Tag Archives: #onlyinMN

Minnesota Ironman Could Be Your Crowning Glory to 30-Days Of Biking

by John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

With spring officially here, the 51st Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride is now just a little over a month away and coincides perfectly with the 30-Days of Biking. If you are not familiar with this international movement to ride your bike each day in April, what better way to crown your achievement. Ride your bike each day through the month. Then on April 30th, gain bragging rights while touring one of several scenic routes (25 to 100-miles) at the Minnesota Ironman Ride, out in Waconia!

Make a Pledge To Do 30-Days of Biking and The Minnesota Ironman

Participating in the 30-Days of Biking is as simple as pledging to ride 30-days in April and sharing your photos and reason for riding with the hashtag #30daysofbiking. What could be a better reason then getting ready for the Minnesota Ironman? Taking the 30 day pledge and then registering for the Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride is an amazing motivation to get out there and feel your best!

Your rides all Count

A quick trips to the store, riding in an underground parking lot, or pedaling inside on your stationary bike counts

April is the gateway to summer here in the Minnesota. Average highs are normally in the 50s and 60s that help bring about the emerald landscape that Minnesota summers are known for. Plus, April is the perfect time to integrate biking into your weekly routine. A quick bike trip to the grocery store, a leisurely ramble around the block after dinner, or an adventurous journey into the wilds of Minnesota. They all count towards your 30-Days of Biking pledge. Beyond those rides counting toward your pledge, they also prepare you for the Ironman and the summer ahead.

If you are a bit more ambitious and need some support in your 30-day’s or pre-Ironman training, reach out to Coach Bob McEnaney. He’s at Total Cycling Performance and a Minnesota Ironman partner. Bob is available for individual coaching services and runs bi-weekly indoor trainer rides (Monday & Thursday) at Penn Cycle’s Woodbury location. He also publishes weekly workouts on Wednesdays that are a great way to stay motivated.

Kickoff April the Right Way

There is no better way to get started with your 30-Days of Biking pledge than ridding with others who have made the same commitment. On Saturday, April 1st, meet at the Commons Park, in Minneapolis. Bell Lap Coffee is offering artisan roasted coffee staring at 11 a.m. and a ride leaves at noon. Surly Brewing, knows how to finish up a great ride. They are hosting an after party for the riders at their brewery (every ride is rewarded with one complimentary beer or beverage).

Is your Equipment Ready?

If you haven’t done it yet, pull your bike out of storage and do your A, B, C’ Quick Check (air, brakes and chain/crank). Start by cleaning it, then Lube the chain, put air in the tires, and take it for a ride. Taking a ride will give you a good idea of how far out of adjustment your bike may be. If your bike is not working well or you need a bit more gear to stay comfortable riding in spring weather, stop by your local shop now.

When you bring your bike into a local shop for service, take time to make sure your bike fits you properly. A good bike fit will lower the chance of repetitive motion injuries and make you a more comfortable and efficient rider. You can have a friend help you check the basics or have your shop take a professional look. Both Eric’s and Penn Cycle are Ironman sponsors and certified bike fitters that can help your.

Riding 30 days in April will also expose you to all types of weather. Use the poor weather days to test your riding clothing. Be sure you have the gear you need to be comfortable in poor weather, as you may need it for Ironman Sunday.

With just 30 days separating you and the Minnesota Ironman there is no time to waste. Use daylight savings and the warmer weather to your advantage and ride as frequently as you can. The more time you can put on your bicycle before Minnesota’s first major bike ride will pay off. Especially when planning and participating in your #NextBikeAdventure this spring and throughout the summer.

Bike Pic March 15, Being Active Is What Keeps Us Healthy and Having Fun!

Biking isn’t for everyone, but being out there and being active is awesome. So whether you bike, hike, ski, board, skate, or whatever else there is out there, at least you’re being active and promoting a healthy lifestyle to enjoy life to the fullest!

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Being Active is what Keeps us Healthy Pic

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 highlighting 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. Please share all our picks with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with one of our camera’s ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next Pic of the Day posts.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 10, Winter Weather Is Back, Be Sure to Dress For It

Winter weather is back and now we’re all itching for that warm weather but based on forecasts it might not be for another week. So make sure to dress appropriately if you’re gonna head out for a ride. Also, make sure you never forget your helmet. Safety first!

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Winter Weather is Back Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 9, Daylight Savings Time Begins, Bring On More Daylight

It’s been a windy March the last couple of days and we hope none of your gear has blown away, that said, daylight savings time begins this Sunday at 2.a.m. So that means it’s time to spring forward and enjoy longer days!

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Daylight Savings Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 8, Boy Scouts Preparing To Roll Down the Root River Trail

A Twin Cities Boy Scouts bike group preparing to roll down the Root River Trail, out of Fountain, MN, after a troop salute.

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Boy Scouts on the Root River Trail Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 7, Mother Nature Is At It Again With Another Tease

Happy Tuesday! Mother nature is at it again everyone! With the line of storms that moved through yesterday and now the cool weather we’re experiencing today, we’re not quite sure what the rest of the month will bring. We hope that you have enjoyed the nice weather the past few days because it sounds like we may be in for a cold tone. So bundle up and have fun on your next ride or hiking the trail.

