Foggy Alternative

RRT – Lanesboro, Harmony, Fountain: 58.68 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 4 hours 11 minutes, average speed 14.0

To get the miles on we planned for the day, we needed to begin biking even before the heavy morning fog lifted. The road was unsafe to be on so we drove down to Lanesboro to put on some more RRT miles. We began pedaling out of Lanesboro towards Harmony where lunch was planned at On the Crunchy Side American Bar & Grill. The hills up to Harmony can be taxing but knowing that food was at the end of our climb helped to cajole us along.

The best part about making it to Harmony is the ride back down—miles of freewheeling. As we neared Isinours Junction (4.5 miles from Lanesboro), we made the decision to add more climb to our route and turned up towards Fountain. Before we turned, however, we spotted an ambulance and cop car on the trail with their lights flashing. We were reminded how dangerous this sport can be and could only hope injuries to the cyclist were minimal.

Discover the dramatic river-carved blufflands of southeastern Minnesota! Part of the Blufflands Trail System, the Root River State Trail provides outstanding views of the soaring limestone bluffs of the Root River Valley. Wildlife is abundant, and sightings of wild turkey, deer, hawks and turkey vultures are common. This paved, 42-mile state trail begins in Fountain and runs through the quaint and picturesque rural communities of Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. Constructed on an abandoned railroad, the trail is generally level.

We are so fortunate to have this wonderful trail system just miles from our front door. We look forward to its expansion and improvements coming in 2013.