Tag Archives: Southern MN Tour

Bike Getaway, Peterson on the Root River Trail

This week the HaveFunBiking Getaway Contest spotlights Peterson, Minn. Known for its Norwegian heritage, water sports and pie – Peterson is the ticket. Centrally located along the Root River this quaint little town is 13.5 miles east from Lanesboro and 4.8 miles west from Rushford, by way of the trail. Along with many riding opportunities, both on the paved trail and the scenic country roads that meander in and out of the bluffs, visitors will find many other activities here including birding, hiking, paddling/tubing or just hanging out along the river.

A smiling face serving ice cream at Geneva's on Main Street, in Peterson

A smiling face serving ice cream at Geneva’s on Main Street, in Peterson

This Bike Getaway highlights a prize package you can build on. It begins with a complimentary one-night stay, for two, at the Andor Wenneson Inn, Peterson, next to the Root River Trail.  Also included in this package for two:

Other fun opportunities while staying in Peterson:

  • Visit the Peterson Historic Museum and Heritage Center
  • Take a tour of the Trout Rearing Station at Peterson Fish Hatchery
  • Hike up the bluff on the North Peterson Hiking Trail.

The winner of this Peterson Getaway Package will be announced from our HaveFunBiking e-Database on Tuesday, June 2nd.  If you haven’t already subscribed, please register now for our weekly drawings and the HaveFunBiking e-Newsletter by clicking here.

About Peterson and the Root River Trail

The City of Peterson is a popular spot for active individual’s using the Root River and the paved trail system. A charming Norwegian community, the town is a two and a half hour drive from the Twin Cities, located in South Eastern Minnesota. The bike trail here follows the Root River and intersects with Peterson’s main street making it easy to find a delicious place to eat or stop to enjoy an ice cream treat. If water sports (trout fishing, tubing and paddling) or bird watching and hiking are your thing, extend your stay for more fun. With three lodging properties in Peterson, make this your vacation headquarters waking up and relaxing to the sounds of wildlife. For more information about Peterson, the Museum or your Norwegian Heritage see: www.petersonmn.org.

A Pedal MN Bike Repair Station conveniently located in Peterson

A Pedal MN Bike Repair Station conveniently located in Peterson

About the Bike Getaway Contest

If you like the bike map’s in the HaveFunBiking.com “Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide” here is your chance to win a Getaway Package to one of the bike friendly areas we showcase. Each week, starting June 2nd, we will draw an email address from our e-subscriber database. The selected winner will then be informed they have won a Bike Getaway Package to one of our bicycle friendly destinations highlighted the previous week. The last drawing will be held on September 28th, for a Fahrlander Fitwell Bike.  Just registering here to win, it’s simple and free.

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