Things You Can Do To Bike More In 2020

Do you want to make 2020 a great cycling year?  I have compiled a list of things you can do to to put on your biggest annual mileage yet.  Some of these ideas may be familiar and others new to you.  Either way, they will get you to #bikemorein2020.

Join a Facebook group rides group

One of the best ways to ride more in 2020 is to ride with others.  There are several Facebook groups that you can join to find group rides or post up your own ride to get others interested in.  For fatbikers looking to connect with others of the well-endowed tire crowd there is the MN Fatbike Group Rides.  Other disciplines like road, gravel or mountain biking group rides can be found on MN Group Bike Rides.  The south metro area of the Twin Cities in Dakota, Goodhue, and Rice counties has a lot of great riding opportunities to be had.  Join the private group South Metro Group Rides to ride with others that know this area well.  These Facebook groups make it easy to get in plenty of miles with others that share your style of riding.

Join a weekly group ride

Get in some consistent mileage by joining a weekly group ride.  These rides happen throughout the year giving you a chance to establish a riding routine on specific days of the week that will work with your schedule.  Right now there are winter fatbike rides being held just about every day of the week throughout the state.  For a complete list of them visit my post Winter '19-'20 Weekly Fatbike Group Rides.  As the weather warms this spring get ready for weekly road, gravel and mountain bike rides to start popping up.  MN Bike Trail Navigator and Facebook are great places to find these bike shop, club and cyclist organized rides to get you on a weekly ride schedule.

Make the 30 Days of Biking pledge

A great way to kick off the spring riding season is to make the 30 Days of Biking pledge to ride your bike every day in April.  Whether it's a ride around the block or a century ride, it all counts as long as you got on your bike and went for a ride.  Biking in April in Minnesota can present some challenges but these can be overcome.  To quote 30 Days of Biking, "Weather’s bad? Biking indoors counts, too, but give riding in that rainstorm or blizzard a shot. You never know how much you’ll love it! Missed a day? Just keep going! We're all in this together."  The first year I made the pledge I learned a lot about myself, my gear and my bike.  This made me a better cyclist, not to mention I got a big jump on getting in some base miles for the year.  Join people worldwide that make the pledge and share your ride experiences on social media with the hashtag #30daysofbiking.

Try a new discipline

Are you tired of the same old rides? Trying a different ride discipline will open up a whole new experience for you on two wheels.  Are you a roadie or paved trail rider that is looking for some new scenery?  Give gravel a try, the sites and sounds of the country and low traffic roads have made gravel very popular over the last few years.  For gravel discussion, Q&A, group rides and routes, join the MN Gravel Enthusiasts Facebook group to help get you started.   Take up mountain biking if you've never tried it before.  You may find you really enjoy being out in the woods and taking on the challenge of riding singletrack.  MN Mountain Bike Enthusiasts is the place to go for all things mtb.  Extend your ride season into the winter months on a fatbike.  Fatbikes can take you places you can't go with traditional bikes opening up new ride opportunities you would have never thought of.  Facebook groups with fatbike discussion include MN Fatbike Enthusiasts, MN Fatbike Bushwhackers, Fat Bikes and Fatbike Republic.

Take up bike commuting

I took up commuting to work by bike about three years ago and immediately fell in love with it.  It became my morning workout and one of the best ways I know to unwind after a stressful day at work.  I would look forward to finishing my shift just so I could ride my bike home.  2019 was the first time I surpassed the 4,000 mile mark for the year and commuting to work was more than half of those miles.  With my hectic work schedule in the foodservice industry I found bike commuting to be the best way to fit in ride time and it sure beats being stuck in traffic in an automobile.  Give bike commuting a try and if you're not sure where to start there are a lot of experienced commuters on Facebook that can answer your questions and give advice.  Visit Twin Cities/MN Bicycle Advice & Discussion or Twin Cities Bike Commuters to strike up an informative conversation.

Buy a new bike

That's what I did and I loved my new bike so much I was riding way more than usual.  I upgraded from my old road bike and got my dream bike, a Trek Checkpoint SL 6 with full Ultegra and what an amazing difference.  I would make excuses to just get out and ride.  My new bike not only inspired confidence in my riding but also was lighter, faster and an all-together better ride than I was used to on my old bike.  "You can’t buy happiness but you can buy a bike and that’s pretty close!" -Unknown.

