Tag Archives: MN bike tour

Bike tour intersects scenic bluff roads with the Root River Trail

Want to explore the bike friendly bluff roads that crisscross the Root River trail system, while enjoying the local foods & history of Southeast Minnesota’s ‘Driftless’ area?

Starting in Whalan, Friday, July 8th through Sunday, the 10th the eight towns of the Root River Trail will host the Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour, a 3-day bike ride that showcases many of the hidden gems that you won’t see from the trail. With a scenic route that traverses the country side on quite roadways and byways, intertwining with the popular trail system, discover the magic of Bluff Country. Limited to the first 150 cyclist who registered, here is an overview of the three day bike adventure of a life time.

Two riders cruising the Root River bluffs, in Southeast Minnesota, training for RAGBRAI, in Iowa.

Two bike riders cruising the Root River bluffs, in Southeast Minnesota, training for RAGBRAI, in Iowa.

After a hearty Bluff Country breakfast the tour leaves out of Whalan, on the root River Trail visiting Lanesboro, then out into the bluffs. Now up, out of the valley the tour circles through some of the areas contoured farmlands making a stop in Fountain (the Sinkhole Capitol of the World) for some refreshments. Then it’s on to Preston for lunch. After visiting the National Trout Center here the tour heads south to Harmony, your overnight hosts for Friday evening. Arriving before the evening fun begins cool off with an afternoon tour of the Niagara Caves and enjoy the Amish culture in and around town.

Here cyclists are enjoying the many delicious delicacies available near many of the Root River trail towns.

Here on bike, many enjoy the delicious home-town delicacies available near many of the Root River trail towns.

Saturday morning, after breakfast, the tour heads east on the Amish Buggy Byway. On this stretch of the Bluff & Valley Tour riders will pass though farmlands still cultivated by horses and roadside signs, near farmsteads, offering honey and other whole-food Amish delicacies. At the halfway point, for lunch the tour will enter Minnesota’s first Norwegian settlement where many Selfie opportunities exist. Back on the road again the tour rolls through another scenic valley before arriving in Houston your host town for Saturday evening. After checking out the National Owl Center and bike art there, tour riders will take part in a dinner party and evening of fun and music.

A group riding the scenic roads out of Houston, one of the Root River Trail Towns in Minnesota.

A group riding bike on the scenic roads out of Houston, one of the Root River Trail Towns in Minnesota.

Sunday morning, after enjoying a little bit more of Houston’s hospitality the meandering Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour visits a town of the past, named because a settler lost his money in a creek there. The tour now turns west, up Vinegar Hill, making its way back along the Root River’s north-face bluffs. When you see a clearing in the hills with the name Rushford etched in white, you will be coasting into town for lunch and more Selfie opportunities around the historic depot while there. Then, it’s one more (gradual) climb and you are coasting back down to the Root River Trail, in Peterson. Here, explore their Norwegian Museum and taste some of the best desserts on the Root River Trail before returning back to Whalan.

The Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour is best suited for cyclists of intermediate ability and above. Daily mileage will range from 50 – 68 miles (century options are available upon request) on paved roads, with some riding on the famous Root River Trail. The terrain in this area very rolling with a few long, 8+ grade climbs. For more information and registration forms click here.

Drumming Librarian’s Bike Tour Showcases South MN Fun

What a fun way to see some of Minnesota’s charm then on a bike, with old and new friends, touring several towns in southern Minnesota. Recently Bob Lincoln (the Drumming Librarian) from Tour of Minnesota shared with me final route plans for the June 12th – 19th adventure. Along the way see: the cheese caves in Faribault; the vintage bikes in Austin; and try Pickleball in Albert Lea as you enjoy the all the components of a well-organized bike tour.

Young and old, riders always have fun on the Tour of Minnesota

Young and old, riders always have fun on the Tour of Minnesota

In Bob’s words, “the Tour of Minnesota formerly the Klobuchar Ride, is heading south this year, straight south.

We will begin our 325 mile cycling adventure in the scenic riverside town of Chaska for our rendezvous on Friday June 12th. We will be camping at Chaska Middle School West. Then after breakfast we will cycle 55 miles to Faribault, where we will visit the historic cheese caves and enjoy our first overnight stop.

There is always plenty of green space for campers on the Tour of Minnesota.

There is always plenty of green space for campers on the Tour of Minnesota.

On Sunday we head to Austin for our second night and a visit to the Bike Museum there, after a 75 mile jaunt. The Rydjor Bicycle Museum has a beautiful assortment of vintage bicycles.

Directly following our longest day, is our shortest day and a day off in Albert Lea where there is plenty to do lakeside and we can get in on a game of Pickleball. I can’t wait to try it.

With a luggage truck hauling all your gear and SAG support close by, you can ride lite.

With a luggage truck hauling all your gear and SAG support close by, you can ride lite.

On our day off, take a field trip to Myre Big Island State Park. After our day off we head to the fairgrounds in Owatonna.

Rest stops and lunches along the route offer riders a energy boost and taste of the region. From Owatonna to Northfield, we will be having lunch at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, a beautiful park. On the last night we will stay on the campus of St. Olaf and if you prefer to get a room in one of the dorms that is an option for a nominal fee.

Rest stops and lunches along the route offer riders a energy boost and taste of the region.

Rest stops and lunches along the route offer riders a energy boost and taste of the region.

We hope you can join us. Registration closes May 15th and the tour cost $410. which includes meals on ride days, transportation of gear, bicycle repair, camping accommodations and a commemorative high tech t-shirt.”

Registration for the Tour of Minnesotais: https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=30980, If you would like to stay in Thorson Hall at St. Olaf, please email and I will send you the form.

Jerseys and shirts: https://www.raceit.com/shop/?event=30980

If you are courious of how how much fun you will have, checkout the 2014 Tour of Minnesota Video (5-minutes) at: http://youtu.be/8hNubQyjrps

For questions or further information contact: Bob Lincoln, LCI, Ride Director of the The Tour of Minnesota at: [email protected]  or 952-215-5056