Tag Archives: North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix

A fun event drawing in professional bicycle racers for some great blood, sweat, and gear competition around every turn, the North Star Grand Prix (NSGP).

Last week to save Minnesota’s North Star Grand Prix and bike festival

Do you like the idea of having the excitement of bicycle racing here in Minnesota? A fun bike event drawing in professional bicycle racers for some great blood, sweat, and gear competition around every turn? If so, the organizers of the North Star Grand Prix (NSGP) would appreciate any and all assistance in the final week to help them save the event.

Racing around a tight corner on the popular Minneapolis Uptown course (photo Stephanie Williams)

 

 

 

A fun bike event since 1999

The North Star Grand Prix volunteers have worked for the last year to upgrade the twentieth annual event to a Women’s 2.2 UCI Stage Race and ‘Bring the World’ to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. They have secured three great venues and race courses to showcase high-quality professional bicycle racing for fans, athletes, and host communities.

An all-out sprint to the finish line in Downtown St Paul (photo Stephanie Williams)

The North Star Grand Prix faces a budget shortfall for 2019 and has set a May 3rd deadline to raise the necessary funds. If at that time the funds are not secured the event will be canceled for 2019 and the organization will make no further efforts to host the event in the future. The North Star Grand Prix is still open to any and all sponsorship discussions and also has created a GoFundMe page to raise the necessary funds to host the 2019 event.

Can you help?

Please consider supporting this event on their GoFundMe page and share the link on your social media platforms.

For sponsor opportunities, contact [email protected]

A victory crossing the finish line (photo Stephanie Williams)

The NSGP Minnesota stage race was first held in 1999 and was known as the Nature Valley Grand Prix up until 2014. … Originally, organizers planned a five-day stage race, June 12-16. However, they have since scaled back plans, making it a three-day event. It is tentatively scheduled for June 14-16 if funding can be secured.

One last major bike race (holiday) before the school year photo was captured at the North Star Bicycle Festival and race that happens each June, in Stiillwater, MN.

Bike Pic Sept 2, One Last Major Bike Race or Holiday Before School

One last major bike race (holiday) before the school year, this photo was captured at the North Star Bicycle Festival that happens in Stiillwater, MN, each year. Supporting the Minnesota Special Olympics, the Bike Festival, sponsored by K’ul Chocolate, allows the whole family to have fun watching pro racers battle for position while fun kids races are scheduled in between heats.

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

Thanks for viewing the Last Major Bike Race Pic 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 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!

Coffee comes first, as the K'ul Chocolate Team states here. Picture taken at the 2016 North Star Bicycle Festival, in Stillwater.

Bike Pic Aug 23, the K’ul Chocolate team knows coffee comes first

History shows coffee comes first and was discovered long before the bicycle. So a cup of java should be first in the order of things to start ones day. Thanks to a number of reports and legends surrounding coffee, the first users of this stimulating refreshment goes back to the 10th century. Where as the earliest bicycle, the German draisine,  only dates back to 1817.  So, thanks to the K’ul Chocolate team for bringing this fact to our attention, on a shirt, at the North Star Bike Festival Races, in Stillwater, MN this summer.

As coffee comes first and you enjoy that perfectly brewed cup of Peace Coffee, maybe paired with a piece of K’ul Chocolate, please page through all the bike friendly places to explore in the new 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 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!

Bike Pic June 23, fun at the bicycle races

Fun at the bike races! Here spectators watch as professional racers from around the U.S compete at the North Star Bicycle Festival and Grand Prix, last Sunday, in Stillwater, MN.

MN Bike Guide

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

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 19, Fathers Day wishes at the races!

Here is a man running along side and supporting his daughter as she participates in the North Star Bike Festival, Park Dental Kid’s Race last year on Fathers Day, in Stillwater MN.

About the North Star Bicycle Festival

The Festival draws the top pro/elite racers from all over the country and this Sunday’s event is the sixth and final stage of this years race. Today the Festival concludes in Stillwater, MN. See the full schedule here.

Find many more bike friendly events and places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 18, North Star Bike Festival in Mankato today

Bike racers at last years North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix, in Stillwater, MN are jockeying for position as they head up ChilKoot Hill on the final stage of the 2015 race.

About the North Star Bicycle Festival

The Festival draws the top pro/elite racers from all over the country and this Saturday’s event is the fifth stage of this years race. Today the Festival moves to North Mankato, then on Sunday all points are counted up from the last five stages and the race concludes in Stillwater, MN. See the full schedule here.

Find many more bike friendly events and places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the

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

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 17, ice cream smiles Friday – on race day!

Here a young lad is so intent on his cool treat, before the North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix last year in Minneapolis Uptown Area, he is smiling within while bicyclists zip around him.

About the North Star Bicycle Festival

The Festival draws the top pro/elite racers from all over the country and this Friday’ evening event if the fourth sage of this years race. Today the Festival moves to Minneapolis, then on Saturday it is in North Mankato and Sunday all points are counted up and the race concludes in Stillwater, MN. See the full schedule here.

Find many more bike friendly events and places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 16, North Star Bike Festival in Cannon Falls today

Kids racing their bikes at last year’s North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix, in Stiilwater, MN, where everyone was a winner!

About the North Star Bicycle Festival

The Festival draws the top pro/elite racers from all over the country and started last night in St. Paul, MN. Today the Festival moves to Cannon Falls, then on Friday evening it is in the Minneapolis Uptown Area, Saturday it is in North Mankato and Sunday all points are counted up and the race concludes in Stillwater, MN. See the full schedule here.

Find many more bike friendly events and places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic June 15, North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix opens tonight

Penn Cycle & Fitness set up at last year’s North Star Bike Festival and Grand Prix, ready to help all participants check over their bikes for the Kid’s Race, where everyone was a winner!

About the North Star Bicycle Festival

The Festival draws the top pro/elite racers from all over the country, starting tonight in St. Paul, MN. Thursday the Festival moves to Cannon Falls, then on Friday evening it is in the Minneapolis Uptown Area, Saturday it is in North Mankato and Sunday all points are counted up and the race concludes in Stillwater, MN. See the full schedule here.

Find many more bike friendly events and places to ride and explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB). 

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle tourism media source, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As HFB searches and presents more fun cycling related photos, worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted that may help you Find Your Next Adventure. Then, while out there if you see us along a paved or mountain bike trail, next to the route you regularly commute on, or at an event you plan to attend, be prepared to smile. You never know where our cameras will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us post? If so, please send it our way and we may use it. Send your picture(s) to: [email protected] with a brief caption (of each), including who is in the photo (if you know?) and where it was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 800 pixels wide or larger for us to consider using them. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and an acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As HaveFunBiking continues to encourage more people to ride, please reference our blog and the annual print and quarterly digital Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide to Find Your Next Adventure. We are proud of the updated  At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for at the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of information, now available for mobile devices.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in one of the next photos we post.

Have a great day!