Get apparel for all types of weather

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices.  Over the years I have ridden my bikes in every type of weather including blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, thunderstorms and the blazing heat of summer.  Riding year round presents weather challenges but they can be overcome with the right riding apparel.  I have built up my cycling wardrobe to include everything I need to ride my bikes in ANY weather and I no longer have an excuse to skip because conditions aren't ideal.  Through trial and error I have learned what clothing selections work best for the weather I will be riding in and that makes for a much more enjoyable experience in the saddle.

Join Strava

Image Credit: Strava

I joined Strava years ago because it's a great tool to track my progress and weekly/yearly mileage.  I also use it to find new places to ride by following my friends and other cyclists.  This helps me create new routes that I can load onto my gps bike computer for easy navigation.  If you don't have a gps enabled bike computer linked to Strava, use the Strava app on your phone (available for both Android and IOS) to track rides, create and follow routes and tally your mileage.  Strava is a free app with basic features and more advanced function can be unlocked by joining Strava Summit.  With Strava Summit you can pick the features you need for training, analysis and safety to reach your goals and help you bike more in 2020.

Plan out your ride calendar

Bookmark my 2020 Minnesota Bike Tours, Rides, Races & Events Schedule on MN Bike Trail Navigator for the best listing of cycling events in Minnesota on the web.  I update this post almost daily as new events are popping up all the time.  Start planning out your ride calendar now and don't miss out on events that may have rider caps, registration deadlines or were announced close to the event date.  Each listing has links to more information so you can decide if the event is right for you.  The more events you participate in the more miles you'll rack up for 2020.

Take up bikecamping/bikepacking

One thing I've always wanted to do on the bike was to go camping and bikepacking.  Last year I invested in the necessary equipment to get me started and went on my first bikecamping trip.  I really enjoyed it and plan on doing several outings in 2020.  I have multiple destinations in mind that I can travel to from my home eliminating the need for a car on these trips.  Through some trial and error test rides last summer I found out what works for me and how to fit everything on the bike that is needed for an outing.

Bikepacking/bikecamping opens up a whole new avenue of bike adventures that I wouldn't have even thought about before.  If this is something that sounds of interest to you but you're not sure where to start, visit your local bike shop and they can help you with any questions you may have and point you in the right direction for the bags and gear needed for a successful outing.  Farmstead Bike Shop in Minneapolis hosts several group bikecamping outings during the late spring and early summer that are a good place to start if you are a beginner.

Find new places to ride

Get away from the same old boring rides by riding some place new.  By doing this I have discovered some of my favorite new areas to explore.  I'm a mountain biker at heart and I wanted to seek out new challenges other than singletrack to ride my fatbike.  I enjoy bushwhacking ventures off the beaten path to explore nature where there are no trails.  Some of these spots include beaches, woods and frozen lakes/swamps.  Besides bushwhacking, new places to ride may also include gravel roads out in the country, that mountain bike trail you've never been to or a tour on one of Minnesota's many scenic rail trails.  With so many riding opportunities in our state there are limitless places to take you on your next bike adventure.  Visit my pages Twin Cities Area Map Links, Southern MN Map Links, Central MN Map Links and Northern MN Map Links to discover new places near you to ride.

Tips for 30 Days of Biking Weather in Minnesota

I took the pledge to ride my bike every day in April for the first time in 2017 and now I'm in the midst of my third year participating in 30 Days of Biking.  I've really learned a lot about riding in the wide variety of conditions that Minnesota can dish out in April.  With a little preparation biking can be much more enjoyable and comfortable during this weather transition month.  Here are some tips that you can use to help you through the remainder of 30 Days of Biking.

Keeping a close eye on the weather is key for being prepared and properly dressed for a ride.  With today's smartphone apps you can check the current conditions and forecast for your neighborhood anytime.  I've even used these apps out on rides to check the progress of an incoming storm so I can respond accordingly.  Knowing the forecast also allows me to select my ride apparel the night before which helps speed up the process of getting ready in the morning.

The weather can change quickly in April here in Minnesota so be prepared by bringing along extra cycling apparel and having a place to put it.  If it's chilly in the morning I'll wear a jacket and warmer gloves but keep a lighter change of gloves and ditch the jacket when the day warms up. Shedding some apparel is easy when you have a place to put it, that's why I roll with a frame bag.  If there's a chance of rain I'll keep my windproof/waterproof shell jacket stored in the bag.  The above photo was taken just two hours before I got caught in a complete downpour ten miles from home.  I was glad I brought that jacket along.

