Note: Both of our river crossings of the regular are currently not available (in Osceola and the I-94 bridge). The updated route goes up to Taylor Falls/ St. Croix, then down to Osceola. We'll still pass the Bass Lake Cheese Factory at mile 65 and then have only 12 miles left back to Oak Park Heights is via the Hwy. 36 bridge in Stillwater. So definitely some new roads on this otherwise classic route - check it out.
Need a way to wind down the season and enjoy some nice scenery and quiet roads? This 75 mile (125Km), moderately hilly cruise along both sides of the St. Croix River is a great leg loosener with good roads and scenery. The route starts at the Stillwater High School parking lot, just across from the Speedway at 5804 Neal Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082.
Starting in Stillwater, the route heads north over some mild rollers and good pavement through Scandia. Our detour leads us further north to Taylors Falls & St. Croix where we croiss into Wisconsin. We'll ride the "rustic" road with many rollers to Osceola. From Osceola, the route continues with many rollers and dips into small valleys on very quiet country roads as it works south to the next checkpoint. You will pass numerous small streams, remote farmhouses and several forests. Roads are generally very good, but there are some bumpy parts. Our detour leads us this time through Somerset.
The next control is the lunch stop at Bass Lake Cheese Factory at mile 65. A full bar, sandwich deli and a wide selection of cheeses are available along with an outdoor patio dining area. Unfortunatley, we'll miss our favourite downhill section on Trout Brook Road and go directly to Stillwater.
This route is NOT Western Minnesota flat prairie, but it is also not the major hills encountered in the real driftless area of Wisconsin. There are a few grind it out, shorter hills, but nothing too serious. This is a really pleasant route and a great way to get the season underway.
Special thanks to Gary Bakke for creating and running this ride for several years.
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Keith Larson | |
| Norman Ehrentreich | |
| Trisha Groth |