Ride for 40

Final Total Miles: 498.54

Getting ready this week

We have been grocery shopping, making lists, and getting excited to head out on the road for 9 days of camping and travel across Minnesota! Slightly off topic, but our raspberries will be ready for picking soon! I can't wait

Cyclists preparing gear and supplies for the cross-Minnesota Ride for 40 journey

One of the more interesting things I discovered while riding my bike over this distance was that when I was forced to slow down (compared to driving), I saw the entire landscape from a completely different perspective. From the sleepy river towns, to the small northern communities, all the way to the final stop at the reservation in Grand Portage, we had the opportunity to really take in the people and the landscape at a slower pace.

Starting Point

Starting point of Ride for 40 journey in Iowa with cyclists and bikes ready for departure Group photo at the Iowa starting location before beginning the cross-state cycling adventure

Day 1: Iowa to First Campground (Sleepy Hollow Campground)

Route map showing Day 1 path from Iowa to Sleepy Hollow Campground in Minnesota

Checked in: Sleepy Hollow Campground

This neat little place is nestled in between five or six big bluffs in the river valley here. The boys are having a blast. It looks like the next few days will be HOT!

Scenic view of Sleepy Hollow Campground nestled between river valley bluffs Campsite setup at Sleepy Hollow Campground during Day 1 of Ride for 40

Midday stop @Two Beagles

To say today has been a hot one might be the understatement of the year. This started off in Iowa, where stepping out of the car on the hot blacktop road equates to a full flop sweat, when we left Iowa it was warm but the wind was at our backs. Anyway here are some photos!

Rest stop at Two Beagles during hot Day 1 of cycling journey Rural Minnesota scenery viewed from Two Beagles stop on Ride for 40 Countryside landscape during cycling break at Two Beagles rest stop Group of cyclists taking a break at Two Beagles during hot summer ride Panoramic view of Minnesota farmland from Two Beagles rest area

Day 2: Sleepy Hollow Campground to Frontenac State Park

Route map showing Day 2 path from Sleepy Hollow to Frontenac State Park

Blue Heron breakfast

Overtired boys means overtired momma. First morning camping can be rough. :p

Breakfast stop at Blue Heron restaurant during Day 2 of Ride for 40 journey

Rain in Redwing

It was like going from the frying pan into the fishbowl

Cyclists dealing with rain and wet conditions in Red Wing, Minnesota Rainy weather scene during Day 2 cycling through Red Wing area

Here and there and in between!

Here are more photos from Frontenac and finally in Hastings at the Spiral Brewery!

Scenic view near Frontenac State Park during Ride for 40 journey Mississippi River landscape view from Frontenac area Natural scenery and bluffs near Frontenac State Park campground Cyclists arriving at Spiral Brewery in Hastings after Day 2 ride Group photo of cyclists at Spiral Brewery celebrating Day 2 completion Refreshing drinks and food at Spiral Brewery after long cycling day Exterior view of Spiral Brewery in Hastings, Minnesota rest stop Historic downtown Hastings street view during Ride for 40 brewery stop

Day 3: Frontenac State Park to William O'Brian State Park

Route map showing Day 3 path from Frontenac to William O'Brian State Park

Maple Island Brewery in Hastings and into William O'Brian State Park

77 miles yesterday and through fierce rain, brutal wind, and finally an ice cold brew in Hastings by the river. My phone died when we were in Hastings but the downtown was vibrant and super fun. I would love to spend more time there.

Here are some random photos from yesterday and a few from this morning waking up and also when we were getting ready to leave William O'Brian.

