As traveling closer to home is the new norm, with economic and environmental concerns, a bicycling staycation may open up your eyes to new horizons. The use of sustainable travel, like a bike, allows an adventurer a chance to see points of interest and landscapes not normally noticed when using other modes of transportation. Also, planning an overnight on your next staycation will make your bicycle ride there and back even more enjoyable. So, two questions: How many miles can you comfortably ride in a given day? And, what towns 10 to 50-miles away fit into your range, so your next adventure is memorable?

Sara’ bicycling staycation to Bloomington

Recently we helped Sara Lynch with an overnight staycation starting in Lakeville, MN. She and her husband rode to Bloomington and then back, using the HaveFunBiking maps that we publish in the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

So exactly what is a bicycling staycation?

A staycation, according to Wikipedia, is a day trip with a distance from a person’s home to another location they would like to visit. Then, adding a bicycle or other mode of transportation or a combination of both (multimodal transportation) to the adventure can expand the fun.

Sara’s staycation in the south Twin Cities Area may give you ideas.

Until recently, most of Sara and her husband’s bike adventures had been day trips. This year over the 4th of July weekend, they enjoyed their first bicycling staycation.  According to Sara, in her blog “Planet with Sara,” that all changed, “For this adventure, we started in Lakeville and biked to Bloomington with many fun stops along the way.

Sara’ bicycling staycation from Lakeville to Bloomington and back.

After spending the night in Bloomington, we biked back via a different route with even more fun stops.” Read on here for their route, recommended stops, and helpful tips for creating your own fun bicycling staycation.

Lakeville to Bloomington

On the southern edge of the Twin Cities attractions, Lakeville is a family-friendly mecca for bicycling. Offering miles of paved trails, Lakeville has three fun mountain bike areas in the area and several great road routes to enjoy. Both visitors and residents alike will find plenty of safe bike riding opportunities in this bike-friendly community. And when not riding, check out the many attractions here. See Destination Lakeville for more ideas and places to stay.

Riding to Bloomington uses paved bike/ped trails and quiet neighborhood streets; using the route pedaling through the Minnesota River Valley is approximately 25-miles to the north.

Bloomington back to Lakeville

After a restful night, you will find many cycling opportunities here in Bloomington. Located along the north bank of the Minnesota River, near the airport, you will find many bike-friendly attributes here to make it easy to get around. Thanks to the city’s paved trails and designated bike lanes. And, mountainin biking along the Minnesota River is a fun place to shred some trails for those looking for an off-road adventures. When not riding around this riverfront community, check out the world-renowned Mall of America and other points of interest while visiting. See Destination Bloomington for more ideas and places to stay.

Back to Lakeville using quiet neighborhood streets and paved bike/ped trails, the western route Sara used in her staycation was approximately 26-miles back.

Map and bike route

Thanks to Hiawatha Bicycling Club for access to their mobile map. Here are the turn-by-turn directions if you want to plan a bicycling staycation encompassing the Lakeville to Bloomington bicycling. Enjoy!