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I’m going to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years of traveling. Some examples include: rolling clothes, how many pairs of underwear to bring, a two in one toothbrush/toothpaste holder, WhatsApp, etc.
This is an open presentation so I encourage people to share their own tips and tricks as well.
Facilitated by Darcy Amnuel
Just say no to grease tattoos, squeaky chains or chains that fall off and get stuck. Keeping a clean and well-maintained drivetrain makes your rides more enjoyable and keeps your bike out of the repair shop. Learn how to clean and lube your drivetrain along with adjusting the front and rear derailleurs.
Presented by Chris Fothergill
Did you know that there exist approximately 75,000 edible plant species in the world? But that only 30 species produce 95% of the food we eat? This means that more than 99% of edible plant species are drastically underutilized. And a surprising number of these species live right in your own backyard— even in urban environments!
Join Maria Wesserle of Four Season Foraging to learn some foraging basics and discover common wild edible plants.
Four Season Foraging is a Minneapolis-based business that connects people with the resources necessary to start harvesting and preparing wild foods and medicines. This is accomplished by promoting trustworthy sources, writing informative blog posts, and offering classes and workshops.
Yoga is a great way to take a break and get energized for the next leg of a long hike, bike ride or paddle. It can be done in the outdoors without any equipment – a mat is truly optional. You probably know that yoga increases balance, flexibility, and strength, but did you also know it protects the spine, cartilage and joints so we can continue to pursue an active lifestyle?
Bring a mat or blanket if you don’t want grass or dirt on your clothes and Tammy N. (5 year Rover member) will lead us in some yoga poses and stretches.
Explore the basics of ebikes from someone who has almost 10,000 family and commuting miles on a cargo ebike. Whether you are commuting, doing group rides, or pleasure rides we can discuss how an ebike may benefit you. We will talk about the different motor styles such as mid drive and hub drive. We can explain the pluses and minuses of each system. I will spend a few minutes talking about motor wattage and battery capacity. More importantly I will discuss how these numbers relate to the riding experience. This will not be too techy…No experience necessary.
Presented by Dave, owner of Bicycle Chain bike shop in Roseville.
Participate in our 2019 Backcountry Cook-off and help other outdoor enthusiasts expand their backcountry cooking repertoire! Show off your “old reliable” or try an interesting new recipe before you take it out on the trail. Here are the guidelines: It’s Day Four of a wilderness backpacking trip. Ingredients and recipes should be appropriate for the backcountry. Recipes should take 20 minutes or fewer to prepare and require only a single-burner stove. We’ll need lots of delicious entries, so we hope you’ll consider entering! Tasters— bring your plates/bowls and utensils to sample the goodies and vote for your favorite!
We need YOU to share your nummy backcountry recipes! If you plan to enter, send Stacey Grimes the following information:
Please bring everything you need (ingredients, pots/pans, etc.). Water available from the sinks in the nearby restrooms.
Cooking will begin as soon as the meeting part of our night is concluded (around 7:20). Sampling and voting should start by about 7:40.
Will YOU be the Minnesota Rovers 2019 Backcountry Cook of the Year? The winner and the winning recipe will be posted on the Minnesota Rovers web site!
A bike tour of a thousand miles can begin with the first weekend trip. That trip can be low-cost and local, using a bike and gear you already have. This presentation will show how to use that gear for a weekend bike tour that starts near your home. Some gear you probably don’t have is panniers, which are like saddlebags for a bike. Panniers for 1,000-mile trips can cost $100s of dollars, but this presentation will also show a low-cost option. That option is kitty litter pail panniers. They cost $10-20 each and have been used on bike tours going 1,000s of miles. Anyone interested is welcome to join weekend bike tours near the Twin Cities, this summer. They will be posted on the Rovers Website and led by Steven Malikowski, who has cycled for over 6,000 miles on bike tours. Any Rover joining those weekend bike tours can use gear for free from the Rover’s Gear Locker.
Big City Mountaineers is a national non-profit organization that facilitates week long wilderness trips for underserved young people. Here in Minnesota that means trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We use these trips to both introduce teens to the outdoors as well as develop critical life skill like teamwork, leadership, resiliency, and self-efficacy.
