If you have ridden your bike on the Root River Trail and wondered what it would be like to tour the scenic roads there, join the Root River Trail Towns as they host the Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour. This three-day bike ride, July 8-10, 2016, will allow you to experience a fun filled weekend full of memories while riding with many new friends. Check out the details and register today!
With only 150-spots available, the tour leaves Whalan, Friday morning stopping first in Lanesboro. Then its on some quite county paved roads that showcase the Bluff Country, at its best. Along the way see eagles and hawks soar above as you pedal along the contoured farmlands along the way. At your first stop you’ll visit Fountain and then its on to Preston for lunch. After exploring the National Trout Center, the bike tour then circles to the west, passing by ‘sink holes’ that feed area springs, on route to Harmony. After arriving, learn about the Amish culture and take a tour of the Niagara Cave’s before an evening of fun and music.
On Saturday, after a hearty Bluff Country breakfast the tour turns east through the Amish countryside on the “Buggy Byway.” Along this section of the route you will see draft horses used to work the fields while many farmsteads along the way offer fresh baked goods, honey, produce and crafts. For lunch today the tour visits a Norwegian community known for its locally produces cane sugar soda pop and Scandinavian art figures – that you will want to take a selfie or two with. The afternoon route then circles to the north through another beautiful valley and coasts down into Houston. Highlights here include visiting the Owl Center, selfies with all the local bike art, followed by dinner, music and fun in the evening.
After another Bluff Country breakfast, Sunday morning, the tour heads north and rides the ridge west on the Root River’s north faced bluff -to Rushford. Highlights for your visit here will include visiting the historic Rushford Depot & Village Museum, sampling some locally produced lefse and having a selfie of yourself – as Ole or Lena. On the road again to the last Trail Town on the tour, you will enjoy a long meandering three-plus mile cruise without a pedal stroke, down into Peterson. Here, along with the interesting Norwegian museum, sample some of the best deserts available along the Root River Trail.
With both camping and lodging options available on this supported ride hosted by the Root River Trail Towns, see more information and registration here to guarantee your slot on one of the 150 spots available on the Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.