
Back on the 10-mile bike loop, continue pedaling north on the MRT as the trail passes through Edgewater Garden Park. A little further on, before turning into Locke Lake Park at the trail T, you have a couple more options. If you don’t mind adding some additional miles out and back, continue on the MRT to the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts. With rotating art exhibits, the art center is next to Manomin County Park. Another mile further, you will find the Springbrook Nature Center. These three community highlights can add more memorable moments to any bike ride.
Manomin County Park is on the same grounds as the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.
Back on the 10-mile bike loop, the trail connects to the Rice Creek Trail in Locke Lake Park. Use caution as you ride your bike through this area. You will need to apply both your front and rear brakes (or walk your bike) as you descend along Locke Lake on the trail. If you are riding with others, allow extra space between each, as a few sharp turns are passing under the RR tracks next to Rice Creek as it flows into the lake. Finally, at the next T, the Rice Creek Trail runs through Fridley Community Park.
Now riding east along the Rice Creek Trail.
After crossing University Avenue, at the stoplight, resume riding east on the Rice Creek Trail. In this section between University and Highway 65, the Rice Lake Trail offers an upper and lower trail segment. The 10-mile loop uses the upper trail, as it’s a bit shorter and takes you past restroom facilities in the park before reaching the tunnel under Highway 65. After the tunnel, resume the route by taking a left at the trail T to Central Ave. If you are staying at Budget Host Hotel or desire to start the 10-mile loop from here, at this trail T take a right and head south a block to the hotel.
Turning south, ice cream may soon be an option.
The trail route now, heading south, runs parallel to Central Avenue. If you have a sweet tooth and desire a delicious Ice cream treat, turn right on Moore Lake Road into Grandpa’s Ice Cream.
The flavors here are worth stopping for.
Continuing along Central Ave, as you reach Hillcrest Drive, you have one more option to cool off. If it’s a hot day, half-mile further south is Moore Lake Park, where you will find a beach for a refreshing swim. Otherwise, take a left on Hillcrest, and the route jogs through several neighborhood streets down to Matterhorn Drive. After crossing over Interstate 694, turn right on Skywood Lane and follow the freeway border wall around to the start.
If Halloween is one of your favorite times of the year, get ready for the premier and unveiling of the new Forever Halloween Postage Stamp! This Forever Halloween event, in Anoka, MN, kicks off a fun season of pumpkins and trick or treaters in the Halloween Capital of the World. Then, this is followed by several weeks of ghosts and goblin fun. All of this is the lead up to the great hallowed event on October 31st. With hotel accommodations easily available around the nine Twin Cities Gateway communities, it’s a quick drive by car or bike ride to all the 2016 Spooktakular Events.
This year’s events begin September 29th with the unveiling of the new official ‘Forever Halloween’ postage stamp. Then, the fun really heats up on the weekend of October 14th because of the Pumpkin Bowl, the famous Orange Tie Ball, and a medallion hunt. The following week take a tour of the decorated spooky homes, participate in the Annual Gray Ghost 5K, and enjoy the Grand Day Parade celebrating all things Halloween. Located in the northern Twin Cities Metro community of Anoka, it’s the 96th year the town has hosted this event.
Through the years Anoka’s Halloween celebration prides itself in offering world class fun. Afterwards, in the last weekend in October, participation in the night parade and Grand Day parade has grown to include floats and marching bands from all over the Midwest. In addition, the original concept of having costumed local student’s parade down Main Street, hasn’t changed a bit.
Forever Halloween Unveiling to Kick Off the Spooky Season
Here is the new Forever Halloween stamp that kicks off the Anoka, MN – Halloween Capitol of the World celebrations.
Join the fun as the Unites States Postal Service proudly unveils the first day issue of the first official 2016 Forever Halloween stamp. This takes place in the city of Anoka. The event, on September 29th, will take place at River Plaza (the Old City Hall) on 1st Ave N. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. for a Plaza Gathering. Then, at 11 a.m. the Ceremony and Stamp Unveiling will take place. Afterwards, since you’re in the area anyway for the event, you might want to pick up some Halloween themed post cards. The fun post cards available feature the upcoming events that you can mail to your friends. Also, don’t forget the new stamps!
Ramp Up Halloween with the Pumpkin Bowl and Orange Tie Ball
Are you ready for some Halloween themed football? Friday evening, October 14th, the Anoka High School football team plays their rival Chanplin, located on the other side of the Mississippi River Trail. Then, on Saturday, tour the decorated homes around Anoka before the annual Orange Tie Ball begins! The fun evening will include dinner, dance, raffles & silent auctions, and more. All proceeds go to the Anoka area students scholarship fund. If you have any questions, contact: [email protected].
