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.

Fall Weather Cycling Tips

Fall is now upon us leading to changing weather and road/trail conditions for cyclists.  While this change of season can present some hurdles to getting out for a ride, these can be overcome with the right equipment, apparel and a little know-how.  In this post I will present some of the tricks and safety tips that I have learned over the years commuting and riding during this transitional season.

See and Be Seen

Fall means less daylight hours and darkness begins to set in during the evening rush hour.  Get yourself some quality rechargeable LED lights to see and be seen by motorists.  Cloudy days and pre-dawn hours are also good times to have your lights on.  I'm a firm believer in lights "always on" no matter the time of day to increase my visibility.

Adjust the angle of your front light to accommodate for speed or conditions so as to not over drive your headlight.   Over driving your headlight coverage can put you in danger of hitting obstacles, potholes and other road hazards.

Exercise caution at intersections, especially during dark hours.  Motorists aren't always expecting cyclists to be out during the cold months and any way you can get their attention before crossing can keep you from being hit.  I will use a loud whistle to make my presence known if I think motorists are unaware of me.  If you are not sure whether a motorist knows you are there, err on the side of caution and don't put yourself in a position that could lead to being struck.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

Reflectives, in addition to lights, will help get you seen during low light hours.  I use Brilliant Reflective Stick-on Strips placed on my forks for approaching traffic and on my seat stays for better visibility from behind and the side.  These strips are made with 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material that is super bright and can be seen from up to 500 feet away letting motorists know of your presence.  Bike bags and apparel with reflective accents and brightly colored clothing are also good choices after dark to make yourself more visible.

There are a lot of anti-fog products on the market as well as many home remedies that you can find online to keep your glasses or goggles clear in the cold.  I use one on my daytime and nighttime eyewear to avoid that irritating fogging of my lenses.  Using a neck gaiter, balaclava, scarf or working up a sweat can fog up your glasses quickly and using an anti-fog of some sort will keep you seeing clearly.

Road Conditions

The freeze/thaw cycle of fall can present some road hazards that you won't experience in warmer weather.  Frozen puddles and frost in the shadows can can present some slick riding conditions so keep alert and avoid these obstacles to keep your bike "rubber side down".

Fallen leaves on roadways and bike paths can hide potholes, frozen puddles and other obstacles you want to avoid to ride safely.  Moving over may mean you will have to take the lane to get safely by.

Check your tire pressure often and adjust accordingly as cold weather can lead to decreased psi.  Lowering your tire pressure can help put more of the tire in contact with the road providing better traction but release too much air and you risk pinch flats.  A lot of bike commuters will switch over to a wider tire choice this time of year to put a little more rubber on the road for a more confident ride feel.  I swap out my 35 mm tires to a wider 45 mm each year at this time.

Clothing Choices

Get your clothes picked out the night before based on the weather forecast for your commute or ride to save time getting ready in the morning.  This will also help to make sure you don't forget anything.

This is the time of year I start using all of my baselayers to provide the warmth and wicking needed to ride comfortably.  I use wool, polyester, and wool blends of different thicknesses to cover a wide variety of temperatures.  After some trial and error over the years I have gotten pretty good at picking the right one to pair with my jacket selection.  The key is to start out a ride a little chilly because you will start to generate your own heat soon enough.  Choosing a baseleayer that is too warm for the temperature will leave you starting out warm and cozy but soon lead to  overheating causing excessive sweat that will have you wet and chilled.

A neck gaiter and a windproof/breathable beanie under the helmet provides some extra warmth on chilly mornings and evenings.  When things warm up during the ride they can be removed and stored in a jacket pocket.

Get yourself a good pair of windproof/waterproof shoe covers to keep your feet warm and dry.  I wear mine over my cyclocross boots with wool socks to give me extra riding time in below freezing temperatures.

Keep the cold out with a quality windproof and breathable soft shell jacket.  It will cut wind's bite and let moisture and heat escape to help regulate your body temperature.  Jackets with zipper venting under the arms or in the front can be opened to cool you down so you don't become overheated and can be closed when you're comfortable again.  I'm a big fan of Gore Windstopper and Bontrager soft shell jackets but there are a lot of good choices out on the market.  If you don't have one of these in your cycling apparel arsenal, buying one is well worth the investment for cold weather cycling.

Riding during the fall months that lead into winter can be enjoyable with the right gear and know-how.  Don't let the cold or shorter days cut your riding season short.

Tips For Bike Commuters

Bike commuting puts me in a great mood for a day at work and I certainly prefer it to driving a car but there are a few things you can do to make your rides safer, more convenient and comfortable.  In this post I've listed some of the things learned from my daily commutes that you can use whether you're thinking about giving bike commuting a try or you're a seasoned commuter.

Ditch the backpack and let the bike carry the load.  Frame, seat and handlebar bags can be used to carry a change of clothes and toiletries if traveling light works for you.

For longer commutes and those times when nature calls learn where the "rest stops" are along the way just in case. Parks are good places to find portables and building facilities.

Daytime running lights help get you seen by motorists especially on overcast or foggy days.  The majority of car/bike accidents happen during daylight hours so why wouldn't you want to increase your visibility for safety?