Don't put away your winter cycling gear quite yet.  Snow and below freezing temperatures in April are part of living in Minnesota.  I keep all of my winter apparel close at hand for those chilly morning and evening rides as well as the occasional snowstorm.

April weather can be all over the place including fog, rain and overcast days making cyclists less visible to motorists.  This is why I always ride using daytime running lights.  I will use them on daytime flash mode to be seen by motorists that aren't expecting to see cyclists on the roads this time of year.

Plan your rides around the weather.  I watch the weather closely using several apps on my phone to plan around my work schedule the best times to ride.  The above photo was a morning ride I went on just hours before a major snowstorm rolled in.  I usually like to get my rides in before work in the morning but sometimes the weather for my daily ride may be more favorable after work and make for a more enjoyable experience.

If you don't have a pair of fenders for your ride, get some.  April weather can get messy and things are going to get wet.  Fenders can keep you a lot drier and more comfortable when puddle jumping or riding in the rain and snow.  Clip-on style fenders are quick and easy to install or remove so you can put them on only when you need them.

30 Days of Biking has taught me a lot about myself, my bikes and my gear because it has me riding every single day in April which can present some challenges in the form of weather.  I've learned to overcome them by getting out there and riding on some days that I normally wouldn't.  By following the weather closely I can be my most prepared for the elements and enjoy the ride.

MN 30 Days of Biking Events

30 Days of Biking was started back in April of 2010 as pledge between friends and has grown into a worldwide movement.  To join in on 30 Days of Biking all you have to do is make the pledge to ride your bike every day in April whether it's a short roll around the block or a century ride. The distance or destination doesn't matter as long as you get on your bike and ride.  You can share your 30 Days of Biking adventures by using the hashtag #30DaysofBiking on social media.

Below is a list of 30 Days of biking events starting with a Kickoff Party at Surly Brewing and a bunch of kickoff rides on March 31st.  I will continue to add to this list as 30 DOB events become available.  Follow updates for 30 Days of Biking on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

30 Days of Biking Kickoff!-March 28, 2018
Fargo Brewing Company
Fargo, ND

30 Days of Biking: Kickoff Party-March 31, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking Duluth kick-off Ride-March 31, 2018
Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake
Duluth, MN

30 Days of Biking Kickoff Party Pre-Ride-March 31, 2018
Erik's Bike-Board-Ski
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking Kickoff Party Pre-ride Northeast Mpls-March 31, 2018
Deming Heights Park
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking: Ride to the Kick-off Party-March 31, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Kickoff Party Pre-Ride-March 31, 2018
Freewheel Bike
Minneapolis, MN

2018 Kickoff Ride & Afterparty-March 31, 2018
Minnesota State Capitol
St. Paul, MN

SPBC 30 Days of Biking Kickoff Ride!-March 31, 2018
Minnesota State Capitol
St. Paul, MN

SSR's intimidation-free slow roll to the #30DaysofBiking kickoff party!-March 31, 2018
Seven Spokes Bike Shop
St. Paul, MN

30 Days of Biking-April 1-30, 2018

Worldwide

Facebook Page

30 Days of Biking: Ice Cream Ride-April 1, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

30 Years of Biking + 30 Days of Biking-April 1, 2018
Maple Grove Cycling
Maple Grove, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 3, 2018
Lake Monster Brewing
St. Paul, MN

30 Days of Biking: Thursday Ride Series-April 5, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

In which we ride bikes and eat pastries-April 7, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
4-6 miles

30 Days of Biking: Movie Night-April 8, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking: Taco Tuesday-April 10, 2018
Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking: Thursday Ride Series-April 12, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 14, 2018
56 Brewing
Minneapolis, MN

In which we ride bikes and eat pastries-April 14, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
4-6 miles

30 Days of Biking: Family Ride--Three Playground Tour!-April 15, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 15, 2018
Pryes Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 17, 2018
Bent Brewstillery
Roseville, MN

30 Days of Biking: Thursday Ride Series-April 19, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Tiny Bike Shop Concert featuring the Decayed Realms-April 20, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
Tickets

30 Days of Biking: Record Store Day Ride-April 21, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 21, 2018
Pryes Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

In which we ride bikes and eat pastries-April 21, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
4-6 miles

30 Days of Biking: Campout Fake-Out-April 22, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 22, 2018
56 Brewing
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 23, 2018
Pryes Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 24, 2018
Lake Monster Brewing
St. Paul, MN

