Bicyclists converge at Jay Cooke for 150-mile tour of area

A grand total of 75 bicyclists from across the state spent the Labor Day weekend enjoying a 150-mile tour of the communities around Jay Cooke State Park as part of the 10th annual Bike Minnesota! event. A Parks and Trails Council event, Bike Minnesota! is based at a different Minnesota State Park each year.

“It’s a chance for Parks and Trails Council supporters to enjoy the camaraderie of bicycling together while partaking in programs that highlight the unique character of this area of the state,” said Brett Feldman, executive director for the Parks and Trails Council.

Last weekend’s bike tour was led by former U.S. Representative and retired judge David Minge. The bicyclists rode about 50 miles each day to enjoy the local scenery and learn about the area through numerous program stops, including a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in Wrenshall, the Fires of 1918 Museum and Depot in Moose Lake, Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center, the Esko Historic Site and lunch at Cloquet’s Pine Valley followed by a program at the Carlton County Historical Society. Each night bicyclists returned to Jay Cooke State Park to camp.

“We were excited to be at Jay Cooke, in part, because one of the founders of Parks and Trails Council is the late Judge C. R. Magney, who, when mayor of Duluth helped to double the size of Jay Cooke State Park,” explained Feldman.

Since 1954, Parks and Trails Council has been instrumental in creating parks and trails across the state. The Bike Minnesota! event traversed the Willard Munger State Trail and on Monday riders learned about the late Willard Munger from his son during a stop at the Willard Munger Inn.

“We try to bring in local voices to tell the story of the region,” said Minge.

“More than anything this event highlights the vital contribution that our state’s parks and trails make to our health, our economy and our great Minnesota outdoor way of life,” said Minge.

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3/4: Bikers enjoy refreshments at the Esko Historical Society Museum last Saturday as part of the Bike Minnesota event. Historical Society volunteers provided water, coffee, fruit, bars and cookies at tables set up near the museum. Photo Courtesy of the Esko Historical Society

4/4: Former Congressman David Minge (center) and 70 fellow bikers spent a couple of hours Saturday at the Esko Historical Society Museum. Minge, who made bike treks through his home district in southwestern Minnesota during his eight years in Congress, helped create Bike Minnesota for the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota in 2005. Shown here with Minge are Esko Historical Society board member Davis Helberg (left) and Brett Feldman, St. Paul, executive director of the Parks & Trails Council.