Tag Archives: #onlyinMN

Bike Pic July 30, a perfect day to be out with the family

A bike perfect day to be out with the family. Photo was shoot and the North Star Bike Festival in Stillwater MN, just before the kids races.

Find many more bike friendly places to 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 Pick July 29, ice cream smiles Friday!

Stopping at Doc’s, in Spring Grove, for some ice cream before riding further on the the annual Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour. Next years ride will take place again on the second week of July. Watch for further details in future posts.

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

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

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!

Enjoying the Parks by Bike – Coon Rapids

Emily Stocker, HaveFunBiking.com

Biking along the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), you will find many great communities to explore. One of which is the great Coon Rapids, MN a wonderful town with great parks to keep you entertained. While enjoying the 40 miles of bike trails surrounding the city of Coon Rapids, take some detours through a few of the 40+ parks there.

Lions Coon Creek Park

With large play structure and plenty of bike trails, Lions Park is a fun place to visit.

As the park with the largest play structure in Coon Rapids, everyone will love Lions Coon Creek Park. Bring your lunch with you to enjoy in one of the picnic shelters in between the activities that can be done there. The park totals about 15 acres and has features for park-goers of all ages. Kids will love the playground and parents will love the walking trails. Get some friends together for a great game of bocce, basketball, or volleyball. After a round or two, then unpack that lunch and take a bite to eat before the next game.

Bunker Beach

Feeling like a cool challenge is in order, take a chance in the park walking the “wiggly water walk”

On a hot summer day, the perfect place to cool off is at Bunker Beach. Bike there from the MRT or from your hotel. From a playground and sand volleyball court to the lazy river and water slides, Bunker Beach has something for everyone. Afterward, check out the wave pool where three-foot waves run for fifteen minutes intervals every ten minutes. For extra fun try out the waves on a tube. For those feeling a bit adventurous, take a chance walking the “wiggly water walk” in the plunge pool. Here, you can balance your way across lily pads using only the cargo net above as a source of stability.

Dog Parks

Bring your furry friend with you on your next bike ride and stop by the Dog Park in Coon Rapids. A great place for you to enjoy the fresh air and let your dog roam and interact with other dogs. Open from 6 a.m. to half an hour past sunset, this is a wonderful place to let your dog run free. The dog park also has a large off-the-leash area.

So the next time you are biking near Coon Rapids swing by one of the city’s parks for a great time.

The Art of Biking- all things Fridley

Emily Stocker, HaveFunBiking.com

The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) takes cyclists through the remarkable art communities that create the Twin Cities Gateway. One of these nine communities is the city of Fridley, MN just north of downtown Minneapolis. Here the community offers a one of a kind experience for art and bike lovers alike. From live theatre to a stunning gallery, everyone will feel inspired after taking a look at the creative scene in bike-friendly Fridley.

Banfill-Locke Center for Art

Enjoy the beautiful garden as you enter the the Banfill-Locke Center for the Art in Fridley.

Enjoy the beautiful garden as you enter the Banfill-Locke Center for the Art in Fridley.

Just off of the MRT the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts makes a great rest stop on your bike ride. Stop in to cool off and admire the works in the gallery. Maybe pick up a gift for another art lover in their gift shop. If seeing all the collections inspires you, consider making the trip to Banfill-Locke regularly and sign up for a class. Find a class that would best fit your schedule, from a single lesson to an eight week workshop. The Banfill-Locke Center has classes in literary, visual, and self-discovery arts. The center also allows poetry enthusiasts to appreciate the art live by bringing in local poets.

The Banfill-Locke Center for the Art’s newest exhibit opens on July 30 with a reception open to the public. This new exhibition “Art of Darkness” features a variety of pieces all inspired by the paranormal. This exhibit will be open until August 27th.

Fridley Community Theatre

Come by bike or car the “Lady Pirates of Captain Bree” is a show you are sure, to not want to miss.

Along with wonderful art, Fridley also has a renowned community theatre. With three productions a year, the community theatre works hard to bring wonderful live theatre to its audience. For this year’s summer production the actors are grabbing their eye patches and are prepared for “The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree”. The show opened last weekend, but don’t worry if you missed it. There are three more shows this weekend. Watch the promo clip to get a taste of what to look forward to in the show on their website.

So bike on over to Fridley to get your fill of all things art.

A real summer treat for bicyclists, Tour De Pines Ride

In Northern Minnesota, the Tour De Pines Bike Ride is a real summer treat. Sponsored by Hostelling International (HI) USA, this is the 8th annual Tour. Scheduled for Saturday, August 20^th, it originates and ends in Itasca State Park to provide all levels of bicycling fun and challenges. From a family friendly 25 mile course, to a 50 or 75 mile option, all routes are fully supported.

In Northern Minnesota, the Tour De Pines Bike Ride is a real summer treat, scheduled for Saturday, August 20th.

Ride with old and new friends in Northern Minnesota, on the Tour De Pines Bike Ride Saturday, August 20th.

Tour DE Pines support the Mississippi Headwaters Hostel

The proceeds from this bike ride help to support the Mississippi Headwaters Hostel. The Hostel is located in Itasca State Park, north of Park Rapids MN. This lovely 31-bed hostel is open year round for guests who seek a north woods adventure, enjoying the full Itasca Park experience.

The first state park in Minnesota, Itasca State Park, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this summer. It is the Mississippi Headwaters that brings in the biggest draw for the park. This attracts about 500,000 visitors annually.