30 Days of Biking: Thursday Ride Series-April 26, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 28, 2018
Utepils Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN

In which we ride bikes and eat pastries-April 28, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
4-6 miles

30 Days of Biking: Bikes & Music-April 29, 2018
Farmstead Bike Shop
Minneapolis, MN

Ben Weaver's: 30 Days of Biking River Ramble IV-April 29, 2018
Perennial Cycle
Minneapolis, MN
Online Registration

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 29, 2018
Bent Brewstillery
Roseville, MN

Bike and a Pint or 2-April 30, 2018
Sisyphus Brewing
Minneapolis, MN

30 Days of Biking Celebration Rides-April 30, 2018
Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake
Duluth, MN

Grand Finale Campout with 30 Days of Biking & Surly Brewing-May 5-6, 2018
Surly Brewing Company
Minneapolis, MN
Tickets

30 Things I Learned During 30 Days of Biking-Part 2

In previous years I have passed up on making the pledge for 30 Days of Biking because I didn't think I could commit with my busy schedule.  This year was different and even though my schedule was still hectic, I decided to make the pledge anyway and commit to ride my bike every day in April.  I would learn a lot of things about myself, my bike and where I rode over those thirty days.  I would like to share these revelations and maybe they will inspire others to make the pledge next year.

Choose ride apparel right before a ride.  The weather forecast from the night before may have changed since, so I would always find out what the live temperature and conditions were before selecting what I was going to wear.  This saved me from wearing something too warm or not warm enough.

Google Maps with Biking Directions helps when planning a ride.  When there was an area I wanted to ride but was unfamiliar with the bike infrastructure there I would visit Google Maps and on the menu tab I would select "Bicycling" and it would highlight trails, bicycle-friendly roads, dedicated lanes and dirt/unpaved trails.  This made planning a route much easier.

Wet lube lasts longer and works great in rainy weather.  As you may know, April can be a very wet month here in Minnesota so I always use a wet chain lube as opposed to a dry one.  With wet lube I don't have to reapply as often even if riding in the pouring rain for several rides.

I relied on my Garmin Edge 1000 in map mode when traveling unfamiliar areas.  To avoid dead ends or stay on an impromptu route this came in very handy.  I could glance down at my Garmin and determine quickly if I should continue forward or take that turn ahead.

I learned the real battery life of my electronic devices.  When using my Garmin and lights everyday I could gauge whether I had enough battery for another ride or two or I should recharge before heading out.  It didn't take long to figure this out.

If everything is ready the night before it makes it much easier to go for a ride and have more time to do it.  I would set out my electronics, helmet, shoes/boots and have my bike ready to go the night before so all I had to do is get dressed for the weather.  I then had no excuse to not ride.

I could arrive to work early and ride the bike infrastructure nearby to save time.  With plenty of trails, roads and even singletrack within a 5 mile radius of my work I would budget my time, leave the parking lot and ride.  This allowed me to get back to work, get in a shower and change before I had to start my shift.  Having a shower at work was nice for those rides I got a bit sweaty on.

I had to clean and maintain my bike more frequently when riding every day.  Mostly it was just a matter of keeping the drivetrain clean since I was riding a little bit of everything (gravel, singletrack, wet pavement, etc.).  Using wet lube attracts dirt and grime which required wiping down the chain and cleaning up the cassette/chainring.  Since I had the bike in the stand I might as well clean the wheels and the frame too.

Wearing glasses makes it easier to see when riding in the rain.  I did ride quite a bit in the rain during April and my glasses helped out a lot.  I wasn't getting pelted in the eyes with raindrops while I was moving at a pretty good pace allowing me to see the road, other traffic and avoid hazards.

Riding everyday made it easier to climb hills and ride longer distances.  I found this especially to be true on the last day of 30 Days of Biking when I rode 56 miles of gravel and hills at the Miesville 56.  I even beat my time from last year and I was was rolling with 4.5" fat tires as opposed to 2.8" tires a year ago with the same bike.

My cyclocross boots got much more use than previously.  I rode a lot in the morning and that was the coldest time of the day so instead of wearing my shoes with shoe covers, I opted for my waterproof cyclocross boots.  They were made with neoprene and really held in the warmth.  With all the rain we had in April they were my go-to footwear for keeping my feet dry also.

I paid more attention to my friend's activities on Strava.  Not only did they gave me ideas for future rides to keep things fresh but it was fun to follow their progress and improvements during 30 Days of Biking.

