Fourth of July Bike Rides in the Twin Cities

Fourth of July is right around the corner and if you want to celebrate Independence Day in the saddle there are a few longstanding rides that have become tradition for many cyclists year after year.  Continue an old 4th of July cycling tradition or start a new one riding your bike with friends or fellow Twin Cities cyclists.

Freedom From Pants Ride X

Image credit: Garrick Yoong

Celebrate the Fourth without the constraints of pants on this tenth annual underwear ride through the streets of Minneapolis.  Meet up takes place in the vacant lot near the White Castle in NE Minneapolis at 6:00 pm.  Roll out begins at 7:00 pm.  Visit the Fourth of July Freedom From Pants Ride X event page on Facebook for more details, to join or share with friends.

Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride

The Frank Wicker Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride is a Prior Lake Fourth of July tradition going into its 29th year.  Take a 25 or 50 mile ride through the rolling hills of Scott County.  The 25 mile short course is geared more towards recreational riders and has one rest stop along the way.  The 50 mile long course is what the ride is named for and will have three rest stops.  Mechanical support and SAG provided by Michael's Cycles.  The 50 mile ride leaves Lakefront Park in Prior Lake at 8:00 am and the 25 mile ride at 9:00 am.  There will be lunch provided after the ride.  Register online through Active.com, download the ride brochure and register by mail or register on-site the day of the ride beginning at 7:15 am at Lakefront Park.

Tour D'Amico

The Hiawatha Bicycling Club will be hosting the 17th Annual Tour D'Amico with three scenic routes to choose from complete with hydration stations and rest stops at D'Amico & Sons restaurants along the way.  These full SAG supported rides include a 29 mile tour that is suitable for all riders, a 45 mile tour and a new metric century tour (62.2 miles) for intermediate and endurance riders.  Visit the Tour D'Amico About the Rides page for more information on these routes. 

Registration can be done online or by mail with a check.  Day-of registration and packet pick up starts at 8:00 am and goes until 10:00 am July 4th at the D'Amico & Sons in Golden Valley.  After the ride, participants will be treated to an Italian buffet lunch that will be served from 11:30 to 3:30.  Proceeds from the Tour D'Amico benefit Twin City bike education and trail maintenance programs.  This is a rain or shine event.

Watermelon Ride

The Twin Cities Bicycling Club will be hosting the 35th Annual Watermelon Ride with a choice of 15, 25 or 55 mile routes.  The 15 mile route is geared for beginners getting into cycling and families with children.  The 25 mile route is ideal for both the novice and experienced rider.  Full support is provided for both the 15 and 25 mile routes and the routes will be marked.  The 55 mile route is unsupported so bring the necessary items to make repairs and fix flats.  Route maps will be handed out to riders at the registration table the day of the event.  Snacks will be supplied at rest stops and a picnic lunch will be held at Snail Lake Park following the ride until 2:30 pm.

Online pre-registration deadline is June 26th, after that the price goes up $10.  Day-of registration will also be available by printing and filling out the Registration Waiver and bringing a check made payable to the Twin Cities Bicycling Club to the registration table.  Twin Cities Bicycling Club members receive a discount for registration.  Registration for the 15 & 25 mile routes is from 8:30-10:00 am and the 55 mile route is from 7:30-9:00 am.  Registration and ride start is at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview.  This is a rain or shine event.

Riot Grrravel Returns for Third Year Introducing Women to Gravel Racing

Riot Grrravel returns in 2016 on May 21st with with several distance options to introduce gravel racing/riding to women of all ages and abilities.  What started out in 2014 with 82 riders by Riot Grrravel organizer Ellie Skelton was her way of bringing more women to come to enjoy this increasingly popular style of riding in a non-intimidating fashion.   

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

"The idea for the Riotgrrravel ride came from attending several biking events where the field was predominantly male. After riding the Filthy 50 in 2013, I started thinking of ways to get women to try riding on gravel. The first Riotgrrravel was 30 miles because I wanted to make a low barrier to entry for women who may have heard about longer gravel races but were intimidated by the long distances. Having two teenage daughters, I wanted to expose them to gravel racing as well. That's really the goal: get more women & teens excited about gravel racing." - Ellie Skelton.

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

2016's race will have distance declarations of 10, 20 and 33 miles to open up the field to women of all abilities and experiences.  The 33 mile course will have more elevation changes from previous year's courses for those that want to challenge themselves with climbing in addition to distance.  While solo men are discouraged from attending, those men that are riding with and in support of wives, friends and daughters are welcome. 


