Tag Archives: Road biking Wisconsin

Bike Pic March 07, rolling past the Nodine Culvert Man

Looking through the HFB archives, this bike pic Thursday, we found these two biker dudes cruising past the Nodine Culvert Man on a ride out of Winona, MN, a few years back.

So adjust to the warmer temps and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic

Now rolling through our 20th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile-friendly in our 15th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have fun as we pedal into 2024!

Bike Pic July 29, a fun animated water stop for hydration

Here in this bike pic Thursday, we captured this biker dude filling his water bottle from a fun animated water fountain.

Get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking Destinations. An now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic  

Now rolling through our 16th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, our goal is 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 places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know 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 it was shot? Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 13th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have a great day, with a safe, memorable 2021!

Ice cream smiles Friday, at the La Crosse Bicycle Festival. Here is a family who just checked to the events and found one of the four unique sweet shops in town.

Ice Cream Smiles Friday, kicks off with the La Crosse Bike Festival

 

Ice cream smiles Friday, before the Annual Bicycle Festival in La Crosse, WI this weekend. Here in this photo a family, after checking in at Cameron Park in Downtown La Crosse found one of the four unique sweet shops in town to get a head start on all the fun over Labor day Weekend.

Here today, on ice cream smiles Friday, families from all over the country gather to enjoy the many in-town bike tours tours. While touring cyclist relish the scenic roads that showcase the bluffs and valleys of the Driftless Areas, in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, to ride.

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

Thanks for viewing the Ice Cream Smiles Friday Pic 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!

Bike Pic Aug 19, ice cream smiles Friday!

This Ice cream smiles photo was shot as a family enjoyed the cool treats at a rest stop while participating in the LaCrosse Area Bicycle Festival, last year. An annual event over Labor Day Weekend, everyone can find a free ride or two that fits there bicycling interests. You will find ride opportunities in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. From the themed rides around town, like the Ice Cream Tours, the pump track and mountain bike events in the bluffs and scenic road tour, there is something for the whole family and skill levels.

Find many more ice cream smiles, bike friendly places and events 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!

Bic Pic July 28, area bicycle festival tours two states

Fun in Minnesota’s Bluff Country. Here Scott Larson, Mary Derks and friend of the Swiss Cheese & Spotted Cow Bike Tour ride through the Root River Valley, east of Houston, MN, at the Annual La Crosse Area Bike Festival held each Labor Day Weekend.

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!

summer

Swiss Cheese and Spotted Cows Bicycle Tour openings available

by, Sherri Larson

On day-three of last years Swiss Cheese and Spotted Cows Bicycle Tour, my friend Liz and I knew we were close to our destination. Our cue sheet indicated only ten or so miles remained of the 65-miles for the day. The sweet rolls and cookies from the Mennonite bakery at mile-17 were a distant memory and we were tired, hungry, hot and thirsty.

When he isn't biking this cyclist is eager for a new experience like milking a cow, which he did on the 2015 Swiss Cheese & Spotted Cow Bicycle Tour.

When he isn’t biking this cyclist is eager for a new experience like milking a cow, which he did on the 2015 Swiss Cheese & Spotted Cow Bicycle Tour.

It sometimes astounded us how long we could go without pedaling, which energized us all for the next climb.

Our cycling group of fifty adults was coordinated by tour leader Mary Derks and a small support staff. We began with a get-acquainted meal while spending the  night in Mineral Point, WI. The next morning, our group of all ages and experience levels pedaled a parade of bright colors along the nearly traffic-free Wisconsin roads. It’s a hilly area of Wisconsin, but each ascent was of course met by an exhilarating downhill.  It sometimes astounded us how long we could go without pedaling, which energized us all for the next climb. Our route would wind through the quiet farmlands and include hotel stays in New Glarus and Monroe, WI. and Galena, IL.

The New Glarus Brewery was the pinnacle experience of day one and it wasn’t just the beer. The small town nestled between rolling hills is called “Little Switzerland” for obvious reasons. We enjoyed an authentic Swiss meal and local entertainment.

A statute of a cow graces the front of a business in New Glarus, WI.

A statute of a cow gracing the front of a business in New Glarus, WI.

After a second day of riding, Monroe greeted us through the hospitable and generous Minhas Brewery tour and a meal at Turner Hall, where local musicians and historians entertained us. We added a stop at a local bar for a Limburger cheese sandwich, an undeniably distinct moment.

On our third day, as we neared Galena, Liz and I slowly ascended another of the many hills surrounding the town. Eager to explore the town, we hoped to visit the many unique shops, restaurants, wineries, and historic sites. We might tour the home of Ullysses S. Grant; or we might pretend to give a speech as Lincoln had, from the balcony of our hotel, the DeSoto?

Approaching, we shifted down into the “granniest” of gears, propelled with thoughts of how close we were to a shower, clean clothes and beer. These last ten miles were not a straight, flat stretch. This area is called the “driftless region,” which means it has hills–rolling and winding, long and steep, like asphalt ribbons between farm fields and meadows, and pastures.

Mary Dirks, tour director and Scott Larson on the 2015 Swiss Cheese & Spotted Cow Bicycle Tour.

Mary Dirks, tour director and Scott Larson on the 2015 Swiss Cheese & Spotted Cow Bicycle Tour.

We should not have been surprised at the challenge of this particular climb. We were approaching Council Hill Road, Illinois’ highest point of elevation. At one point, Liz claimed “a determined, scurrying daddy long legs spider passed her on the hill”. Laughing hysterically at what I hoped was an exaggeration, we surged forward with determination, intently…finally!

