by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com
If you haven’t finalized plans for your fall bike rides, consider one or both of these annual Minnesota rides. First is the Saint Paul Bicycle Classic on Sunday, Sept 11th. Then the Mankato River Ramble on Sunday, Oct 9th. Both day-of bike touring events benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN), offering several route options to fit your style of riding at each.
A Minnesota doubleheader of fall bike rides
First, the Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour
In the Twin Cities, thousands of people will enjoy traffic-free cycling on the scenic parkways of Saint Paul. It’s the 28th annual Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour. The biking event is Sunday, September 8th, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ride participants can choose from bike routes of 15, 30, or 45 miles.
Organizers report the rest stops along each route will provide panoramic views, live music, delicious baked goods, tasty beverages, and fresh organic fruit. The Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour is presented by AARP. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, a nonprofit focused on state-wide bicycle advocacy and education. To learn more or to register, click here.
The Mankato River Ramble
The perfect one-tank getaway for an overnight stay or daycation. The Mankato River Ramble showcases some of the most beautiful areas of the state at the most beautiful time of year! This year’s ride on October 9, 2022, offers a 12, 24, and 42-mile route with plenty of rest stops with tasty treats. To learn more or to register, click here.
About the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN)
BikeMN is working to make Minnesota a state where bicycling is a safe, easy, fun, and cool choice for everyone. The mission of BikeMN is to provide leadership and a unified voice for bicycle education, advocacy, and efforts to make Minnesota more bicycle-friendly so that more people will ride bicycles more often. More at www.bikemn.org.
About Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates (GMBWA)
GMBWA encourages individuals and families to walk and bike as part of a healthy lifestyle. Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates work with city, county, and state governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations to improve the community’s infrastructure and opportunities for walking and biking. The ride began in 2011, and thousands of dollars of profits from the Ramble have gone into signs, outdoor kiosks, mountain bike trail construction, and other improvements in the Mankato area.
See more of what the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota is up to
Check out their BLOG of workshops, classes, and other fun events the money raised at these bike rides supports. For their BikeMN mission statement, check Here.