This year's race will be capped at 250 riders and since registration opened a little over a week ago, the roster has reached the halfway point.  If you have never ridden gravel before or would like to challenge yourself with longer distance and/or some elevation change, Riot Grrravel is the event you need to attend.  Ellie's 17 year old daughter, Cedar is even going to be there to ride this year with a group of her friends.

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Ellie hopes to organize some info gravel sessions and possibly an in-town gravel pre-ride (weather dependant) before raceday.  Stay tuned to the Riot Grrravel Facebook page for details.  If you or your company would like to support women's gravel riding/racing, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.  Donations for swag and race prizes are also being accepted.  Please send a message to Ellie on the Riot Grrravel Facebook page if you would like lend your support. 

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Riot Grrravel will take place on Saturday, May 21st at Hope Lutheran Church in Hastings.  Roll out is 9:30am sharp for 33 miler, 9:35am for the 20 miles and 9:45am for the 10 mile riders.  This free unsupported women/family friendly event is being held rain or shine so dress accordingly and bring everything you will need to be self supportive.  The ride will be unsupported with the same, "you are responsible for you," philosophy that other free gravel races have." - Ellie Skelton
   
Registration is now open for Riot Grrravel 2016 and only takes a minute to sign up online.  Ellie would love to hear why you are riding Riot Grrravel in 2016, just visit the Riot Grrravel Facebook page and tell your story.  Updates can also be found on the Riot Grrravel Facebook Event page.

Men aren't prohibited from racing but we ask that they ride with a woman or teen- this is your chance to introduce someone to gravel racing! More girls on bikes! More women on bikes! More families on bikes! - Ellie Skelton

2016 Minnesota Gravel Events

Rural Minnesota is home to quite a few long standing gravel road races and with the growing popularity of the sport, rides to introduce those new to gravel are beginning to pop up, too.  With varying terrain, minimum maintenance roads, elevation changes, great rural scenery and unpredictable weather in the Spring and Fall, these events are sure to be fun and challenging.  Almost all of them are free, but unsupported requiring the participants to be their own repair and support crew.

This season's calendar will include all types of  gravel races and rides from around the state.  Some of these have registration cutoff dates, have a rider cap, or more information and registration details that are yet to be announced.  Below is a list of all of the gravel events in Minnesota that I'm aware of in chronological order.  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.  If you are a race or event organizer and would like your event listed here and on my 2016 Minnesota Bike Tours, Rides, Races & Events Schedule, please send me an e-mail. 

The Fort 50 Ride-April 3, 2016
The Fort Steakhouse
Fort Ripley, MN 

Ragnarök 105-April 9, 2016

Red Wing, MN
105 miles
105 rider cap
Postcard registration November 27-December 31, 2015
Facebook Page   

Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville-April 16, 2016
Harry's Cafe
Lakeville, MN
Approx. 80 miles 
100 rider cap 

Lupine Spring Classic-April 16-17, 2016
Two Harbors, MN
Approximately 120 miles
Online Registration
Facebook Event Page 

Mammoth Gravel Classic-April 16, 2016

Cyclova CX
St. Croix Falls, MN
Facebook Event Page  

Dirty Girl Skittles and M&M's Gravel Ride-April 17, 2016
House of Coates
Coates, MN 

Dickie Scramble-April 23, 2016
JJ Tailgaiters
Elgin, MN
Approximately 75 miles 
Facebook Event Page 

Riotgrrravel Women's gravel gravel riding clinic-April 24, 2016
Angry Catfish Bicycle and Coffee Bar
Minneapolis, MN 

HillBilly Gravel Grinder 2016-April 30, 2016

Houston, MN
100 miles 

Miesville FiftySix-May 1, 2016
Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
56 miles
Registration opens January 1, 2016
Facebook Page  

Alexander 380-May 13, 2016
Spring Valley, MN
380 miles
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016

Almanzo 100/Royal 162-May 14, 2016
Spring Valley, MN
162, 100 miles
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016

RiotGRRRavel-May 21, 2016
Hastings, MN
33, 20, 10 miles
Facebook Page
Facebook Event Page
Online Registration

Le Grand Du Nord-May 28, 2016
Grand Marais, MN
100, 50 miles
Online Registration
Facebook Page 

Westside Dirty Benjamin-June 11, 2016
Michael's Cycles
Chaska, MN
101 miles
Facebook Page
Registration opens February 1, 2016

SKŌGS-June 16, 2016
Granger, MN

Granger to International Falls-mileage varies 

Freedhem 76 Gravel Grinder-July 2, 2016
Freedham Store
Little Falls, MN
76 miles 

Dirty Lemming-July 30, 2016

Watertown, MN
100 miles, 100 km 

Tour De Save-July 30, 2016

Riverside Park
Northfield, MN
62, 25, 10 miles, 46 mile gravel
Online Registration 

