Twin Cites 4th of July Rides

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 XII

Celebrate the Fourth without the constraints of pants on this twelfth annual underwear ride through the streets of Minneapolis.  Meet up takes place underneath the Hennepin Avenue Bridge on Nicollet Island at 6:00 pm.  Roll out begins at 7:00 pm.  Visit the Freedom From Pants Ride XII Facebook event page for more details, to join or share with friends.

Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride

Image credit: Great Scott 50

The Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride is a Prior Lake Fourth of July tradition going into its 31st 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 8:30 am.  There will be lunch provided after the ride.  Register online, download the registration form to register by mail or register on-site the day of the ride beginning at 7:15 am at Lakefront Park.  Proceeds support Bike infrastructure and the local School Mountain Bike Teams.  Visit the Great Scott 50 Facebook Event Page for updates.

Tour D'Amico

The Hiawatha Bicycling Club will be hosting the 19th Annual Tour D'Amico with four 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 new 21 mile, family friendly, short route for 2018, a 29 mile tour that is suitable for all riders, a new 41 mile route and a metric century tour (62 miles) for intermediate and endurance riders.  Visit the Tour D'Amico Course Details Page for more information on these routes.

Registration can be done online or by mail with a check.  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 am to 3:30 pm.  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 37th 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 minor 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 registration will close July 3rd at 7pm.  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.  Mechanical support provided by County Cycles.  For more information, email the Event Coordinators at: watermelon@biketcbc.org.