Riding in the morning is my favorite time of day to ride.  I rode in the afternoon and evening also, but riding in the morning for me was a great way to start the day.  Afterward I would shower and feel great going into the rest of the day.  The angle of the sun, the birds chirping and being out in nature made it a pretty great experience.

Commuting to work is a great way to get in two rides during a day.  Taking different routes each time made the ride more interesting also.  I could get in a ride during my favorite period of the day, the morning and roll with the sunset on the way home in the evening.

I watched the weather forecasts much more closely than normal, especially the hourly forecasts which seem to be the most accurate.  With temperatures and possibilities of precipitation all over the place during April it helped me plan accordingly for the apparel and gear I would need for the ride.

Image Credit: 30 Days of Biking

If you've never made the pledge for 30 Days of Biking before, I highly recommend it.  I'm positive that it will teach you 30 things about yourself, your bike(s) and gear that will make you a better cyclist.

30 Things I Learned During 30 Days of Biking-Part 1

In previous years I have passed up on making the pledge for 30 Days of Biking because I didn't think I could commit with my busy schedule.  This year was different and even though my schedule was still hectic, I decided to make the pledge anyway and commit to ride my bike every day in April.  I would learn a lot of things about myself, my bike and where I rode over those thirty days.  I would like to share these revelations and maybe they will inspire others to make the pledge next year.

I always felt great after a ride, even if I didn't feel like going out for one.  There were many mornings that I had no desire to get on my bike and would rather sleep a little longer, but I made the pledge so I had to ride.  I never had a day where I regretted hopping on my bike and logging some miles.

Every ride is a good ride no matter how long or short it is.  Depending on the day of the week in regards to my work schedule, I found that I had enough time to get in at least 4 or more miles and still fulfill my obligations.  A short ride is still a good ride and on many of these days where my time was limited I wished I had more of it to get in extra miles.

There is a lot more bike infrastructure near my home than I realized.  On the days I had limited time to get in a ride I would bike from home and explore my neighborhood and beyond.  I didn't know there were so many bike trails with great scenery within a 5 mile radius of where I live.

The weather dictated where I could ride.  I love mountain biking but on rainy days I had to stick to the pavement or gravel instead of hitting the local singletrack.  This just gave me many options to choose from on where to ride.

I rode places I hadn't been before.  I tried to keep each ride a fresh one by not repeating a ride from earlier in the month which helped me get creative and go to the areas I had always wanted to bike but never seemed to get around to it.

I learned my favorite biking discipline by trying them all during 30 Days of Biking.  I rode singletrack, paved trails, gravel and roads depending on the weather and my mood.  I found mountain biking is still my favorite with gravel as a close second.

Don't put away the winter cycling gear just because it's Spring.  The weather in April can be all over the board from warm and sunny to cold and windy with either rain or snow.  During the 30 days I used clothing and gear to cover all four seasons.

It's ok for my bike to get a little dirty for a few days, I'll get around to cleaning it soon or the next time it rains while I ride, it will get a quick rinse off.

Fenders work pretty good in the pouring rain, especially on a fatbike.  I'm going to get wet, but at least I won't get a continuous spray thrown at me from my tires.

Discovering new places to ride and revisit is thrilling.  In search of some singletrack I hadn't ridden before I decided to give Sechler Park in Northfield a try.  It was awesome, CROCT really did a nice job and there is even a skills park to practice my technique.  I'll definitely be heading back here frequently.

When you ride everyday you run into your bike friends more often.  I found this to be especially true at the local singletrack, however I did end up rolling with some friends for a bit on one of the local gravel routes I do.

Check tire pressure before every ride, especially with a fatbike.  With the variety of surfaces that I rode during those thirty days, I had to adjust my pressure to accommodate.  Singletrack required less pressure than pavement or gravel.

Riding with front and rear lights gets you seen by motorists during the daytime, especially on cloudy days.  Sometimes motorists don't expect to see cyclists on the road during inclement weather and lights will get me seen more often than without them.

I really got to see the change of seasons.  Slowly over the month of April I watched as everything began to turn from a drab gray to a bright green as the buds on the trees began to pop and vegetation started to sprout up.

Wool socks aren't just for Winter.  A ride can start out cold in the morning and warm up quickly, but at least with wool socks my feet stayed warm and they wicked moisture when things heated up.  Even if my feet got a little wet on one of the rainy day rides my wool socks continued to insulate.