Gritty Goose-August 20, 2016

Monticello, MN
70, 50 miles
Online Registration 

 

The Heck Epic-August 20-21, 2016Two Harbors, MN
Approx. 110 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link 
Registration (Opens March 15, 2016)

Fiddlin' Fifty Gravel Grinder-August 27, 2016
Balkan Township, MN
Approx. 50 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link  

River Valley 100-August 28, 2016
Mankato Brewery
Mankato, MN
100 mile, 100k Paved ride
100k Gravel ride
Facebook Page
Registration
200 rider cap  

Gravel Conspiracy-September 9-11, 2016
Silver Bay, MN
Registration  

Back Forty-September 10, 2016
Denmark TWP, MN
Approx. 80 miles
Facebook Page 

Inspiration 100-September 10, 2016
Garfield Elementary School
Garfield, MN
Facebook Page 

Tour of Fillmore-September 18, 2016

Lanesboro, MN
77 miles 

3rd Annual Autumn Gravel Grovel-September 25, 2016
Miesville, MN
Postcard registration opens January 1, 2016
100 rider cap 
Facebook Event Page

Heck of the North-October 1, 2016
Two Harbors, MN
105, 51 miles
Gravel Cyclist Link  
Registration (Opens April 15, 2016)

The Filthy 50-October 9, 2016
Stewartville, MN
52 miles
Online Registration opens March 20, 2016
Facebook Page  

Dirt Bag-October 16, 2016
Clearwater, MN
Mileage TBD
Facebook Page

Summer Minnesota Gravel Events

Gravel racing season traditionally has been in the Spring and Fall but with the growing popularity of "riding gravel", Summer events have seen an increase in number in recent years.  In addition to established Summer gravel events, several new ones have been popping up over the last year or two including a couple of new ones this year.

Image Credit: Dirt Bag

The Dirt Bag Gravelfest takes place on July 18th in French Lake, MN.  This free event is the second running of the Summer version of the Dirt Bag (takes place in October each year).  Two courses are planned for this year's event, an 82 mile long course and a 30 mile short course.  "All riders will start on the short course and the long course riders will continue on through the Start/Finish area to the North and West before looping back onto the short course again."  Postcard registration is now open and race day registration will also be available.  Stay up-to-date with event details by visiting the Dirt Bag website, Facebook page and Facebook Event page.

Image Credit: Jim Smith

The Dirty Lemming is a Summer gravel tradition put on by Jim Smith in Watertown, MN.  This year's running of the Lemmings will be on July 25.  Two course options include 100 km and 100 mile routes.  This is a free event limited to 100 riders, postcard registration is required and space is still available until the cap is reached.

The Gritty Goose Gravel Grinder is a new gravel event this year.  It's a free ride that takes place on gravel roads near Monticello, Maple Lake and Buffalo on August 1st.  The route will be 65 to 70 miles with almost 2,000 feet of climbing.  Online registration is now available.  "You'll have to ride it to find out why its called the Gritty Goose."

Image Credit: Tour de Save Facebook Page

The Cannon Valley Velo Club is holding its 12th annual Tour de Save on August 1st at Riverside Park in Northfield, MN.  In addition to the 10, 25 and 62 mile road routes, this will be the second year for the 100 km gravel route.  Online registration is available until noon the day before the ride.  Registration fee is $25 and a fundraising goal must be established.  Updates for the ride can be found on the Tour de Save Facebook page.

The Heck Epic is a two-day (August 22-23) bikepacking staged event that starts in Two Harbors and travels North to Ely where you will camp for the night before returning back to Two Harbors on day two.  Distance covered will be about 220 miles.  Online registration is now available until a rider cap of 100 is reached.  Entry fee is $100 and covers dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday when in Ely, camping facilities in Ely and a pint of beer at the Friday night registration meeting.  Updates for the Heck Epic can also be found on the Heck of the North Facebook page.

The River Valley 100 returns for its second year on August 30th taking cyclists through the scenic river valleys around Mankato in South-Central Minnesota.  This free event consists of both paved and gravel route options and is non-supported.  For those looking to ride gravel, a 100 km gravel ride and 100 km gravel race are available.  The gravel race will consist of 3 person teams.  Registration is required and space is limited.  There are two ways to register, online or by mail.  Deadline for gravel racing registration is August 23rd.  Updates can also be found on the River Valley 100 Facebook page.