The Grand Finale of Anoka’s 2016 Forever Halloween
Then, with a wine tasting event and more decorated homes to see, all of it leads to the grand finale. The grand finale of Anoka’s 2016 Forever Halloween season begins the last Friday in October with a Big Parade of Little People. This parade showcases the local school children dressed in their best costumes. Join the fun by watching the parade that started this event ninety-six years ago.
The finale of the Halloween Capitol of the World is the Grand Day Parade – the largest in the state.
Then, on Saturday, enter the Halloween Gray Ghost 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk. See the flyer for more details. Later in the afternoon, celebrate the Halloween Capital of the World’s™ parade – the largest in the state. During the parade, the T-6 Thunder will showcase a special flyover as the parade begins. Sponsored by Federal Premium, all this and more happens on Main Street and Fifth Avenue, in Anoka, MN at 1 p.m. And there is still more to see and do throughout October if you have the 2016 Anoka, MN Halloween Capital of the World button .
Getting to the 2016 Forever Halloween by Bicycle is Easy and Safe
No matter where you are staying in the Twin Cities Greenway, it’s easy and safe to get to the Downtown Anoka events by bike. From Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Moundsview, New Brighton, and Shoreview, you will find bike friendly routes to easily get there. See all nine Minnesota community maps showing you the trails and bike friendly roads there for a ghoulish time or for exploring anytime throughout the year.
Pedaling along the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), north of Minneapolis takes cyclists through the remarkable art community of Fridley, with the annual ’49er Days, June 14 -16. One of the nine communities in the Twin Cities Gateway the city offers a one of a kind experience for art and bike lovers alike. From live theatre, a stunning gallery and a festival with many craft artist, everyone visiting will feel inspired after taking a look at the creative scene in bike-friendly Fridley.
Craft art is one of the highlights at the ’49er Days Festival
Come for the 49er Parade, stay for all the fun activities and food scheduled throughout the day.
The Fridley Lions Club, ’49er Festival starts with a parade on Thursday, June 14.
Then throughout the weekend, the festival hosts many fun activities. In a family-friendly community tradition celebrating the year, Fridley was incorporated as a city!
Banfill-Locke Center for Art
ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AS YOU ENTER THE BANFILL-LOCKE CENTER FOR THE ART IN FRIDLEY.
Just off of the MRT the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts makes a great rest stop on your bike ride. Stop in to cool off and admire the works in the gallery. Maybe pick up a gift for another art lover in their gift shop. If seeing all the collections that will inspire you, consider making the trip to Banfill-Locke regularly and sign up for a class. You can find a class that would best fit your schedule, from a single lesson to an eight-week workshop. The Banfill-Locke Center offers classes in literary, visual, and self-discovery arts. The center also allows brings in local poets for poetry enthusiasts to appreciate.
On Thursday, June 21 from 5 – 8 p.m. the Banfill-Locke Center celebrates the impact the arts have on the Fridley community during our Summer Solstice Soiree.
Fridley Community Theatre
Along with wonderful art, Fridley also has a renowned community theatre. With three productions a year, the community theatre works hard to bring wonderful live theatrical performances to its audiences. For this year’s summer production “Sister Act” is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that had audiences jumping to their feet!
There is still time to get your ticket, the show opens in July with performances on July 20, 21, 26 at 7 p.m. and a matinee performance, July 28 at 2 p.m.
Also playing is the Fridley Community Youth Theatre Production the Lion King, June 29 through July 1, check it out!
Natural art can be found at the Springbrook Nature Center
After walking through Springbrook’s Interpretative Center take a stroll down one of the many trails there.
There are two parts to Springbrook. The inside contains information about the center and interactive section in the back. You can learn about the different kinds of trees, see live snakes, frogs, turtles, wild turkey, and more. It’s a great place to prepare for a hike on the Nature Trail.
Once you get outside there are a couple of access points to the trail – and this is where the real adventure begins. Everywhere you go you will be surrounded by nature. You’ve got trees of different kinds everywhere, small and large bridges that will take you across all kinds of creeks and wetlands. There’s even a large walkway that takes you across a semi-large pond where you’ll have the best chance to catch some bird sighting.
So bike on over to Fridley to get your fill of all things art.
Here is a biker dude having fun, riding into the Monday morning sun this summer on the Mississippi River Trail Corridor that runs through the Twin Cities Gateway community of Fridley, MN.