Michelle H. & Vicki S., Big City Mountaineers instructors, will talk about how Big City Mountaineers works to ensure that first time wilderness trips are positive and impactful and how individuals in the community can help support or work.
WE WILL BE HAVING THE MEETING AT OL’ MEXICO BECAUSE OF THE STORMS MOVING IN.
In this presentation you’ll learn how to change a flat tire, patch a flat, and some basic bike maintenance. You’ll feel confident out on the trails! Bring your bike wheel to practice with.
Presented by Alicia Vin Zant, Mom & Owner of Seven Spokes Bike Shop
Learn how to identify buckthorn, the various ways to get rid of it and the best time to do it. Also learn what other invasive species are associated in areas where buckthorn is established and how to eradicate those too. And, as with anything important in life, learn why we should bother getting this out of our parks and our yards and how not to accidentally get rid of a look-a-like instead of the real bad guy!
Presented by Cheryl B.
Is there something that you would never go backpacking without? Is there a back story about how you learned the hard way not to forget that item? Here is one example I can think of: you brought one lighter to light your stove and fire, it got wet and then it wouldn’t work. On future trips you bring multiple lighters and matches. Come to share your hack or come to learn from the experience/mistakes of others.
Quality used gear from people who know their stuff.
* Got Gear? Spring cleaning? Unused gear cluttering your house? Sell it at the Swap!
* Need Gear? Trying a new sport? Looking for advice? Find it at the Swap!
Set-up starts at 6:30 p.m. in Como Park in St. Paul (first outdoor meeting of the season). Open to the public, feel free to bring friends and family.
Curious about the Minnesota Rovers? The Intro Show is just for you! Watch our slide show of Minnesota Rovers members on various scenic trips—all set to music. Talk to our representatives about hiking, backpacking, canoeing, biking, rock climbing, and more. Come find out more about Minnesota Rovers and see what we’re all about!
This will be at the REI in Bloomington at 750 W. American Blvd., Bloomington, MN, 55420.
The Camino de Santiago has been drawing pilgrims for over 1200 years, and pilgrim numbers are growing by 10-20% a year. (Over 300,000 “official finishers” in 2018.) I had the opportunity to walk the “French Way” in the fall of 2018. A bit of the history of the Camino will be reviewed, along with the how and the why of the walk.
Presented by Tim Potter
Come see all the work that has been accomplished so far! All the initial buckthorn on the lot has been removed! Lots of invasive work has been done and is beginning to be under control. Many natives have naturally come up on their own now. See the future goals and challenges and see where we are going on 2019!
Presented by Cheryl Batson
Over the New Year, four Rovers traveled to Costa Rica. We benefitted from one member’s fluency in Spanish. And with her contacts, we visited with one CR family, home-stayed with another farm family, and visited several small businesses. Costa Rica is a land of many climactic zones, each with a varied wildlife and adventures. Our trip took us from the Guanacaste area to a Pacific coastal town on the Osa peninsula, to the highlands of St. Elena and Monteverde.
Presented by Bruce Clark and Lisa H.
Doug Johnson will share accounts of his travels to the Luzon in the Philippines that include walks in Intramuros in Manila, hikes to the hanging coffins in Sagada, and visiting the World Heritage Site Rice Terraces in Banaue. An amazing country, the Philippines should be on everyone’s bucket list of places to explore.
Gently rolling hills, quaint villages, and picturesque cottages and farms. This is how many people envision England, and the Cotswold Way is quintessential England. I walked this 102 mile path in seven days during summer 2018 solo, not just because I love the Cotswolds, but I wanted to see if I could go the distance and navigate on my own. (And, I couldn’t find anyone to go with me.) I am looking forward to sharing my adventure with you!
Presented by Heidi H.
Description: Which climatic changes are and are not currently affecting Minnesota? What changes do we expect in the years and decades ahead? Where do we have gaps in our knowledge that preclude definitive statements? This presentation will answer these questions by focusing on the foundational data and research available to climate scientists.
Presented by Kenny Blumenfeld, Ph.D.
Ever wanted to see color-changing flamboyant cuttlefish, bioluminescent flaming scallops, or nudibranchs galore? You’ll see video footage that makes you feel like you’re underwater right along with them – so get a front row seat! Rover Andrea recounts her 2018 trip with her family’s scuba club to Mindoro Island, Philippines, to dive in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.