- Max Trip Size: 10 people
It is still a little difficult to travel and nearby Canada remains closed so here is a local Twin Cities tour that could work as a chance to try out bicycle touring for the first time or to serve as as an incentive for the more experienced to locate all that gear that was packed away a year ago. I am hoping that both types of riders will join me so that we can share technique and help each other.
We would bike from the cities to William O’Brien State Park mainly along the Gateway trail, then to Afton State Park along local roads and the St. Croix trail, and then finally back along local roads and trails. We will camp at a group site at each park. It would be about 35 miles per day with stops for lunch and ice cream. So expect mainly bike trails, some roads with light traffic, and a few good hills. A draft route is shown at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36095229.
If you are interested please send me an email at [email protected]. You would need to be comfortable riding on some roads with light traffic. Since there are so many gear and bicycle options it is difficult to offer equipment guidelines. Mainly, your bike needs to be able to safely carry you, your camping gear, bike gear, clothes, some food, and water. You probably want 28 mm tires or wider. There a number of panniers in the Rover equipment locker, but you will need to determine whether they will work for your bike. I’ll have a mandatory pre-ride ride where we can shakedown each other’s setup.
I am submitting this one month in advance of the tour date. It is a weekday to minimize traffic and to make it easier to get camping reservations. If you would like to join but need more advance notice, please let me know.
Cost: Shared camp sites and food.