Maple Island Brewery visit during Day 3 of cross-Minnesota cycling journey Group of cyclists enjoying refreshments at Maple Island Brewery in Hastings Cold beverages and recovery time at Maple Island Brewery after tough cycling day Morning wake-up at William O'Brian State Park campground on Day 3 Packing up camping gear at William O'Brian State Park for Day 3 departure Scenic St. Croix River view from William O'Brian State Park campsite Cycling route through scenic Minnesota countryside on Day 3 Group photo of cyclists on trail during Day 3 of Ride for 40 Cyclists riding through forested trail section near William O'Brian Rest stop during Day 3 cycling through eastern Minnesota wilderness Beautiful landscape view during Day 3 ride through Minnesota river valley Cyclists crossing bridge over St. Croix River during Day 3 journey Group photo at scenic overlook during Day 3 of cross-state ride Resting by the water during Day 3 cycling adventure in Minnesota

Day 4: William O'Brian State Park to Banning State Park

Route map showing Day 4 path from William O'Brian to Banning State Park

Wyoming, Northbranch and trails for days

Updating here while I have a decent data signal!

Trail view near Wyoming, Minnesota during Day 4 of Ride for 40 Scenic stop in North Branch area during Day 4 cycling journey Group photo on cycling trail during Day 4 ride through Minnesota Beautiful forest trail section during Day 4 of cross-state journey Rest stop along the trail during Day 4 cycling adventure

17 miles to Banning State Park

Dustin is doing some quick repairs due to a lost screw on his back rack. So far we've been lucky (knock on wood):
Flats: 0
Re-wrap handle bars: 1
Back rack repair: 2
Dead soldiers: many

Bike repair and maintenance on the trail during Day 4 of journey Group waiting during bike repair stop 17 miles from Banning State Park Scenic view near Banning State Park during approach on Day 4 Trail leading toward Banning State Park destination on Day 4

We made it to Banning last night

Successful arrival at Banning State Park campground at end of Day 4

The bugs nearly carried us away, though. 😂 Here are some of the final approach photos we took near Hinckley, MN and onto Banning.

Approaching Hinckley, Minnesota during final stretch of Day 4 Scenic view near Hinckley during Day 4 approach to Banning Group photo near Banning State Park after completing Day 4 Trail leading into Banning State Park area on Day 4 evening Sunset at Banning State Park campground at end of Day 4

Day 5: Banning State Park to Spirit Mountain Campgrounds in Duluth

Route map showing Day 5 path from Banning State Park to Duluth Spirit Mountain

Current position: Moose Lake Brewery

This place is a great stop if you are ever in the area.

Outside view of Moose Lake Brewery during Day 5 rest stop Inside Moose Lake Brewery with cyclists enjoying refreshments on Day 5

The remainder of day 5 and finally in Duluth!

I think we had 400' of climbing in the first 50 miles today and when we got into Duluth it was another 500' of climbing in the last 10 miles. Go figure. We took the Willard Munger state trail from Banning state park to Duluth. It was a spectacular ride. We got forced off twice for a bridge repair but quickly got back on down the road.

First view of Duluth skyline and Lake Superior after Day 5 climb Willard Munger State Trail scenic section during Day 5 ride to Duluth Group photo on Willard Munger Trail during spectacular Day 5 ride Scenic view approaching Duluth during challenging Day 5 climb Final approach into Duluth with Lake Superior views on Day 5 Duluth cityscape view from cycling route during Day 5 arrival Successful arrival in Duluth after completing challenging Day 5 Spirit Mountain Campgrounds setup after Day 5 ride to Duluth Setting up camp at Spirit Mountain after long Day 5 journey

Day 6: Rest Day in Duluth

Waking up in Duluth

"It's a bit colder down by the lake!" Today is a day of rest while we tour breweries and celebrate the holiday. More updates to come.

Morning view waking up in Duluth during Day 6 rest day Duluth waterfront and Lake Superior view during rest day exploration Group photo exploring Duluth during Day 6 rest and recovery day Duluth cityscape and harbor view during Day 6 brewery tour Lake Superior shoreline view during Day 6 rest day in Duluth Duluth harbor and shipping area during Day 6 exploration

Bent Paddle

Outside view of Bent Paddle Brewery during Day 6 Duluth brewery tour Inside Bent Paddle Brewery with cyclists during Day 6 rest day Enjoying craft beer and food at Bent Paddle during Day 6 recovery Group photo at Bent Paddle Brewery celebrating Day 6 rest in Duluth

Day 7: Spirit Mountain to Two Harbors

Route map showing Day 7 path from Duluth Spirit Mountain to Two Harbors

Leaving Duluth to Two Harbors and the North Shore!!

