One of my goals for 2019 is to bike more than I have done in previous years. I've stocked up on the necessary gear and apparel for the upcoming warm weather riding season as well as those chilly shoulder season before and after winter (got the winter thing covered).
Social media has been an inspiration for me to explore different cycling disciplines, ride places I've never been and learn new things. Over the past few years I've put together several Facebook groups to help cyclists of all levels connect with others that share their interests. In this article I will introduce them to you so that you may also #bikemorein2019.
MN Fatbike Enthusiasts is a group for anyone that finds joy in riding fatbikes anytime and anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or you've been rolling fat a long time, this group will teach you something and let you share what you know with others. MN Fatbike Enthusiasts is a public* group with over 750 members.
Group created: October 1, 2015
Description
This public group is a resource for anyone that enjoys riding fat no matter what the season. You don't have to be from Minnesota to be in the group, but keep the discussion related to fatbike riding in Minnesota in regards to events, trails, trail conditions and news. This group is a place to share your ride photos, fatbike leans, bring fatbike events (in MN) to the group's attention, discuss equipment, bikes or fatbike Q&A. Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides) is for. Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that.
Gravel is big in Minnesota and we have thousands of miles of it to explore. MN Gravel Enthusiasts helps bring together cyclists that share a love of taking the road less traveled. With over 1,700 members ranging from newbies to seasoned veterans, this public* group is the place to talk Minnesota gravel.
Group created: January 9, 2015
Description
This public group is a resource for anyone looking to ride gravel, share gravel routes, post group rides or events (races, rides, etc.), discuss equipment or gravel Q&A. This is a Minnesota specific group, so please keep posts Minnesota gravel related. If sharing gravel road routes, please use the following formats:
GPX files, TCX files, Strava, Mapmyride, RideWithGPS, Runtastic, Garmin Connect, Endomondo or Gravelmap.com links.
Got a fatbike and you're looking for others to ride with? MN Fatbike Group Rides is the group you want to join. It's a place where you can find fatbike rides all over the state or post up your own rides and meet some new friends out on the trail. MN Fatbike Group Rides is a public* group with over 1,500 members.
Group created: October 31, 2014
Description
After some content deviation from the original intent of this group, the admins and I have drawn up the MN Fatbike Group Rides code/conduct policy. The policy is as follows:
- Posts should be about a group ride you are planning or soliciting interest for.
- Be clear about the time, mileage drop/no-drop and pace of the ride.
- Attending a group ride that is not mentioned in this group? Post it.
- Please include links to more information about the group ride if available (MORC Forum, etc.)
- Please put post-ride photos/video in the comment section of that listed ride, not as a new post.
- Please refer fatbike related questions/comments to Facebook groups dedicated to that kind of discussion.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Original Group Description:
I created this group to make it easy for my fatbike friends and their friends to get together by posting their own group rides. Minnesota has a lot of fatbikers with riding schedules that may not include the weekends. This is a place where they can organize their own rides with friends and new acquaintances any day of the week. My work schedule keeps me from joining in on Saturday group rides but I'm available on Sundays and Mondays. Others of you may have other availability, that's why I created this group. Are you looking for some Tuesday afternoon ride partners at Murphy or Thursday night ride companions at Elm Creek? This group is designed to get fatbikers together for rides that fit their schedules. I miss out on so many fatbike group rides because of my work schedule that I wanted to create a Facebook group that was open to the public and would allow other members, not just those with weekends off to connect and ride together. Invite your friends and let's ride fatbikes together.
MN Group Bike Rides was created to bring Minnesota cyclists of all disciplines together for group rides whether you're a roadie, mountain biker, gravel crusher or trail rider. Join in on rides, post up your own or share that weekly shop ride you enjoy. MN Group Bike Rides is a public* group with over 1,000 members.
Group created: March 11, 2015
Description
This group is intended to bring cyclists in Minnesota together for group rides by providing a place to post them.
- Posts should be about a group ride you are planning or soliciting interest for. These can be Road, Off-Road, Gravel or MTB.
- Be clear about the time, mileage drop/no-drop and pace of the ride.
- Attending a group ride that is not mentioned in this group? Post it.
- Please include links to more information about the group ride if available (MORC Forum, etc.)
- Please put post-ride photos/video in the comment section of that listed ride, not as a new post.
- Please refer bike related questions/comments to Facebook groups dedicated to that kind of discussion.
MN Mountain Bike Enthusiasts is for all those that love mountain biking in Minnesota. Use this group as a place to discuss all things mountain biking whether it be Q&A, recommendations or just showing off pictures of your bike out on the trail. MN Mountain Bike Enthusiasts is a public* group with over 400 members.
