Minnesota’s top ten bike rides to start your summer of fun

With so many bike rides to choose from here are some of Minnesota’s best recreational and touring rides to check out for fun in April, May, June and July, of 2016.

Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride – Sunday, April 24th

Celebrating its 50th year as Minnesota biking tradition this organized recreational  ride tours the scenic St. Croix River Valley, near Stillwater and is a great way to get out and experience riding with others – Plus, bragging rights are guaranteed for the rest of the summer.

See more at: MN Ironman Bike Ride

Riders on the 49th Annual Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride.

Riders on the 49th Annual Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride.

Bike MS: Twin Cities Ride – Saturday, May 7th

Bike MS: Twin Cities Ride presented by The Toro Company is a must-do for any Twin Cities cyclist. A charity ride more than 1,000 riders choose their own challenge — biking 12, 22, 40 or 50 miles through St. Paul and Minneapolis for one cause: a world free of MS.

See more at:  Bike MS: Twin Cities Ride

ALS Bike Trek – Saturday, April 21

The ALS Bike Trek Minnesota is a charity ride created by ALS TDI to raise awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig Disease) and funding toward an effective treatment. The seventh annual ALS Trek enjoys the scenery along the St Croix River Valley.

See more at: Als Bike Trek

Twin Cities Tour de Cure – Saturday, June 4th

Each year the Twin Cities Tour de Cure celebrate everyone who lives with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as their heroes on the day of this annual event. If you, a family member or friend have diabetes, join the American Diabetes Association members as they tour the bicycle routes, starting at Minnehaha Falls, in Minneapolis.

See more at: Tour de Cure

These Twin City Tour d' Cure bike participate pause at the end of last years ride for a photo opp. by Coppersmith Photographers

These Twin City Tour d’ Cure bike participate pause at the end of last years ride for a photo opp. by Coppersmith Photographers

Tour of Minnesota – June 17-24th

The Tour of Minnesota, formerly known as the Jaunt with Jim Klobuchar ride, is a multi-day bike tour exploring  communities throughout the state. In its 42nd year, this year’s tour trip will visit Brainerd, Walker, Park Rapids, Itasca State Park, Bemidji and Pine River in Northern Minnesota.

See more at: Tour of Minnesota

HBC Tour D‘Amico – Monday, July 4th

Celebrate the day riding the Tour D’Amico, a ride that tours the west suburbs of the Twin Cities. Choose from three routes, a 29, 45, or 62.2 miles option that includes hydration breaks along the way and a D’Amico & Sons Italian buffet lunch at the end, in Golden Valley.

Enjoying a D' Amico and Son's Italian picnic after the ride.

Enjoying a D’ Amico and Son’s Italian picnic after the bike ride.

See more at: Tour D’ Amico

TCBC Watermelon Ride – July 4th

On the east side of the Twin Cities celebrate the day riding the Watermelon Ride, with a 15, 25, or 52 mile tour option. Starting in Battle Creek Park, snacks will be provided  at rest stops along the way and a picnic lunch will be served at Snail Lake Park, in St. Paul.

See more at: TCBC Watermelon Ride

Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour – July 8-10th

On this three-day tour see why many call this area “God’s Country” the hidden jewel of Minnesota’s Southeast region. Starting in Whalan explore the valleys and bluff of the area while visiting all the Root River Trail Towns: Lanesboro, Fountain, Preston, Harmony, Houston, Rushford and Peterson before returning back to Whalan.

See more at: Root River Bluff & Valley Bike Ride

Here a family of cyclists enjoy exploring the scenic roads, by bike, that circle and cross the Root River Trail, in Southeast Minnesota's Bluff Country.

Here a family of cyclists enjoy exploring the scenic roads, that circle and cross the Root River Trail, in Bluff Country.

Bike MS: TRAM – July 20-24th

Bike MS: TRAM Ride 2016 (The Ride Across Minnesota) is Minnesota’s greatest cycling vacation. Nearly 1,000 riders will travel through the picturesque scenery and rich history of central Minnesota, starting in St. Joseph with overnight stops in Sauk Centre, Fergus Falls, Wadena and Little Falls. There is a 3-day route option also.

See more at: Bike MS: TRAM

Riders enjoy getting together each year on the M.S TRAM

Riders enjoy getting together each year on the M.S TRAM

Red Ribbon Ride – July 21-24th

Red Ribbon Ride is a fully supported 4 day ride, starting at the Mall of America, to raise vital funds for HIV/AIDS services, treatment, prevention and awareness, benefiting service for: African American AIDS Task Force, Clare Housing, Hope House of St. Croix Valley, MN AIDS Project, One Heartland, Park House, Rural AIDS Action Network and The Aliveness Project.

See more at: Red Ribbon Ride

Here a bike rider on a Red Ribbon Bike Ride, in the Twin Cities, is flanked by angels on cycles.

Here a bike rider on a Red Ribbon Bike Ride, in the Twin Cities, is flanked by angels on cycles.

See more events and friendly places to ride in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

4 thoughts on “Minnesota’s top ten bike rides to start your summer of fun

    1. Russ Lowthian Post author

      Bill,

      I am sorry too!

      Nobody from Tour of Lakes, posted the ride on the HaveFunBiking.com events calendar and I overlooked the ride.
      Please have someone fill out the free events submission form so I have all the info. and I will post it in my next e-MAG.

      Thanks for speaking out!

      HaveFun,

      Russ

  1. Rob Jackson

    Russ,
    You left out the Tour of Saints in July, the Saint Paul Classic in September and the Mankato River Ramble in October. Did BikeMN register these rides on your website last year?

    Thanks!

    1. Russ Lowthian Post author

      No, they didn’t and I pull ride events from our Calander Listings, which has a free submission form that they can use. Remind who – whoever to get them posted I I will include them in a future e-Mag.

      Lets’ have coffee or lunch someday it would be graet to catch up!

      Russ

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