The Cyclists of the Laurentian Divide and Giants Ridge are bringing back the Legendary Laurentian for a second year in Biwabik, MN.  This is a multi-surface "gravel' event of 50 miles that takes place on September 5th.  Registration is required and will be available on the day of the event.  The $20 entry fee includes lunch and door prizes.

"Giants Ridge is holding a gravel/mtn. bike event on Sat. Sept. 5 at 10 AM.  Back in the 80`s and 90`s we hosted a mtn. bike race and with the development of our golf course  the event went away. Cycling is back at the Ridge in a big way with the Mesabi Trail, Mesabi Tour, TRAM,  gravel, rides  and now the `Legendary Laurentian`, a 50 mile event held on our XC trails , Forest Roads, and Snowmobile trails.  This `untimed tour` should be a great challenge as well as a very inexpensive day of riding, plus you`ll get a burger and a beverage at the end, as well as door prizes.  Keep the rubber side down and we will see you in September!" - John Filander, Director of Winter Sports at Giants Ridge.

Image Credit: Joshua Stamper

The Gravel Conspiracy is an adventure ride taking place on gravel, dirt and Forest service roads along the North shore.  Dates are September 11-13.  To quote the Facebook event page this is a "Three day Gravel Adventure from the Canadian border to Duluth. Expect 200-250 miles of gravel, dirt, and doubletrack. No Sag. You can stay in 5 star lodging or you can dirtbag it in the campgrounds. No cost to participate, but the bus ride costs $40. Registration is limited to 75 participants."  Registration is required and for more information visit The Gravel Conspiracy FAQ page.

The Back Forty F**k Festival is an 80 mile gravel grinder taking place September 12th in Denmark Twp. just North of Hastings, MN.  Described as "part burning man part gravel grinder" on the website, this isn't your normal gravel ride.  It would probably be best to visit the website and read the full description of the ride and its rules of competition.  Registration is free and can be done by sending an email to the event organizer.

Image Credit: Derek Chinn

The Inspiration 100 is a 107 mile gravel race in its fourth year and starts in Garfield, MN on September 12th.  This is a free race and registration is done by postcard only during the month of July.  Registration is capped at 135 racers.  Updates can be found on the Inspiration 100 Facebook page.

These events are unsupported (except Tour de Save) so bring everything you will need to get you to the finish.

Fourth of July Bike Rides in the Twin Cities

Celebrate Independence Day in the saddle at one of these Twin Cities area events.  All of these are longstanding rides that many cyclists participate in year after year.  Continue an old 4th of July cycling tradition or start a new one riding your bike with fellow Twin Cities cyclists.

Freedom From Pants Ride IX

Image credit: Garrick Yoong

Celebrate the Fourth without the constraints of pants on this ninth annual underwear ride through the streets of Minneapolis.  Meet up takes place in the vacant lot near the White Castle in NE Minneapolis at 6:00 pm.  Roll out begins at 7:00 pm.  Visit the Fourth of July Freedom From Pants Ride IX Facebook Event page to join or share with friends.

Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride

The Frank Wicker Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride is a Prior Lake Fourth of July tradition going into its 28th year.  Take a 25 or 50 mile ride through the rolling hills of Scott County.  The 25 mile short course is geared more towards recreational riders and has one rest stop along the way.  The 50 mile long course is what the ride is named for and will have three rest stops.  Mechanical support and SAG provided by Michael's Cycles.  The 50 mile ride leaves Lakefront Park in Prior Lake at 8:00 am and the 25 mile ride at 9:00 am.  There will be lunch provided after the ride.  Register online through Active.com, download the ride brochure and register by mail or register on-site the day of the ride beginning at 7:15 am at Lakefront Park.

Tour D'Amico

The Hiawatha Bicycling Club will be hosting the 16th Annual Tour D'Amico with three scenic routes to choose from complete with hydration stations and rest stops at D'Amico & Sons restaurants along the way.  This year's routes include a 29 mile, a partially new 45 mile and an all new metric century 62 mile.  All three routes have full SAG support.  Visit the Tour D'Amico About the Rides page for more information on these routes.  Registration can be done online or by mail with a check.  Day-of registration and packet pick up starts at 8:00 am and goes until 10:30 am July 4th at the D'Amico & Sons in Golden Valley.  After the ride, participants will be treated to an Italian buffet lunch that will be served from 11:30 to 3:30.  This is a rain or shine event.