Group created: February 26, 2016
Description
This group is a resource for anyone that enjoys mountain biking no matter what the season. You don't have to be from Minnesota to be in the group, but keep the discussion related to mountain biking in Minnesota in regards to events, trails, trail conditions and news. This group is a place to share your ride photos, MTB leans, bring MTB events (in MN) to the group's attention, discuss equipment, bikes or MTB Q&A. Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Group Bike Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNGroupBikeRides/) and MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides/) are for. Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that.
Are you thinking about riding down at the MN River Bottoms in Bloomington and Eagan but aren't sure about the condition of the trails or which areas may be under water? Check the MN River Bottoms Ride Report Facebook group for the latest ride stories, photos and recommendations from those that have been riding down there. After your own visit to the river bottoms post up and tell others about your experience. MN River Bottoms Ride Report is a public* group with over 1,300 members.
Group created: November 15, 2016
Description
This group was designed to allow members to post their ride stories for the Minnesota River Bottoms trail network in a real time, easy to use format. Post up your experiences on the MN River Bottoms Trail in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Snelling State Park and the Bloomington side of the river, as well as areas further west. Posts can include the area you rode, your story with pictures, tips and recommendations for other users of the trails.
Sport-Utility Fatbikers is a group I created this winter for fatbikers that use their bikes as sport-utility vehicles for a variety of different activities. I wanted to explore some other adventures with my fatbike other than just riding singletrack in 2019. Some of these include bikecamping/packing, fishing and hunting. A fatbike is the perfect human-powered vehicle for these tasks and this is the group to share those ideas and inspire others. Sport-Utility Fatbikers is a closed** group with over 70 members.
Group created: December 12, 2018
Description
This group is a resource for anyone that uses their fatbike for hunting, fishing, bikepacking, bikecamping, fatbike bikejoring, winter commuting or adventure riding.
Members should use this group as a forum to exchange ideas, ask questions, get answers and encourage other fatbikers to try something new and different. Share your utility fatbike ride photos, leans, discuss equipment, rigs and bike setups.
Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides) is for. Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that.
Group created: July 29, 2018
Description
This public group is a resource for Twin Cities bike commuters to share routes, tips, ask and answer questions, provide updates on trail/road conditions and to be a forum for those looking to go by bike to work instead of driving a car.
One of my favorite styles of mountain biking is to venture off the trail and find my line on various types of terrain, otherwise known as bushwhacking. When the question was posed by a couple of my friends on the MN River Bottoms Ride Report group asking why there were no fatbike bushwhacking Facebook groups, I sprang into action and created MN Fatbike Bushwhackers. I thought only myself and a small number of others enjoyed this style of riding but it turns out to be quite popular among more adventurous fatbikers looking to do some exploring. MN Fatbike Bushwhackers is closed** group with over 85 members.
Group created: January 13, 2019
Description
MN Fatbike Bushwhackers is for any fatbiker that ventures off the beaten path to explore nature where there are no trails. Whether you like to ride woods, beaches, ice or areas where you probably won't see other people, this group is for you.
Discussions about setups, gear, techniques and places of interest to ride can be shared in this group. Post up your leans, ride photos and descriptions about the cool places no one else is riding.
Group rides can be posted in this group as long as they are bushwhacking in nature. All others should be posted in their appropriate groups.
Are you interested in riding some new gravel or have a great route you want to share with other gravel enthusiasts in Minnesota? The MN Gravel Route Share Facebook group is looking for members like you. MN Gravel Route Share is a public* group with nearly 400 members.
Group created: July 29, 2018
Description
This public group is a resource for anyone looking to share or find gravel cycling routes ONLY. This is a Minnesota specific group, so please post routes that include Minnesota gravel roads. Neighboring states are ok as long as part of the route is in Minnesota.
When sharing gravel routes, please use the following formats:
GPX files, TCX files, Strava, Garmin Connect, Mapmyride, RideWithGPS, Runtastic, Endomondo or Gravelmap.com route links.
Twin Cities Mountain Bike Ride Report is a Facebook group similar to the MN River Bottoms Ride Report. Members can post up information about their rides with pictures and recommendations for singletrack trails in the Twin Cities area. Twin Cities Mountain Bike Ride Report is a public* group with over 70 members.
Group created: July 29, 2018
Description
This group was designed to allow members to post their ride stories for singletrack trails in the Twin Cities area in a real time, easy to use format. Post up your experiences from any of the trails in the metro. Posts can include the place you rode, your story with pictures, tips and recommendations for other users of the trails.
If you want to post up your ride report for the MN River Bottoms, there is a specific group for that, the MN River Bottoms Ride Report. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNRiverBottomsRideReport/
*Anyone can see the group’s name, location, member list, and posts, and the group can show up in anyone’s searches or News Feed.
**A Closed group’s name, description, and member list are not at all “closed,” but are publicly visible. Closed groups may even show up in a search publicly. Overall, they are just as open as Public groups, except for three main differences: (1) new members must ask to join or be invited by a member, rather than just adding themselves; (2) only current members can see the content of group posts; and (3) only current members can see the group in their News Feed. - Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
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