We found some beautiful scenic overlooks in Duluth leaving Spirit Mountain campgrounds. We met up with Neal Jahren at canal park while the lift bridge was raised to release a barge onto Lake Superior. The three of us rode up to Two Harbors today for the next leg of the ride. Now at the Two Harbors campground, overlooking the lake, jumping into the lake was equivalent to taking an ice bath, but totally worth it.

Scenic overlook leaving Duluth Spirit Mountain at start of Day 7 Duluth lift bridge raised for barge passage during Day 7 departure Cycling north along Lake Superior shore toward Two Harbors on Day 7 Lake Superior coastline view during Day 7 ride to Two Harbors Two Harbors campground overlooking Lake Superior at end of Day 7 Group photo at Two Harbors campground after completing Day 7 Relaxing at Two Harbors campground with Lake Superior views Sunset over Lake Superior from Two Harbors campground on Day 7 Evening at Two Harbors campground after successful Day 7 ride Lake Superior shoreline and rocky coast at Two Harbors Two Harbors lighthouse and harbor area during Day 7 arrival Cycling along North Shore scenic route during Day 7 journey Scenic stop near Two Harbors during Day 7 North Shore ride Group photo on trail during Day 7 ride along Lake Superior Resting by Lake Superior shoreline during Day 7 North Shore journey Two Harbors marina and boats during Day 7 evening arrival Evening activities at Two Harbors after completing Day 7

Castle Danger brewery!! Two Harbors

This place was way bigger than I could have imagined. With a huge outdoor deck and play area everyone got to relax in the afternoon sun, even the kids, after they had their share of sodas.

Outside view of Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors during Day 7 Inside Castle Danger Brewery with large outdoor deck and family area Group enjoying relaxation at Castle Danger Brewery after Day 7 ride

Day 8: Two Harbors to Lutsen

Route map showing Day 8 first section from Two Harbors toward Lutsen Route map showing Day 8 second section completing journey to Lutsen

We made some great distance on the Gitchi-Gami Trail and even cut through Gooseberry Falls. Overall it was a solid day, despite a few drivers riding us close for the miles we rode on 61.

Cycling on Gitchi-Gami Trail during Day 8 North Shore journey Gooseberry Falls State Park scenic stop during Day 8 ride Spectacular North Shore Lake Superior view during Day 8 Group photo on North Shore trail during Day 8 journey Lake Superior coastline view during Day 8 ride to Lutsen Rest stop along North Shore during Day 8 cycling adventure North Shore scenery and forest during Day 8 approach to Lutsen Approaching Lutsen area during final stretch of Day 8 Lutsen Mountains and ski area view during Day 8 arrival Successful arrival in Lutsen at end of Day 8 journey

Ride finished!!!

I plan to make at least two more updates when I get home. A. Strava/Garmin maps of our rides each day. B. Some final thoughts about the ride once I'm not so exhausted, hah. Here are some final photos from today!

Final day scenery during completion of Ride for 40 journey Group photo celebrating successful completion of cross-Minnesota ride Celebrating the completion of 498.54 mile Ride for 40 adventure Last views of Lake Superior at completion of epic cycling journey Final stretch of the cross-Minnesota Ride for 40 adventure Resting and reflecting after completing the long cross-state journey Group celebration photo after finishing Ride for 40 successfully Scenic view from end point of completed Ride for 40 journey Last group photo commemorating completion of epic cycling adventure Bikes at the finish line after completing 498.54 mile journey Final moments of the cross-Minnesota Ride for 40 adventure Sunset on the final day of completed Ride for 40 journey

Journey Reflection

After nearly 500 miles across Minnesota's diverse landscapes, from the southwestern corner to the northeastern tip at Grand Portage, we've experienced the state in a way few ever do. The combination of challenging rides, unexpected weather, and incredible camaraderie made this journey unforgettable. Thanks to everyone who supported us along the way!

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