What better way to continue your 2017 riding season fun and to plan your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.
Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Monday Morning Sun’ 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.
You’re outside your hotel, maybe the new WoodSpring Suites, and ready to ride your bike around Fridley. It’s got a great balance of big chain stores and the beauty of the natural world. With the area’s bike friendly attributes, you’ll be able to travel to a place where you have the chance to be up close with various birds, get a great taste of history, and view art all in the same place. You could ride the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) or try out your go-cart skills down the road. Don’t forget 49er Days this coming weekend. It’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget.
Fridley’s Springbrooke Nature Center
There are two parts to Springbrooke. The inside contains information about the center, and interactive section in the back. You can learn about the different kinds of trees, see live snakes, frogs, turtles, wild turkey, and more. It’s a great place to prepare for a hike on the Nature Trail.
After walking through Springbrooke’s Interpretative Center take a stroll down one of the many trails there.
Once you get outside there are a couple access points to the trail – and this is where the real adventure begins. Everywhere you go you will be surrounded by nature. You’ve got trees of different kinds everywhere, small and large bridges that will take you across all kinds of creeks and wetlands. There’s even a large walkway that takes you across a semi-large pond were you’ll have the best chance to catch some bird sighting.
Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts
This former Inn for soldiers and traders on the Red River Trail is now a place for developing and established artists. It’s an old house, in a calm and peaceful setting. Inside you will find wooden flooring that creeks every now and then. Paintings from the different exhibits line the walls, with studios and an art library upstairs. You will find special events here, like a reading at 7 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. By the parking lot there is sculpture named Homegrown, made entirely out of litter found in Minnesota’s public water, since 1929.
The center is also right by Mahnoman County Park and has a paved trail that ventures further into the park. Just down the road is a Park and Ride, for the North Star Commuter Rail Line. This trail also connects to the MRT for more exploring.
Fridley’s MB2 Go-Cart Racing
The MB2 Raceway is an indoor go-cart racing facility for all skill levels.
Those downhill trails connecting to the MRT can give you a great rush on you bike, but what about trying out some four-wheel fun at the recently-opened MB2 Raceway. This is an indoor go-cart racing facility for all skill levels. It’s the perfect break from biking, and is sure bring out some friendly competition. There are different packages to choose from and it also hosts parties as well.
Fridley’s Annual 49er Days
Come for the 49er Parade, stay for all the fun activities and food scheduled throughout the day.
If you’re in town on July 17th then steer your bike on over to Commons Park for 49er Days. There’s a parade along with games, food, a martial arts demonstration, live music, and more.
Having fun on the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) riding into the Twin Cities Gateway to explore the scenic paved river routes through Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley, in Minnesota.
Find many more bike friendly places along the Mississippi River Trail to explore in the latest edition of the 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 here at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure. Each destination section offers printable maps of the area along with must-have information and links of where to stay and play when biking in the area. 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 you ever considered riding your bike along the Mississippi River Trail (MRT)? Not sure if you have the time or ability to do a multi-day bike trip through Minnesota or a tour all the way to New Orleans? Consider trying this single day, self-guided Twin Cities Gateway Train & Trail Loop Tour.
Here cyclists depart the Northstar Train to pedal back to the Twin Cities Gateway on the Mississippi River Trail.
This single day tour is a multi-modal adventure that will give you a chance to see if riding along the MRT is right for you. With three mileage options to consider, the ride can be a fun family outing or a chance to check out bicycle touring. Also, it is a great trip to enjoy with friends. There is plenty of time to go pedaling along the river and visit a few river towns along the way.
With your bike, board the Northstar Commuter Rail for a train ride to Big Lake. Leaving from Anoka by train, it is a 25-miles ride back. Board the train in Coon Rapid for a 27-mile bike ride back. For a 36-mile route, depart from the Fridley Station and ride your bike back further down the MRT.
Riding back on the Mississippi River Trail you will pass the landscaped grounds of the Dayton Mansion.
As you pedal along the Mississippi river on the MRT, visit the river communities of Elk River. Visiting Dayton and Champlin are great opportunities for a rest stop and lunch. Approaching Dayton, both the river and the MRT enters into the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area for the next 60 miles. This area is managed by the National Park Service. Riding this stretch of the Mississippi River Trail offers cyclists several spectacular views as they bike the Great River Road.
To plan a MRT Loop Tour, check the schedule of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line here. Then, download and print this PDF sheet which is a Turn-by-Turn Direction Sheet for your next Twin Cities Gateway bicycle adventure.
