The Brainerd Lakes Area is A Bicycle Enthusiast ’ s Mecca
BY RACHEL M . ANDERSON • EDITOR & CONTRIBUTING WRITER
North minnesota
CYCLING
Minnesota has been named one of the top five cycle-friendly states in the nation by the Bicycle Friendly American League , and for good reason . When it comes to infrastructure and funding for bike trails , education and encouragement to ride bicycles , and policies and programs related to cycling , the state earns all A ’ s in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card .
Ed Shaw , who is a member of Paul Bunyan Cyclists , a bicycling club based in Brainerd , has been riding in the Brainerd Lakes area for more than 20 years . He is very familiar with the best places in the region to ride .
“ This area in particular has a variety of bike options ,” he said . “ There ’ s very good road biking on the Paul Bunyon Trail which goes from Crow Wing State Park to Bemidji . There ’ s a trail in Crosby that ’ s going to be expanded in the near future ; and there are plenty of gravel trails for off road cycling and mountain biking .”
Shaw said he got into cycling more than 20 years ago as a fun way to get outside and stay in shape . Today , he has a bike for pretty much every occasion . “ I have a new road bike , an old road bike , a mountain bike , a fat bike — I have the full ensemble ,” he said .
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