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BLUFF COUNTRY BACKROADS July 20, 21, 22
Many cyclists make the journey to Lanesboro to bike along the Root River trail system. Unknown to many of these riders is a vast network of scenic back roads that traverse the hills and valleys of southeastern Minnesota. The character of these roads is nothing at all like the trail system, as there are many challenging climbs and thrilling descents. Riders should expect all of these routes to be hilly and comparable to western Wisconsin routes. During this 3 day trip you can sample some of these byways. Each ride will begin at Sylvan Park, which is located on the main street in Lanesboro. The park is located just south of the downtown area on Parkway Avenue.
The Rides:
Friday's ride: at 1PM we will warm up with a 38 mile ride that heads south. The first half of the ride to Harmony will be on quiet back roads with some moderate hills. We?ll head through the heart of Amish country where you will witness their non-motorized form of transportation. The second leg of the journey will use the Harmony-Preston trail for 11 miles. This is not a railroad trail so it has some good hills and curves. From Preston we?ll climb another hill enroute back to Lanesboro.
Saturday's ride leaves at 10AM and includes several 1-2 mile climbs out of the Root River valley. Much of the rest of the terrain is either up or down as there are few if any level stretches. Bring lots of fluids, especially if it?s a hot day as the rest stop is about 34 miles into the ride. The route will head east to Houston for the midday lunch stop. A great German restaurant is the local highlight, with other options also available in town. Total distance will be about 70 miles. There are options to shorten this distance to take out some of the larger hills, or you can get onto the trail system for an easier return to Lanesboro if you choose.
Sunday's ride leaves at 10AM. Today we will head southwest and pass through the Mystery Cave and Forestville State Park area. A few good climbs with some large roller coaster hills will characterize this route. This will again be a challenging ride as the terrain is either up or down. There will be a rest stop in Wykof at mile 36. There is an option to drop into Forestville State Park for an additional 6 mile loop before the rest stop. The full ride will be around 58 miles (64 going into the State Park), with some shorter options possible. The last 11 miles of the route will use the Root River Trail from Fountain, which is mostly downhill.
Accommodations: Lanesboro tends to fill up easily during the summer because of the popularity of the trail. If you cannot find lodging in town, there are other communities such as Preston or Whalen, which are each within 10 miles. Even Rochester is only a half hour or so away. Check out these links for lodging possibilities: http://www.rootrivertrail.org/getservice.php?c=Lanesboro&s=Lodging or http://www.lanesboro.com/
Food: You will be on your own for most of your meals. Lanesboro offers numerous restaurants and cafes. We haven?t made any dining plans for the group with the exception of a pot-luck picnic Saturday evening. There are a number of shelters and grills in the park ? so bring something to grill, a dish to share and a blanket or chair to rest your weary body on! We?ll meet in the park around 6:30 PM on Saturday. We?ll provide charcoal, paper goods, condiments, and some beverages.
Entertainment: The Commonweal Theater Company just moved into a brand new space in Lanesboro on July 7. This is an equity theater with a really good reputation. You can make reservations at (800) 657-7025 or (507) 467-2525. Tickets are $25.
Playing at the Commonweal is:
The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam Friday ? 8:00 Amid a whirlwind of wig, costume, and personality changes, two actors play the inhabitants of Mandacrest Mansion - maids, mummies, werewolves and all. This hilarious spoof of gothic tales, mixing vaudeville, farce, melodrama and theatrical sleight-of-hand, will tickle audiences of all ages.
Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott Saturday 8:00 Recently blinded in an accident, Suzy doesn't know that her seemingly ordinary doll has been made a target of three con men who underestimate her resourcefulness. Help us break in our brand new theatre with one of the great thrillers of the American stage and screen.
If you have questions about the ride, you can email us at paseleen@hotmail.com or give us a call at 651-552-9131. We hope to see many of you in Lanesboro!
Jeff Johnson and Patt Seleen