Breathless and reaching heart rate records, we witnessed a direct act of God at the top: a quaint church with a water spigot to refill our bottles. And just then, we also saw the support van. The sag vehicle drivers provided cold water, Gatorade, bananas and “chin-dripping peaches”–like manna from heaven!  We were encouraged that we had only one more climb before the long and swift downhill into town. As we clipped into our pedals, energized by this feast, I said, “I feel like we don’t even deserve this!” Liz commented wisely, “Maybe we do, Sherri. Maybe we do.”

Cyclists had come from all over the country for the Swiss Cheese and Spotted Cows tour. Some were experienced cyclists, accustomed to hilly terrain. Others, like Liz, hadn’t taken a trip like this before, but loved biking enough (maybe it was the promise of beer and cheese?) to go for it. This tour gave equal and perfect measures of challenge and reward. And we made it—every single one of us, all 250+ miles!

I credit our success to the many thoughtful details. We were provided excellent accommodations, meals, happy hours with cheese trays, sag support and luggage delivery, clearly marked routes and maps, local historians and entertainment. This tour was an invigorating, renewing, adventure–a memory-making, goal-reaching, friendship-fostering, challenging and rewarding ride, every mile. Join us this year –  Maybe you deserve it!

For more information and to register, go to www.scscbiketour.com.

 

No fool’n, pet memberships at Bike Fed

In a move that has given some paws, the Wisconsin Bike Fed is urging family pets to join the organization. “We are all about making improvements to our membership program to better serve our members. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new membership option: Pet Memberships,” said Betsy Popelka Massnick, the Bike Fed’s Membership Director. “We know that pets are a part of our family and many of them share a love of cycling. Why not offer them an opportunity to be acknowledged as bicycling enthusiasts and Bike Fed supporters?” “Look, we’re not just barking up the wrong tree here,” said Executive Director Dave Cieslewicz. “We’ve long offered Tandem Memberships for individuals in the same household. But why should Fido be left out?” – See more at: http://wisconsinbikefed.org

Betsy signed up her dog, Ernie, as a Bike Fed member. Look at how happy that dog is. Do the right thing. Be like Betsy.

Betsy signed up her dog, Ernie, as a Bike Fed member. Look at how happy that dog is. Do the right thing. Be like Betsy.

For just $10, your furry (or maybe not so furry) friend can have his/her own official Bike Fed Pet Membership certificate. “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there,” Cieslewicz said. “And we need all the members we can get. Whether you ride a road bike, a mountain bike, a racing bike, you’re a commuter or you ride in the Burley with your squeaky toy, we’re there to make biking safer and more fun for you.” Encourage your pet to join the bike mewvement today! – See more at: http://wisconsinbikefed.org

“We know that pets are a part of our family and many of them share a love of cycling. Why not offer them an opportunity to be acknowledged as bicycling enthusiasts and Bike Fed supporters?”

While the Bike Fed is using this opportunity to celebrate April Fool’s Day, this is a real opportunity to kick in another ten bucks to the cause of better biking in Wisconsin… and your pet really will get a certificate in the mail. And, as genuine contributions to our 501(c)3 organization, Pet Memberships are 100% tax deductible. No joke. – See more at: http://wisconsinbikefed.org

Bike Pic Dec. 15, pump track fun!

Here is a happy mountain biker perfecting her skills on the local pump track in La Crosse, Wisconsin where many bike opportunities exist here.

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

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and present more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to 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 with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where our camera’s will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? 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 at least 620 pixels wide for us to use them. If we 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 Bike/Hike Guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated – At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for in the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile devices where you may see some additional bike pics – maybe of yourself 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!

#FindYourNextAdventure

Bike Pic – Nov 4, pump track fun

Visitors to La Crosse, WI. will find several cycling opportunities, like the pump track here that can help improve a ones skills. Located next to the city’s mountain bike trail head check out their website to find all the other biking activities in the area including: BMX, city trail riding, paved and gravel road touring and more.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB), hope you enjoyed the photo.

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and present more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to 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 with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where our camera’s will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? 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 at least 620 pixels wide for us to use them. If we 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 Bike/Hike Guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated – At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for in the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile devices where you may see some additional bike pics – maybe of yourself 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 Nov 2, multimodal transportation

These cyclists biking around Lake Pepin, on parts of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), choose  to use another form of transportation to cross the river on the Tour De Pepin ride.

We normally associate bicycling and multimodal transport (also known as combined transport) as cyclists commuting or touring with at least two different types of transportation, normally with a second mode using an airplane, automobile, bus or train. In the photo above cyclists use a paddleboat showing another form of multimodal transportation. Picture from the Tour De Pepin Facebook page.

Thanks for viewing the Bike Pic of the Day here at HaveFunBiking (HFB), hope you enjoyed the photo.

Now, rolling into our 10th year as a bicycle media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike, while showcasing unforgettable places to ride. As we search and present more fun photos worth a grin, scroll through the information and stories we have posted to help you find your next adventure. Then, while out there 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 with your bike, be prepared to smile. You never know where our camera’s will be and what we will post next!

Do you have a fun photo of yourself or someone you know that you would like to see us publish? 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 at least 620 pixels wide for us to use them. If we 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 Bike/Hike Guide to find your next adventure. We are proud of the updated – At-a-Glance information and maps we are known for in the HFB Destination section on our website and in the guide. Now, as the Bike/Hike Guide goes into its seventh year of production, we are adding a whole new dimension of bicycle tourism information available for mobile devices where you may see some additional bike pics – maybe of yourself.

 Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure – we may capture you in a pic we post!