by Kerri Kolstad, Founder of Wahoo Adventures

Join us in August to see why Minnesota is the 2^nd best bicycling state in the U.S. as we tour 470 miles of the state’s Mississippi River Trail (MRT) system. Over eight days enjoy pedaling along the scenic and industrious river, from Itasca State Park to the Iowa Border.

Dipping tires at the Headwaters, at Itasca State Park, on the 2012 Mississippi River Ride -photo HaveFunBiking

In this inaugural Headwaters to Hills Bicycle Tour you will enjoy many celebrations along the way, including:

• A ribbon cutting, for the completion of the MRT, with signage along the 800 mile stretch from the Headwaters – with the MnDOT Chief of Staff, DNR Parks and Trails Director, Mississippi River Parkway Commission, and the Director of the Minnesota Bicycle Alliance
  
• A chance to ride the recently designated 72 mile stretch through the Twin Cities, by the National Park Service. With route options on both sides of the river from Dayton to Hastings, this section of the MRT is also signed as the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
• In St. Paul, at the tours halfway point, enjoy a party in the downtown area, near Old Man River, with the Mayor of the City and the National Park Service Superintendent. Then a relaxing evening at the Hotel 340. The next morning the National Park Service Rangers will lead the tour towards Hastings to begin our tour of the southern section of the MN’s MRT
• Upon arrival at the Iowa border we will celebrate our trans-state tour with balloons, barbecue, and ice cream sundaes
• And, everyone will receive personalized, autographed copy of the book “Bicycling Guide to the Mississippi River Trail” by Bob Robinson.

One of the many river crossings as the MRT makes a north, east, south and west arc through the Minnesota’s wooded forests.

The Mississippi River Trail starts right here in Minnesota!  This is a world-class bicycle route that originates and follows the river from its headwaters starting in Itasca State Park, it continues through ten states to the Gulf of Mexico. It is a 3,000-mile network of bicycle-friendly roads and multi-use paths that provides a cross-section of America.  Also known as U.S. Bike Route #45, when complete will help the U.S. Bicycle Route System encompass more than 50,000 miles of routes and create amazing new opportunities for cross-country travel, regional bicycle touring, and commuting by bicycle.  To date, 8,992 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes have been established in 18 states.

Bikers visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe, in the first city on the Mississppi River, Bemidji.

On this Headwaters to Hills Bicycle Tour we will also be celebrating with the towns we travel through, they include:

• Bemidji – Home of Paul and Babe
• Walker – Eelpout Capitol
• Brainerd – Home of Zebulon Pike – Pike’s Peak Fame
• Little Falls – Birth home of Charles A. Lindberg
• St. Cloud – Red River Ox Cart Route
• St. Paul – Tour the Fort Snelling Site
• Red Wing – Headquarters for Red Wing Potter and Red Wing Shoes
• Lake City – Birthplace of Water-skiing
• Wabasha – Relax and enjoy the National Eagle Center
• Winona – Marine Art Museum

Here is your chance to fall in love and celebrate the MRT, the river and its history that we will uncover along the way – Join Wahoo Adventures and several State Agencies this summer for this fun Headwaters to Hill Tour – with proceeds benefiting the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

Find more information about this bicycle adventure, go to the Headwaters-to-Hills Tour.