This message is for folks that are driving out on Friday morning to meet up with those of us that are camping. 

First, please meet at the Leb Hills Parking Lot around 8:00 AM.   We will roll out of the campground at 8:00 AM and the route goes right by the Lebanon Hills Mtn Bike park.  

Second, Parking.  Itt has come to my attention that the Lebanon Hills Mtn Bike park and parking lot will likely be closed on Friday AM.  It has been closed all week due to rain.    This means you will have to find alternative parking.  Here are a couple of options. 

1)  There is a residential neighborhood with a play ground 1 block north of the Lebanon Hills parking lot.    Go 1  block north, take a left and drive ahead to the parking lot at the playground.    There is also residential parking.  

2)  Park and Ride - There is a designated park n ride lot at 35E and Cliff road.  This is 1 mile from the parking lot.  It is a great place to leave your car. 

Again, please meet us at 8:00AM in/around the Lebanon Hills Mtn Bike parking lot and we will proceed on bike path to the route.



I will have print outs available at the start of the ride.   

Options:

- There is an extended gravel loop that we can do if we desire.  Maybe folks are feeling good.  Maybe we won't be able to ride the farm roads because of mud or rain.

- We have a short 2 mile extension to Farmington, MN if folks want/need water, coffee or refreshments.

Hope to see you all very, very soon!

Thursday, June 17th - Arrive and camp at Lebanon Hills Campground.   Reserve your campsite here.  This is a really fun gathering night.   Last year after set up several went and rode a lap or two at the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail.   

Friday, June 18th - The ride will be roughly 60 miles of single track, paved bike path, gravel, grass double track, and pavement.  We will leave the Lebanon Hills Campground at 8:00AM.  This should give you time to get ready in the morning and pack your stuff.    We will proceed to the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike parking lot and start from there if any folks are not camping and want to drive in that morning.    The ride is a voluntary group ride.   You come and ride at your own risk.   If you plan to race this event, please find another event to race.   This is a ride that is about fun and experiencing the environment. 

Note - Friday Afternoon - Many of us doing my ride will head to Cable, Wisconsin area for the Salsa Sol Sessions.  You are all welcome to join us, go home or continue camping and riding at Lebanon Hills.

Saturday June 19th and June 20th - Salsa Sol Sessions - Check info here.  Make sure to also reserve campsite or lodging.   Think of two more days of riding sweet single track and camping with like minded folks.   I can't wait......We will be staying at the Namekagon Campground.

Questions I've had so far?  

Will we be carrying camping gear on the Gnat Adventure Ride?   - No.   We can leave all gear at camp.   

Will the route have food/water stops?   - Nope, not without adding 3-4 miles to the route.   Maybe we will do this, but don't count on it.  Plan to carry your food and water from the start.  

How long wil the ride last?  - Hard to tell, but I am guessing aobut 6 hours of riding & stopping, plus time for photos, food stops, etc.   

What bike should I ride?  - Whatever you've got.  I'll be riding my Fargo as will many others as it is ideally suited for the route I'm planning.    That said, both mountain bikes and cross bikes will work, both will be at an advantage and a disadvantage at some point on this route.    Yet, both will work great.  

Note about bikes - If you are planning on going to the Salsa Sol Sessions following my Fargo Adventure Ride, I suggest you seriously consider bringing a second bike.  Make sure you bring a mountain bike that you are comfortable riding over technical, rocky, rooty and fast single track.   I'm not about to tell you what bike is best for that, but if it isn't the bike you plan on riding at my ride, then I suggest you bring a second bike.  

I'd like to bring my family to camp, are there things for my family to do?   - Absolutely.   The MN Zoo is less than a mile from camp.  In addition, many parks, playgrounds and other activities surround the campground.   There is hiking, biking, fishing and canoeing all within the boundaries of Lebanon Hills.   

Thursday, June 17th - Arrive to Lebanon Hills Campground and set up camp.   An evening lap or two at Lebanon Hill Mountain Bike trail is the ride option for Thursday.   It's a half mile from the campground.  For those not familiar with Lebanon Hills, the trail system has about 10 miles of flowy, twisty and fast midwest single track.   One of the 2009 participants of the Fargo ride called Leb bermalicious!   

Friday, June 18th - Gnat's Adventure Ride - We will be doing a rural route heading south east of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.   The route will be roughly 60 miles. I shortened it because we are heading to Cable, Wisconsin shortly after the ride to ride a whole bunch more.  I will do a seperate post on the route along with what to expect but as I said in the first post, it will include all surfaces.  I'm sorry I put this back on a Friday, but I'm hoping due to giving folks a lot of time to prepare that more folks will come.  Also, it IS NOT a race.  If you want to make it one I suggest you find a race to go to instead.  This is going to be an amazingly fun route with really good people.  Enjoy it.  Look around.   Take pictures.   Laugh. 

Saturday, June 19th - An event will be announced soon regarding this portion.  I will update after the announcement.  I will simply tell you that we will be camping and riding in the Cable, Wisconsin area and all are welcome.  It is a fun based RIDING gathering of like minded individuals.   

Sunday, June 20th - Same as June 19th, but today will be a bit shorter ride as will drive back to the city.   

So....Just in case you are not sure you want to do this, I suggest you take a quick look at this short slide show.  It's juat a few pics.   

In my opinion, this will be the best weekend of riding, fun and adventure in all of 2010.   Don't miss it.

OK...Now onto details.

1)  This is a voluntary ride and you are participating at your own risk.   It is like a group ride.   It is not a race and we will be using public roads (both paved and gravel) and obeying all traffic laws.   

2)  Camping - The campground will not accept reservations yet.   It's winter here.  I will do a post an announcement when the campground is ready along with information on what cluster and camping area to try to reserve.   I will also post up a few hotel options if you are so inclined to go that route. 

3)  Photos - I would like to do a portrait of all the participants.   We'll see how this goes.

4)  Route - I will post route information later.  I've got about 40-45 of the miles finished already.   It's going to be sweet.   I'll also include ride start time, where to park cars, etc.   

5)  Bikes - Any and all are welcome.  Yes, it's a Fargo ride because the Fargo is ideally suited for this route, but you will have fun and be able to complete the ride with whatever you've got....with exception of a road bike.  You will have a miserable time if you ride your road bike with skinny tires but I've been proven wrong before and your bike choice is ultimately up to you.