According to Jon Ridge, Hostelling International Regional Director, “Bicycling in the Park on the quiet country roads in and around Itasca is why we started the Tour De Pines eight years ago. At this time of the year, summer weather seems to be grand and the riders appreciate all the Tour has to offer. So make a weekend out of the ride. There are things to do for the whole family regardless if you bike or not: Explore the park, Climb the viewing tower, Visit Historic Douglas Lodge, or take a family photo at the Headwaters. Summertime in Itasca State Park is incredible!”

Registration is now open: $40 for Adults, $20 for Youth. Registration and ride details can be found at www.TourDePines.org.

HI Mississippi Headwaters hostel is a beautifully restored log building. Constructed in 1923 as the park headquarters, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Itasca State Park was recently rated as one of the nation’s top 50 state parks by National Geographic.

Hayward waits for bridge to complete Blazing Star Trail

The Hayward, MN trail’s new east end trail head dedication was held Sunday, July 17th with country fan-fare. At the celebration of the Blazing Star Trail was Joel Wagar (from MN DNR) and Peggy Bennett (MN Representative). Hayward Mayor, Mike Hansen, was also present to cut the ribbon. Now the communities of Albert Lea and Hayward wait patiently for the bridge over Albert Lea Lake to connect the two section of the trail. Everyone was optimistic that funding for the bridge will come in the next legislative session, so the trail could be completed by 2018.

The Hayward/Blazing Star Trail Head Celebration

The east end of the Blazing Star Trail has about a mile and a half of pavement.

The dedication and fun was held at the Hayward City Park, located about four miles east of Albert Lea. After the ribbon cutting, kid’s from four to ninety enjoyed the events planned. Throughout the afternoon, people enjoyed games, bike/walk events, lemonade (at the west end of the trail), root beer floats, and prizes.

Blazing Star to the Mississippi River

Resident and visitors rode their bikes on the new section of the Blazing Star Trail, enjoying lemonade and cookies at the end before returning back to Hayward.

While waiting for the bridge over Albert Lea Lake, the DNR is planning on scheduled meetings. The meetings will discuss possible options to eventually extend the trail. This would be from Hayward to Austin. Once the bridge over Albert Lea Lake is completed, adjacent to a Canadian Pacific Railroad bridge, the they hope to connect it to the Shooting Star Trail in Austin.

The Blazing Star trail head, in Hayward, has a new rest room facilitates, bike racks and a fix-it-station in the park there.

Once the trail reaches Austin, it would be about 20 miles long. With long term goals set, someday bicyclists will have the ability to ride from Albert Lea to Austin.

Biking around Albert Lea

Known as the “Land Between the Lakes,” Albert Lea is nestled between Albert Lea Lake and Fountain Lake. Geographically located at the crossroads of Interstate I-90 and Interstate 35W, in southern Minnesota, this charming community offers many bike touring options. Today you will find a relaxing setting to bike with family and friends. You can do this while enjoying some of southern Minnesota’s hospitality. Along with the blazing Star Trail, we found that the roads around Fountain Lake are reminiscent of Lake of the Isles, in Minneapolis.

For more information contact the Albert Lea Tourism Center.

Bike Pic July 22, ice cream smiles Friday!

Ice Cream Smiles Friday on the Root River Trail. Here in this photo a couple of bike riders on the Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Tour enjoy some cool treats on this hot day in Lanesboro, MN.

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

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

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 July 20, a cool place to ride

When the weather gets hot a great place to bike is out in the woods on a mountain bike trail. This photo was captured in Lebanon Park, near Lakeville MN.

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

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

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 July 18, Log Jam Days celebration a hit

Bike riders on the Gateway Trail found the 82nd Annual Log Jam Days in Stillwater, MN, a hit this last weekend, even with high water forcing the event to move inland. See what took place over the weekend on their Facebook page.

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

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

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!

An easy bike ride to the “Slice” of Shoreview

Are you planning on visiting or looking for something to do in the north side of Minnesota’s Twin Cities Metro Area next weekend with your bike? If so, check out the popular ‘Slice of Shoreview‘ see (map). One of nine entertaining towns of the Twin Cities Gateway Area, this event on July 22nd to July 24th is at Island Lake County Park and gets better each year.

The Slice of Shoreview

The “Slice of Shoreview” is held at Island Lake County Park with music each day.

It’s an annual festival held to celebrate life in Shoreview. The “Slice”, as it has come to be known, takes place over a weekend of July. It incorporates a wide variety of family-oriented activities. Some of which include a carnival, parade, arts/crafts fair, food vendors, helicopter rides, various displays, and demonstrations. Not to mention lots of entertainment from talent shows, the Rockin Hollywoods, and, of-course, fireworks. Since the late 1990’s, it has taken place at Island Lake Park at the intersection of Interstate 694 and Victoria Street, in Shoreview.

You will find many flavors of good things to eat at the “Slice of Shoreview”.

The name Shoreview came from the range of hills surrounding the center of the area while overlooking the lakes there. Today, you can experience numerous attractions that this picturesque city has to offer. Just ten miles north of both Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Shoreview is set amidst a beautiful natural landscape for riding your bike, playing golf and having fun.

Come by bike, the “Slice of Shoreview” is easy to get to and has free bike parking.

Shoreview’s beautiful environment includes lakes, parks, wetlands, and open space areas. There are eleven lakes here including three with public beaches. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation in 14 parks and the City has more than 50 miles of trails and sidewalks. And, don’t forget about the Slice of Shoreview Days, a weekend full of fun featuring an art fair, parade, and more for the whole family. See a full schedule for “Slice” here. Have Fun!

Find many more bike friendly places at Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.