Watermelon Ride

The Twin Cities Bicycling Club will be hosting the 34th Annual Watermelon Ride with a choice of 15, 25 or 52 mile routes.  The 15 mile route is geared for beginners getting into cycling and families with children.  The 25 mile route is ideal for both the novice and experienced rider.  Full support is provided for both the 15 and 25 mile routes and the routes will be marked.  The 52 mile route is unsupported so bring the necessary items to make repairs and fix flats.  Route maps will be handed out to riders the day of the event.  Snacks will be supplied at rest stops and a picnic lunch will be held at Snail Lake Park following the ride until 2:30 pm.  Online preregistration deadline is June 26th, after that the price goes up $10.  Day-of registration will also be available by printing and filling out the Registration Waiver and bringing a check made payable to the Twin Cities Bicycling Club to the registration table.  Twin Cities Bicycling Club members receive a discount for registration.  Registration for the 15 & 25 mile routes is from 8:30-10:00 am and the 52 mile route is from 7:30-9:00 am.  Registration and ride start is at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview.  This is a rain or shine event.

Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour Returns for 21st Year

Image Credit: St. Paul Classic Bike Tour

The 21st Annual Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour takes place on Sunday, September 13th.  The tour is a great way to see St. Paul's parks and parkways mostly traffic free with many of your cycling friends and family.  Last year over 6,000 riders came out for this yearly tradition.

The ride starts at the University of St. Thomas.  Riders can choose from the 15 mile Summit Avenue Loop, the 33 mile St. Paul Grand Round and the 48 mile Grand Round + Summit Avenue Route.  Rest stops will be spaced out along the routes with food, beverage and live music.

Image Credit: St. Paul Classic Bike Tour

Online registration for the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour is now open.  Registration by mail is also available.  Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota to help Minnesota communities become more bicycle friendly.  Volunteers opportunities will be posted in June, visit the Volunteer page to learn more when posted.  Visit www.bikeclassic.org for more information and updates.

Tour of Filmore Returns For Second Year

Drew Wilson, the man behind the Dickie Scramble is bringing back the Tour of Filmore for a second year.  Last year's tour took riders on a challenging route that started and finished in Lanesboro with plenty of hills and beautiful scenery.  The route was as challenging as Almanzo with almost 5,000 feet of climbing in 66 miles.

Drew knows this area well and the route for the 2015 Tour of Filmore is bound to be an adventure with more single lane gravel, long climbs and fantastic views.  Though the route has not yet been determined, it will start and finish in Lanesboro for a distance of around 75 miles.

This fun event allows those that decide to take on the challenge to make it as competitive as they like.  "This is a ride for anyone who is interested in riding a great route and doing so for free." 
The Tour of Filmore will take place on Sunday, September 27th at 9:00 am.

 After the ride there will be a grill out in the city park.  Camping will be available Saturday night.  The Penn Cycle Support Ambulance will be on hand for rider support.  More details will be made available as the route develops.

Image Credit: Gal Alon

Registration for this free gravel event is informal and can be done with a visit to the 2015 Tour of Filmore Facebook event page by selecting "Going".  Drew asks those that register, "please do not say you will attend and then not".   Spread the word to friends and family that would like to take on the challenge of the Tour of Filmore and I will see you there this September.

Riot GRRRaveL Retuns For Second Year

Riot GRRRaveL is back for its second year with 30 and 50 mile route options.  This is a free race/ride designed to introduce women and teens to riding gravel.  Last year's debut brought out 82 riders on a sunny Saturday afternoon in June.

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Riot GRRRaveL organizer Ellie Skelton tells how this event came to be.  "The idea for the Riotgrrravel ride came from attending several biking events where the field was predominantly male. After riding the Filthy 50 in 2013, I started thinking of ways to get women to try riding on gravel. The first Riotgrrravel was 30 miles because I wanted to make a low barrier to entry for women who may have heard about longer gravel races but were intimidated by the long distances. Having two teenage daughters, I wanted to expose them to gravel racing as well. That's really the goal: get more women & teens excited about gravel racing."

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Riot GRRRaveL 2015 will take place on Saturday, June 20th rain or shine just south of Hastings and will add a new longer course option of 50 miles.  "We wanted something close to the Twin Cities.  This year we will be doing two courses- a 30 and a 50 mile loop.  The 50 will start at 8:30 and the 30 at 9am.  We definitely want to develop a scenic route with a good climb or two--but not as intense as some of the climbs on the Almanzo 100 course.  The ride will be unsupported with the same, "you are responsible for you," philosophy that other free gravel races have."

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Is this a ride or is it a race?  The answer is both.  "We are open to however someone wants to ride this!  Riotgrravel will showcase the speed of  some of the area's amazing female gravel racers and offer an opportunity for new racers to experience an entry ride at their own pace."