Keep it fresh and choose a different route from time to time. I'll sometimes leave for work early to take the long way in or go a completely different way  just so I can change things up a bit.  By doing this I have found more enjoyable and often safer routes to and from work.

Take advantage of natural windbreaks on those windy days if available. I was riding on the road fighting a stiff head/cross wind and moving over to the bike path adjacent to the woods really cut down on the wind.

When you have two options (road vs. bike path), opt for the safer one for the conditions, time of day and traffic.  I have learned the traffic patterns along my route and riding the road certain times of the day can be safer/less safe than taking the adjacent bike trail.

Check the weather regularly and be prepared with the proper apparel.  If there is any chance of rain during my commute I will pack a jacket that will keep me dry just in case I need it.  Morning commutes may require more clothing than a much warmer end of the work day commute and checking the weather forecast ahead of time will help select the right apparel for both of them.

Flats are going to happen, do you know what to do?  I run tubeless so incidents of flat tires happen less frequently but I've had to inflate tires that lost pressure before my sealant stopped the leak. I carry tire plugs for larger punctures and recently had to use one when sealant alone wouldn't do the trick.

One should always carry tire levers, a spare tube (if not running tubeless), tire pump or inflator with CO2 cartridge because it's no fun walking your bike when a 5 minute tube change will get you up and rolling again.  Watch this video from Trek on how to change a tube if you don't know how yet.

Use a tool cup in a bottle cage to carry the necessary things like a multi-tool, chainbreaker, lube and a master link that may get you out of a jam and back to riding in the event of a mechanical that requires your attention.  This is also a good place to stash your tire levers, CO2 cartridges/inflator and emergency cash.

Prepare your gear the night before so getting out the door is quick and easy in the morning.  I will always have my work clothes packed, bike clothes laid out and lights and Garmin ready to go so all I have to do is get dressed and leave.  This definitely speeds things up and helps avoid forgetting something.

Google Maps with bicycling directions is a great navigational tool. I've used it many times on my phone paired with headphones to navigate areas I'm unfamiliar with.  It also comes in handy when I need to take the shortest route that is bicycle friendly. With audible directions turned on using earbuds, turn-by-turn instructions are announced while riding just like it does when driving a car.  If a turn is missed rerouting directions kick in.

If you're like me, you have a few rechargeable devices that need a fresh charge for the next commute. Head and tail lights, GPS computer, action camera and phone can all be charged at the same time with a USB hub. Just plug everything in when you get home and unplug later when fully charged.

Get a tire pressure gauge. Check pressure regularly and adjust accordingly for better handling and a decreased chance of getting pinch flats. Temperature changes can affect tire pressure and tubes lose air with time. Even though I run tubeless on my bikes I still check pressures regularly and adjust for the riding conditions.

Enjoy those night commutes home, they're a great way to unwind after a long day at work.  Put on some good music or a favorite podcast, lose yourself in the ride and feel the stress of the day slip away.

Invest in some quality cycling apparel for all types of weather.  Bike commuters ride it all so having the right apparel for the conditions is key to staying comfortable, warm and dry.  Having several changes of cycling apparel helps if you don't have time to get to washing it for a few days.

I wear eye protection for my day and night commutes.  While sunglasses are the obvious choice for daylight hours to cut glare and see better in sunny conditions, clear lenses keep those flying insects from ending up in your eyes during night rides.  Glasses also provide protection from the wind keeping eyes from watering up.

Sometimes drivers are confused of who should yield or they're surprised by my presence in traffic and don't know how to react, that's why I use hand signals. Doing so helps communicate my intent or lets them know they must yield right of way. It's almost always at intersections that I end up having to use hand signals.

Don't be afraid to take the lane when needed.  When a bike path or shoulder isn't a safe option, taking the lane gives a cyclist greater visibility to motorists and helps prevent the dreaded squeeze-by by forcing them to pass safely in the adjacent lane.

Intersections are the most dangerous part of the commute.  Learn how to navigate them and what to avoid.  Take the lane when necessary for better visibility to motorists, to prevent right hooks from right turning vehicles and unsafe overtaking.  The video below explains how to safely navigate intersections and the reasoning behind the methods.

Bike commuting is not only fun but can be great exercise, reduce greenhouse gases, save money on gasoline and put you in a great mood for the rest of the day.  Give bike commuting a try and it may quickly become your favorite mode of transportation to work and errands.  For more bike commuter discussion join the Twin Cities Bike Commuters Facebook group today.

Facebook Groups To Motivate You To Bike More In 2019

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.

Last summer I began riding my bike to work a lot more and found bike commuting was way more fun than going by car.  I couldn't wait for work to be over so I could jump on my bike and take the long way home.  The idea to start the Twin Cities Bike Commuters Facebook group came out of these commutes. This group would provide a forum for discussions about safety, gear and Q&A for beginners as well as veteran bike commuters in the Twin Cities metro area.  Twin Cities Bike Commuters is a public* group with over 160 members.

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/ 

Social media has really brought together the bike community as a whole and Facebook groups help riders of all abilities join in on the discussion, learn some new things and make new friends.  Explore these groups to see which ones are right for you and join one or several today.

*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