By Madilynn Garcia 2021-03-17 17:27:22
I’ve been bike touring for a little over two years now. I love taking the opportunity to explore Minnesota on my bike, soaking in all that the state has to offer. For my latest trip, I rode the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) from my home in the Twin Cities nearly 200 miles to the state’s southern border. I am lucky enough to enjoy the Twin Cities section of the MRT all the time, but its winding route through both downtowns never fails to impress. Once I made it through downtown St. Paul, I slowed down to enjoy the sight of the Mississippi River as it begins to widen. The ride to Hastings—my destination for day one—took about four hours. I prefer a shorter first day; it means I’m not under a huge time crunch to leave town. While exploring Hastings, I stumbled across Vermillion Falls, a stunning waterfall right in the middle of town. I’d tell you to keep an eye out, but it’s almost impossible to miss! After a picnic lunch at Levee Park along the Mississippi, I hopped back on my bike and headed to St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park to set up my campsite and relax with a book. I spent the first couple hours of day two riding the 25 miles from Hastings to Red Wing. After browsing the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum until I got hungry, I wandered around downtown until the heavenly smell of Hanisch Bakery enticed me inside for lunch and probably the best donut I’ve ever had. After my meal, I biked the 14 miles to Frontenac State Park and set up camp. After two relatively easy days of riding, I geared up for the lengthiest portion of the trip: Frontenac State Park to Winona. Even though this was my longest day of riding—55 miles— I immediately felt refreshed when I rolled into Winona late in the afternoon. I can confidently say this is the most charming town I’ve ever biked to. It has adorable cafes, self-guided tours of the historic downtown and, of course, the Mississippi River, which is absolutely stunning at this point. There are multiple campsites nearby, but I couldn’t resist staying in a cute B&B with a view of the river. After a restful night, I took my time getting breakfast downtown before starting on the last (and hilliest) leg of my journey: the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway. Spinning my way to the top of each hill, I was rewarded with incredible fall views of the Mississippi River Valley—a solid trade in my book. This was my longest solo bike trip ever, and an accomplishment I didn’t know I was capable of just a few years ago. It was amazing to see how North America’s most famous river transforms throughout the state. Maybe next year I’ll ride the entire Minnesota portion of the MRT— starting at the Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park! "IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW NORTH AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS RIVER TRANSFORMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE." WINTER FAT BIKING If you’re looking for a fun new way to embrace the Minnesota winter, riding a fat bike will put a smile on your face that’s even bigger than your tires. Most mountain bike trails in Minnesota are groomed for winter, and wide tires will make you feel ready to ride through anything. Notable winter fat biking trail destinations in Minnesota include Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Central Minnesota, Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis and the more than 45 miles of groomed trails in Duluth. MORE BIKE TRAILS Gear up for adventure on Minnesota’s extensive paved and off-road bike trails! ExploreMinnesota.com/Biking
©Explore Minnesota. View All Articles.