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Registration is now open for Riot GRRRaveL 2015 and only takes a minute to sign up online.  It is capped at 200 riders and should fill up quickly, so make sure you register early.  Ellie would love to hear why you are riding Riot GRRRaveL in 2015, just visit the Riot GRRRaveL Facebook page and tell your story and post up your pictures from last year's race.

For rider racaps and more from last year's race, visit the Riotgrrravel 2014 post on Grease Rag, Ride and Wrench.  Kate Lockhart got a lot of great photos too and they can be seen on her Flickr album.

Image Credit: Kate Lockhart

Penn Cycle & Fitness will be sponsoring this year's race and providing pre-race mechanical support.  If you or your company would like to sponsor or volunteer for Riot GRRRaveL 2015 please send a message to Ellie on the Riot GRRRaveL Facebook page.  Riot GRRRaveL is also on Instagram.

2015 Minnesota Gravel Grinders

Rural Minnesota is home to quite a few long standing gravel road races and with the growing popularity of the sport, rides to introduce those new to gravel are beginning to pop up, too.  With varying terrain, minimum maintenance roads, elevation changes, great rural scenery and unpredictable weather in the Spring and Fall, these events are sure to be fun and challenging.  Almost all of them are free, but unsupported requiring the participants to be their own repair and support crew.

This season's calendar will include all types of  gravel races and rides from around the state.  Some of these have registration cutoff dates, have a rider cap, or more information and registration details that are yet to be announced.  Below is a list of all of the gravel events in Minnesota that I'm aware of in chronological order.  I will continue to update and add events to this post as they become available.  If you are a race or event organizer and would like your event listed here and on my 2015 Minnesota Bike Tours, Rides, Races & Events Schedule, please send me an e-mail. 

Northern Exposure Ride V1-January 17, 2015

Solemn Lutheran Church

Hawley, MN

Approximately 30 miles 

Southern Exposure v1-February 21, 2015

Solem Lutheran Church
Hawley, MN
30-35 miles 

Lakeville-Milltown-Lakeville-March 28, 2015
Lakeville, MN
Approx. 80 miles 
100 rider cap 

Dirty Girl Women's Gravel Ride-April 11, 2015

Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
Approximately 50 miles 

Ragnarök 105-April 11, 2015

Red Wing, MN
105 miles
105 rider cap
Registration closed 

Mammoth Gravel Classic-April 18, 2015
Cyclova XC
St. Croix Falls, WI
100, 70, 35 miles 
Facebook Event Page 

Miesville FiftySix-April 19, 2015
Jack Ruhr Stadium
Miesville, MN
56 miles
250 rider cap
Postcard registration
Facebook Page 

Dickie Scramble-April 25, 2014
Elgin, MN
Approximately 75 miles
Registration open to day of race.
Facebook Event Page  

Penn Cycle Group Ride Tailgate Series-Gravel Ride-May 3, 2015
Caron Park
Faribault, MN
56 miles 

Alexander 380-May 15, 2015
Spring Valley, MN
380 miles
Postcard registration is now open

Almanzo 100/Royal 162-May 16, 2015
Spring Valley, MN 
162, 100 miles
Postcard registration is now open 

Driftless Dessertion 2015-June 6-7, 2015
Cyclocarbon
Rochester, MN 

Box of Frogs-June 7, 2015
Mississippi Riverfront
St. Paul, MN
60+ miles
Facebook Page 

Westside Dirty Benjamin-June 13, 2015
Chaska, MN
100 miles
Registration  

Woodticker 200-June 13, 2015
HLS Parish Center
Hawley, MN
200 miles 
Facebook Event Page  

RiotGRRRaveL-June 20, 2015
Hastings, MN
50, 30 miles 
Online Registration
200 rider cap 

Innuendo Gravel Grinder-June 21, 2015
Climax, MN
200, 100 miles 

French Lake Gravelfest-July 18, 2015
French Lake, MN
Facebook page 

Dirty Lemming-July 25, 2015
Watertown, MN
100 mile, 100 km
Postcard registration opens April 1st
100 rider cap 

Gritty Goose Gravel Grinder-August 1, 2015
Monticello, MN
65-70 miles
Online Registration   

Tour de Save-August 1, 2015
Riverside Park
Northfield, MN
62, 25, 10 miles & 100k gravel
Facebook page
Online Registration   

Fiddlin' Fifty-August 22, 2015
Balkan Township, MN
Approximately 50 miles
New Website
Facebook Page 
Event Flyer 
100 Rider Cap
Postcard registration closes July 1st 

