Labor Day Weekend Bike Expedition to shine spotlight on southwestern Minnesota treasures
Rain or shine, Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge David Minge and his band of adventure-seeking bicyclists are set to converge on southwestern Minnesota over the Labor Day weekend to explore some of the region’s greatest natural and cultural treasures.
To showcase the area and the benefits of its parks and trails, Minge is leading the Third Annual Bike Minnesota with Parks & Trails ride, a three-day, 135-mile trek, through a portion of the area he represented as a 2nd District congressman.
“Southwestern Minnesota is so rich with history, culture and natural beauty that it is only fitting that we organize this three-day biking and camping expedition so our visitors can soak up the area in all of its glory,” says Minge. “More than anything this event highlights the vital contribution that our state’s parks and trails make to our health, our economy and our great Minnesota outdoor way of life.”
The Third Annual Bike Minnesota with Parks & Trails event has drawn several out-of-town participants who will be staying in local hotels or camping at Lake Shetek State Park in Currie, Minnesota. Local experts, including Former Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Jim Nichols and Former State Rep. Verne Long, will narrate the cyclist's journey with real-life stories about the communities and landmarks they are scheduled to visit along the way. On Sept. 1, the route begins in downtown Ruthton and includes stops at the Danebod Folk School in Tyler, a Lincoln County wind farm, the Pipestone National Monument and the new Pipestone Trailhead on the Casey Jones State Trail. On Sept. 2, riders will tour the historic quarry-town of Jasper, visit Split Rock Creek and Blue Mounds state parks, a Luverne-based ethanol plant and the Brandenberg Gallery and Palace Theater in downtown Luverne. On Sept. 3, riders will take the Casey Jones State Trail to the End-o-Line Railroad Park & Museum; visit a Hmong community garden, Plum Creek County Park and site of the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant and other historic Laura Ingalls Wilder sites.
One of the tour stops of particular interest to event participants is the new Pipestone Trailhead on the Casey Jones State Trail where four miles of new trail is now being developed between Pipestone and Lake Wilson. The new addition is highly significant to the area because it represents the trail’s first new construction since its authorization in the late 1960s. Designated as a state trail covering about 100 miles and three counties from Split Rock Creek State Park to Redwood Falls, only about 21 miles of trail right-of-way has been acquired and opened to the public for some type of use.
“In addition to the Pipestone to Lake Wilson segment that riders will visit, we are also concentrating on developing the trail between Lake Shetek State Park and Walnut Grove,” says Friends of the Casey Jones Trail Association member and Walnut Grove resident Bruce Johnson. “We take great pride in showing visitors to the area how the Casey Jones Trail is the backbone to which all regional trails will connect joining our wonderful communities to each another and to our state’s greatest natural, cultural and historical resources.”
The Third Annual Bike Minnesota with Parks & Trails event is co-sponsored by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, the Friends of the Casey Jones Trail Association, the Friends of Lake Shetek State Park and Murray County Tourism. For more information, or to obtain a complete itinerary of event stops and activities, please contact Brett Feldman at 800-944-2457 or by e-mail at bfeldman@parksandtrails.org.
