Join us for a great gravel experience through SE Minnesota, from Zumbrota, on US-52, to Weaver and back, with many winding gravel gems along the way. The route is reasonably challenging, with 7500' of climbing but also includes many flat miles cruising along the Zumbro and Whitewater Rivers. Most roads are good class B gravel so somewhat wider tires are good (32+mm).
From Zumbrota the route travels through Mazeppa to the first control in Plainview, then down the hill into Elba before heading east over to the Mississippi River, using the old US-61 bridge/trail to get to Weaver. A relaxing cruise along the Whitewater River then a good up to get back to Plainview again, at a different c-store with a Subway nearby. From here, the route spends some more miles exploring the Zumbro River valley before a well deserved ice cream stop in Zumbro Falls. From there the route winds through Mazeppa again on the way back to the Kwik Trip in Zumbrota.
Expect lots of shorter hills, a couple or three longer climbs and long stretches with no traffic and opportunities to enjoy the marshs, coulees and hills of this very scenic driftless part of Minnesota.
There is very limited parking at the Zumbrota Kwik Trip, but there are nearby residential streets and open lots within a block or two of the start.
70% of this route is on gravel roads (161km, RUSA Time Limit: 13:30 + 2:41 gravel allowance = 16:11)
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Rob Welsh | |
| Dawn Piech | |
| Keith Larson |