The Heck Epic-August 22-23, 2015
Two Harbors/Ely, MN
220 miles 

Dirty Girl Adventure Gravel Ride-August 23, 2015
House of Coates
Coates, MN
30 miles 

River Valley 100-August 30, 2015
Mankato, MN
100 mile paved, 100 km paved,
100 km gravel ride, 100 km gravel race
Registration 

Legendary Laurentian-September 5, 2015
Giants Ridge
Biwabik, MN  

La Crosse Gravel Classic-September 6, 2015
La Crosse, WI
56 miles 
Online Registration


The Gravel Conspiracy-September 11-13, 2015
Duluth, MN
Route to be determined
Registration opening in March
75 rider cap 
Facebook Event page  

Back Forty F**k Festival-September 12, 2015
Denmark Twp, MN
80 miles
Registration 
Facebook Page   

Inspiration 100-September 12, 2015
Garfield, MN
100 miles
Postcard registration opens July 1st.
Facebook Page  

Tour of Filmore-September 27, 2015
Lanesboro, MN
75 miles 

Heck of the North Gravel Cycling Classic-October 3, 2015
Two Harbors, MN
110, 55 miles
Online Registration begins May 1st.
Facebook Page 

Woodchipper 100 v4-October 3, 2015
Viking Park
Hawley, MN
100 miles 
Facebook Event Page  

Goodhue Gravel Grinder-October 4, 2015
Dennison, MN
Approximately 50 miles  

The Filthy 50-October 11, 2015
Stewartville, MN
52 miles
Online Registration 

Dirt Bag-October 18, 2015
Clearwater, MN
Facebook page

Plan Your Own Twin Cities Brewery Taproom Bike Tour

The Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area is known for two things, cycling and craft beers.   With our bike infrastructure and a boom of new microbreweries, this give cyclists a great opportunity to bike to a multitude of taprooms around the Twin Cities.  So many breweries with taprooms are scattered throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul that you should be able to plan several bike tours without hitting the same ones twice, unless you are compelled to visit your favorites.  Ride with friends, in the era of social media it shouldn't be hard to put together your own group taproom bike tour.  If you prefer that someone else do the navigating, check in with Bike to Beer in Minneapolis for upcoming bike tours of local microbreweries.  To help you better plan your own brewery taproom bike tours, I have created a Twin Cities Taprooms by Bike map.

View Twin Cities Taprooms by Bike in a larger map

Open this map on your smartphone to help you reach your taproom destinations or use it to plan out a ride using your favorite cycling/mapping app or GPS software.  Use the Bicycling map layer available in Google maps to show trails, bike lanes and bicycle friendly roads to plan the most bike-friendly routes from taproom to taproom.  

Taproom hours* vary, so plan out your route in accordance with those that are open on the day of your ride.  Below is a list of the brewery taprooms on this map with hours and website links.

*Taproom hours subject to change.  Visit brewery website or call for updated taproom hours. 

945 NE Broadway St., Ste.188, Mpls
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-10 pm
Friday 2:30-Midnight
Saturday Noon-Midnight
Sunday 11:30 am-9 pm
612-217-0437

 

4571 Valley Industrial Blvd S, Shakopee

Taproom hours:

 Tuesday 3-7pm

Wednesday 3-10pm

Thursday 3-10pm

Friday 3-11pm

Saturday 12-11pm

Sunday 12-8pm

952-230-2739

2320 Capp Rd., St.Paul

Taproom hours:

Friday 4-10pm

Saturday 2-8pm

 1315 Tyler St NE, Mpls
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-11 pm
Thursday 4-11 pm
Friday 3-11 pm
Saturday Noon-11 pm
612-276-6911

 1744 Terrace Dr, Roseville
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-10 pm
Friday 2:30-11 pm
Saturday Noon-11 pm
Sunday Noon-7 pm
844-TRY-BENT

2222 4th St., White Bear Lake
Taproom hours:
Tuesday 4-10 pm
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-10 pm
Friday 3-11 pm
Saturday 1-11 pm
612-360-2986

 2014 Washington Ave. N.,Mpls
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-9 pm
Thursday 4-9 pm
Friday 4-9 pm
Saturday 1-9 pm
Sunday 1-6 pm
612-227-9635

 

1750 Thomas Ave. W., St. Paul
Taproom hours:
Thursday 4-9 pm
Friday 4-10 pm
Saturday 2-10 pm
Sunday 2-6 pm
651-444-8882

1300 2nd St. NE, Mpls
Taproom hours:
Tuesday 4-10 pm
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-10 pm
Friday 3 pm-12 am
Saturday 12 pm-12 am
612-209-2626

