Grand Rapids 2023 – 3 Days of Bicycling
July 7-9 2023 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Grand Rapids is back again this year. I hope you can join us for 3 days of scenic touring in Itasca County. You won’t want to miss this great weekend of riding and socializing with old and new acquaintances. This year all routes will be departing from Grand Rapids.
Lodging –
Notable hotels are the Country Inn, Super 8, AmericInn, & Timberlodge. There is also camping at the Pokegama Dam Campgrounds and they are just about full already. I would recommend making reservations as soon as possible. A group of us already have campsites reserved and there is the possibility that all reserved sites may not be used. So if you would like to camp and are not able to secure a site please let me know and I’ll put you on our list in case someone decides to cancel.
Rides Information
Friday’s Ride will start from:
Rapids Brewing Company
214 N. Pokegama Avenue
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Saturday and Sunday Rides from:
Super One Grocery Store
503 NW 4th Street (aka Hwy 2)
Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (Park in the overflow Parking Lot north of the supermarket across 5th Street)
Route Info – Rides are listed as A/B, meaning we plan to ride a true A/B pace. I’m hoping to find an additional ride leader to lead “B” pace ride group as well.
Day 1 Friday July 7 – GR Rapid Brewing – 44 Miles – Depart 12:45 PM from Rapid Brewing Company. This is a new route this year. This route will have scenic paved roads with wide shoulders and will pass several Lakes including Lake Pokegama.
Day 2 Saturday July 8 –Deer River – 50 Miles – Depart 9:30 AM from Super One Grocery Store. We will head west out of GR on scenic gentle rolling terrain that will pass by many lakes and wooded forest. The route will eventually take us into Deer River for the Wild Rice Festival. We will take our lunch break at the Wild Rice Festival featuring Wild Rice Hot dish Dinner and home-made pie. (50 to 60 mile options) Routes being finalized.
Day 3 Sunday July 9 – Depart 9:30 AM from Super Once Grocery Store – This route is still not finalized or quite determined yet. This route may ride part of the Mesabi Trail so a day pass may be required. Daily pass is $5 and can be obtained at the Trail Head. You can expect 40 to 55 mile options.
Rest Stops may be 20 to 25 miles between towns. Carry snacks and plenty of fluids.
Routes will be on RWGPS and are still be worked on.
Emergency Contact Form: “If you bring it, you won’t need it.” Hopefully that’s the case with the Emergency Contact form you will need to access off the TCBC website. If you would, please fill this out so we have contact info for you in case something should happen. Please fill out 2 copies—carry one with you on your bike and put the other in a sealed envelope and I’ll collect them on Friday and return them on Sunday.
Group Meals
Friday Night Dinner – Rapids Brewing has a full menu. We’ll plan on early dinner following the ride at the Brewery if interested.
Saturday 6 pm – We will most likely do a cookout at the Pokegama Dam Campgrounds – Bring something to grill and a dish to share. More info later on.
Breakfast will be on your own. There will be rest stops on the routes to refuel.
RSVP by June 30th to diane.ziemer@comcast.net if planning on attending to be included on the email list for final details. Please email or call me with any questions. 612-247-4835.
Finalized routes will be added to the TCBC Calendar in July. Please register for the ride on the TCBC ride calendar by July 3rd, so I’m able to print the ride roster sheets before I head up north for the week. Please register for each day that you plan to ride.