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Mother Nature is at it Again Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 6, Pay Attention To Cyclists and Cars, Whats Wrong With This Photo?

With the warm weather becoming more frequent as the days become longer, make sure either when driving your bike or car to pay attention and be alert. In this ‘pic of the day’ whats wrong with the subjects in this image?

The group of cyclists are all wearing helmets and some are properly signaling for a left-hand turn that they are all preparing to make. The problem is the majority of the cyclists are over on the right shoulder? They are not following, two-a-breast, the lead biker who is over to the far left preparing to make a safe turn – using good driving practice procedures. If you were driving a car and approached this group of bicyclist from behind would you be a little confused to their intentions?

Please, Share the Road, drive your bike as you would your car and enjoy the nice weather!

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Pay Attention to Cyclists Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 4, Miles Of Smiles, Early Summer Memories

With some early, warm weather March rides now in the picture we’re getting back into our miles of smiles Saturday posts! This weeks pic features some ladies making some early summer memories. Are you out enjoying the nice temps this weekend?

View the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Miles of Smiles Summer Memories Bike Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic March 3, Friday Family Fun-day Prepping For The Weekend

It’s Friday Family Fun-day! Kick off the start of this beautiful weekend by getting out those bikes and prepping them to go outside. Tomorrow is looking very promising for spring like weather! So enjoy some quality family time and plan your #nextBikeAdventure.

View the winter Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide edition and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Friday Family Fun-day Prepping Bike Pic

Have a great day!

The Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride: How to Start Preparing 60 Days Out!

By John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

The 51st Minnesota Ironman is now only two months away. If you have been reading and following our Ironman preparation articles, then congratulations, you are well on your way to earning those well deserved bragging rights. However, If you are just now starting to get ready, don’t fret, you have plenty of time to get prepared for a great ride through Waconia’s beautiful landscape. Wherever you feel comfortable on the preparedness spectrum, read on for helpful tips to get you ready.

You Need to Believe that You can Complete the Minnesota Ironman

No matter if you ride 15, 45 or a 100-miles, no swimming or running is required and bragging rights are always guaranteed at the end at the Minnesota Ironman.

Thousands of riders test their meddle every spring in the Minnesota Ironman. The first (and, for some, the greatest) challenge is committing your mind to complete an Ironman. The easiest way to get your mind on board is to register. Countless peripheral excuses to not complete go away once you register. Even if the weather is poor or you feel less than 100% that morning, as a registered rider, the chances of you going out are a lot higher. Once registered, Make a plan to get ready. The plan should include getting your body, your equipment, and the details of the event day ready.

Get Your Body Ready

Ride, Ride, Ride, wherever you can!

As the weather here in the Twin Cities is breaking, we are beginning to see signs of a spring thaw. Periodic warmer days give you the opportunity to check out the local trails or riding routes in your immediate area. If they are clear, take advantage of every nice day and get out to ride. In addition to sporadic rides as the weather permits, sign up for a spin class once a week, or go to a trainer class.

The Minnesota Ironman team realizes that undertaking an event of this difficulty can require help. For that help, they have partnered with Coach Bob McEnaney at Total Cycling Performance. Bob is available for individual coaching services and also runs bi-weekly indoor trainer rides (Monday & Thursday) at Penn Cycle’s Woodbury location. He publishes weekly workouts on Wednesdays that are a great way to stay motivated.

If riding is not in the forecast for you right now, try to focus some time on fitness. Getting your heartbeat up for an hour or two a week will pay deep dividends once the spring weather rolls in for good.

Get Your Equipment Ready

Knock the cobwebs and dust off!

If you haven’t done it yet, pull your bike out of mothballs. Lube the chain , put air in the tires, and take a ride. Taking a ride will give you a good idea of how far out of adjustment your bike may be. If the weather is poor, going for a ride will also give you the chance to test if your riding gear is comfortable in poor weather.

Cold weather gear like jackets, shoes, and tights are in ample supply at your local shop now, but if you wait until just before the Ironman, pickings may be slim. Also, waiting until the last minute to have your bike serviced might not be possible based on your shop’s schedule.

If your bike needs to be serviced, that’s a great time to think about making sure your bike fits you properly. A good bike fit will lower the chance of repetitive motion injuries, and make you more comfortable and efficient. You can have a friend help you check the basics or have your shop take a professional look. Both Eric’s and Penn Cycle are Ironman sponsors and certified bike fitters.

Start Planning for the Day of The Minnesota Ironman

Riding as a group is fun!

At 60 days out you should feel comfortable encouraging family and friends to do the ride with you. Counter potential poor weather with good vibes by riding with a group who all ride at a similar speed. If your friends and family don’t want to ride, encourage them to come out and cheer you on at a set destination on the course. Your own personal cheer squad can be all the motivation you need to conquer those last 5 miles. After the ride you can all meet for dinner (giving you a chance to test out those newly earned bragging rights).

Speaking of food, 60 days out is the perfect time to see how your body handles different foods while exercising. Start testing foods like sports gels, power bars, and sports drinks to see how your body reacts as you ride. Knowing what your body prefers ahead of time will ensure you can maintain your energy the day of the event by eating foods your body is used to.

60 days is all that currently stands between you and your bragging rights. Be proactive and start to prepare for the 2017 Minnesota Ironman now.