920 East Lake Street #123, Mpls
Taproom Hours:
Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm
Friday-Saturday 11am-12am
612-217-4668 

7929 Victoria Dr., Victoria
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-10 pm
Friday 4-10 pm
Saturday 12-10 pm
Sunday 12-6 pm
952-300-8408

421 3rd St., Excelsior
Taproom hours:
Wednesday 4-10 pm
Thursday 4-11 pm
Friday 4-11 pm
Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-6 pm
952-474-7837

2506 Central Ave NE, Mpls
Taproom hours:
Monday-Thursday 4-11pm 
Friday 4pm-12am
Saturday 12pm-12am
Sunday 12-9pm
Taproom: 612-444-3574

 

 688 Minnehaha Ave E, St. Paul

Taproom hours:

Tuesday 3:30-6:30 pm

Thursday 3:30-6:30 pm

Friday 3:30-6:30 pm

Saturday 12-6:30 pm

651-698-1945

 414 6th Ave N, Mpls

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 3-10 pm

Thursday 3-10 pm

Friday 3-11 pm
Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-6 pm

Home Twins games

612-333-3208

 7785 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 2-10 pm

Thursday 2-10 pm

Friday 2-10 pm

Saturday 2-10 pm
Sunday 12-8 pm

651-964-2160

 3036 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls

Taproom hours:

Tuesday 4-10 pm

Wednesday 4-11 pm

Thursday 4-11 pm

Friday 4 pm-12 am

Saturday 1 pm-12 am
Sunday 2-9 pm

612-315-4633

112 1st St. S., Buffalo

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 5-10pm

Thursday 5-10pm

Friday 3-10pm

Saturday 3-10pm

Sunday 2-7pm

hayespublichouse@gmail.com 

 711 NE 15th Ave., Mpls

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 3-11 pm
Thursday 3-11 pm

Friday 12-11 pm

Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-8 pm

612-843-5090

2821 E Hennepin Ave., Mpls

Taproom hours:

Monday-Thursday 3-11pm

Friday 3pm-12am

Saturday 12pm-12am

Sunday 12pm-11pm

612-722-7222  

 

1900 Tower Dr W., Stillwater

Taproom hours:

Tuesday-Thursday 5-10 pm

Friday-Saturday 12-10 pm

Sunday 12-6 pm

888-430-2337

725 Mainstreet, Hopkins

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 4-10 pm

Thursday 3-10 pm

Friday 2 pm-12 am

Saturday 12 pm-12 am
Sunday 12-7 pm
952-938-2415

248 River St. N., Delano

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 4-10pm

Thursday 4-10pm

Friday 4-11pm

Saturday 2-11pm

Sunday 2-6pm

763-333-1033

2934 Lyndale Avenue S., Mpls

Taproom hours:

Tuesday 5 pm-12 am
Wednesday 5 pm-12 am

Thursday 5 pm-12 am

Friday 2 pm-1 am

Saturday 12 pm-1 am
Sunday 12-10 pm

612-326-1999

712 Ontario Avenue West, Mpls

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 3-10 pm

 Thursday 3-10 pm

Friday 12 pm-1 am

Saturday 12 pm-1 am

612-321-8324

1500 NE Fillmore St., Mpls

Taproom hours:

Thursday 4-11 pm
Friday 4-11 pm

Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-9 pm

612-758-0105

221 2nd St. N., Delano

Taproom hours:

Thursday 4-8pm

Friday 4-10pm

Saturday 2-10pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

 4848 W 35th St., St. Louis Park

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 3-8 pm
Thursday 3-8 pm

Fridays 3-10 pm

Saturday 12-10 pm

952-955-9965

910 Montreal Cir., St. Paul

Taproom hours:

Friday 4-9 pm
Saturday 4-9 pm

651-265-7800

520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Mpls

Taproom hours:

Sunday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm
Friday-Saturday 11 am-12 am

763-535-3330

 125 E 9th St #127, St. Paul

Taproom hours:

Wednesday 4-10 pm

Thursday 4-10 pm

Friday 3-11 pm

Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-5 pm
651-330-4734

2325 Endicott Street, St. Paul

Taproom hours:

Tuesday 3-10 pm
Wednesday 3-10 pm

Thursday 3-10 pm

Friday 12-11 pm

Saturday 12-11 pm
Sunday 12-8 pm
651-340-5793

 255 W Main St, Waconia
Taproom hours:
Monday 4-9pm
 Tuesday 4-9pm
Wednesday 2-9pm
Thursday 2-9pm
Friday 2-10pm
Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 1-8pm
612-888-2739