Welcome. We're your premier source for fun places to explore by bicycle or on foot. Offering guides, maps and articles on road and trail riding for the novice to seasoned cyclist - helping you find your #NextBikeAdventure
Here in this Thursday bike pic, a couple of young biker chicks test their skills on the trails in the Heart of the North Shore, near Silver Bay, MN.
What better way to start your Summer and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun 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.
Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Mountain Bike Skills’ bike pic
We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight 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 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 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 8th year of producing this hand 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 Pics of the Day.
Get up close and personal on the 19th Annual Gitchi-Gami Trail Association North Shore Bike Ride. On Saturday, August 17th, enjoy shoreline views of Lake Superior as you pedal the Gitchi-Gami Trail (GGST). Occasionally along the way passing through a state park or riding over a serenading waterfall as it cascades into the lake. This year with the usual: Snacks, T-shirts and sag support on four ride lengths, that includes a family-friendly 8-mile option.
Gitchi-Gami ride lengths
The full map of the Gitchi-Gami Trail
Starting at Gooseberry Falls State Park, the start time is 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday morning with recreational ride lengths offered at 8-miles, 28-miles, 34-miles, and 55-miles. The 55-mile ride is the only course that will use connecting roads. on the ride. All other options stay on the trail. Click HERE for a mail-in registration form!
The 8-mile family ride option
A scenic view of the trail along Lake Superior
Follows the GGST for 4 miles from Gooseberry to a rest stop at Twin Points wayside, where there will be treats and special events for families. The ride returns on the GGST to Gooseberry.
The 28-mile ride option
Entirely on the GGST, from Gooseberry through historic Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, continuing to the rest stop at the Beaver Bay Wayside, and returning on the trail. Because it is an “out-and-back” ride, bikers can turn around at any time to return to the starting point.
The 34-mile ride option
Rider on Gitchi-Gami Trail as it winds through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
55-mile ride option
Another new route this year! Follows the GGST to Beaver Bay Wayside, continues on the trail over the Beaver River Bridge and left onto the NEWEST segment of trail alongside West Road. Continues to Silver Bay where you will make a loop north beginning by turning left on Penn Avenue. Turning right on to Lax Lake Road you’ll bike to Hwy 1 and the Eckbeck rest stop, continue to Hwy 61, where you’ll head uphill at Outer Drive/Penn Avenue and pick up the Gitchi-Gami trail again near Rukavina Arena back to Beaver Bay, and then back to Gooseberry on the trail.
Registration can be completed online (through secure PayPal payment) at the link above or by mail, using the form on this page. Cost of the ride is $45. They offer a $10 discount to members if you would like to join.
Lodging opportunities and more scenic experiences to explore
Consider staying in Silver Bay, the Heart of the Northshore, on the top end of the GGST ride route, for plenty of things to do pre- and post your bike ride.
Bike Silver Bay, there is still time to make some outdoor memories with fall color season soon approaching. With your two-wheel stud, make your way into northeastern Minnesota Arrowhead region and soon you will find yourself enjoying the fall colors on the North Shore. While here you can spend all the time in the world at its various parks, like Splitrock Lighthouse or Tettegouche State Park or while enjoying the Gitchi-Gami State Trail.
Family fun riding along the Gitchi Gami Trail with Lake Superior at your side.
It has plenty of areas for the mountain bike too. to explore and has the Superior Hiking Trail runs through, so make sure you’re ready for plenty of Instagram worthy selfie opportunities. There’s even room for hiking the Superior Hiking Trail, that runs through the area. See the HaveFunBiking Silver Bay Map from the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide, for more details.
More About the Bike Silver Bay Area
Resting along the shore of the beloved Lake Superior, get a great view of the lake as you explore the area with your bike or on foot.
The chances to enjoy nature are many, but sometimes you need a break. So when it comes time to take-five indoors you’re in luck. There are plenty of shops to browse and diners to replenish the calories you’ve burned out on the trail. If you’re looking for an artistic experience, the Lake Superior Community Theater always has a production ready for your enjoyment.
Biking Opportunities in the friendly Bike Silver Bay Area
There’s nothing better than riding your bike and enjoying the fresh air with a breeze of the lake. The Silver Bay area has plenty of trails and loops ready for you. You’ll have plenty of scenic views and fun challenges mountain biking here.
In Tettegouche State Park
The northeastern tip borders Lake Superior. And if you’re looking for a scenic adventure through some of Northern Minnesota’s finest nature trails. Mountain bikers can use the 1.5-mile road that also doubles as the service road into the Tettegouche camp. Bikers can also use the 6.5 miles of ATV trails located in and outside the park.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
The fat bike trails loops in Split Rock Lighthouse State are fun.
The park trails here offer a connection to the 10 miles from the park up to Silver Bay on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. For the mountain bikers, there are also plenty of trails such as the Merrill Lodging Trail and the Day Hill Trail for bikers to enjoy. They can also use the Corundum Mine Trail and there are trails for fat bikers as well.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
About 15 miles south on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail beautiful Gooseberry Falls State Park offers several opportunities for bikers to hit the trails. Mountain bikers will have plenty of trails to travel, and many areas connect to each other providing several loop opportunities.
Gitchi Gami State Trail
Riding along Lake Superior on the Gitchi Gami Trail.
This trail starts in Two Harbors and travels all the way to Grand Marais. While parts of the trail are under construction, or yet to be started, much of it follows the coast of Lake Superior. You’ll get to travel through Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Tettegouche State Park, and more.
Mountain Biking
If you’re looking for than winding paths and hills out of your bike adventure, give these more challenging trails a try. The North Star State Trail takes you from Duluth all the way through town and up to Grand Marais. Then there’s the Moose Walk Trail that takes you along the Sawtooth Mountains. It also connects to the Red Dot Trail, which takes you on a hilly ride through countless spruce pine.
Where to stay in Silver Bay and thing to do when not biking
At the Heart of the Northshore, you will find everything you need for a couple night stay or a long vacation in northern Minnesota. Located an “incredibly scenic” hour north of Duluth, Minnesota, come and experience the great outdoors with nature activities, fun family attractions, area tours, scenic state parks, hiking and biking trails and more. Stay in luxurious accommodations at one of our resorts, cabins or hotels where you will find comfortable, affordable lodging for every budget. See the waves and observe the ships on Lake Superior, smell the forests, watch the birds and wildlife or enjoy the Superior Hiking Trail. Bike Silver Bay is an experience you will not soon forget!
