Tag Archives: Gravel bike event

Ride the early spring gravel race in the driftless area

The Driftless 100 Ride Gravel Race is a hilly road race (mainly gravel) through Clayton County. And yes, this race is in Iowa, if your bike knows no borders. A short distance from the Minnesota border, you will find beautiful landscapes in one of Iowa’s best-kept secret places. If you are ready to get some training miles in, this gravel race is on Saturday, April 27th. The perfect way to kick off spring. Here, you will find over 10,000 feet of climbing on the 100, 50, and 25-mile race course.

A scenic course through history.

The race is designed to showcase the Driftless region of the state. Where even the savviest gravel rider will find new heights. Over 90% of the race is on limestone gravel, with about 5% on pavement and 5% on level b/c roads.

Gorgeous views as you climb the hills.

It is not designed to be a mud fest, but it is April, and the current forecast suggests the race may become sloppy. With course options ranging from 100 miles to 25 miles, the race will test your skills. Making it a perfect event to train for this coming season of rides and races.

The Driftless Branding Iron awaits your completion.

An added carrot for those who finish the 100-mile course in under 7 hours. They will be awarded a Driftless branding Iron for finishing. You do have to follow the official course and receive aid only at the aid stations to earn this award.

Can’t make it, ride gravel routes throughout the year

If you can’t make it to the Driftless 100 on April 27th and want to experience Clayton County’s scenic gravel roads. Here is a Gravel Touring Map to help you plan your next adventure. It also shows stops for local breweries, coffee shops, or wineries. Or, check out their events and entertainment before grabbing a bite at one of the county’s fine restaurants and cafés.

While visiting, you can also expand your knowledge of local history at a museum or browse the fine art galleries. Various retail shops and boutiques make visiting a family affair.

Visit Clayton County! Here, you can enjoy gorgeous views and much more while biking and hiking along the Mississippi River bluff.

Bike Pic Dec 21, winter is officially here!

This Bike Pic Thursday, the first day of winter, dig out your favorite Christmas sweater and take a fat bike out for a spin. It’s a great way to begin the holiday, I hope we get more snow to add to the fun!

So, adjust to the above-normal temps and 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 today’s 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.

Have a great day with a safe and memorable Winter!

Bike Pic Dec 09, fat bike fun with snow on the way

This Bike Pic Saturday, it’s time to get excited and hit the trail, with snow on its way later today in the upper Midwest.

So, adjust to the cold and 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 today’s bike pic

Have a great day with a safe and memorable fall!

Bike Pic Dec 02, it’s Global Fat Bike fun Saturday

This Bike Pic Saturday is Global Fat Bike Day. Consider getting out on a trail with the fresh snow, or if you don’t have a fat, go to your favorite shop and rent one.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Have a great day with a safe and memorable fall!

Bike Pic Oct 03, fun riding into the Tuesday morning sun

In this bike pic, with fall colors popping and another day of above-normal temps, enjoy pedaling your favorite route or trail like this biker dude. If you can’t make it out today, check out the destinations and peak color links for this coming weekend.

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

Have a great day with a safe and memorable fall!

Bike Pic Sept 17, Tour of Fillmore Offers Hard Gravel Miles

The 77 mile Tour of Fillmore is the hardest and most rewarding miles of gravel in southern Minnesota. Located near the Root River Trail Town of Lanesboro, in Fillmore County, registration is open until the 10 a.m. when the ride starts. A heads up, if you are going it is appreciated to Drew: [email protected].

A final update for the Tour of Fillmore will be posted on their FaceBook page after he rides the course, so check back. To date, Drew reports, “The roads are in great condition with less loose gravel than last year (but still with plenty). Plus the course is hard!”

“Checkpoint will be stocked with water and some snacks by us. We will also take dropbags or potluck style items to the checkpoint if you drop them at the start. Please Bring some meat or whatever you want to grille for the finish, or maybe some chips/snacks. I’ll cart my grille to the finish and hang out in the park for a while, Should be fun if everyone joins in!”

See many more bike friendly places to explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Tour of Fillmore Bike Pic of the Day.

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 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 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. 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 a great day!