Ride the Range: A Minnesota Mountain Biking Collaboration

Jul 2, 2021Mountain Bike Trails, News

Visit our trail-friendly sponsor!
Cultivate the best of biking on miles of trails in Marshall, MN

In a region traditionally known for the veins of iron ore that run through the land, a new, 21st-century trail has been blazed from the Cuyuna Range to the Laurentian Divide of Biwabik—in the form of 100-plus miles of purpose-built, destination-class mountain bike trails.

Ride the Range represents a trail and cultural immersion of four northern Minnesota mountain bike destinations—Cuyuna (Crosby), Giants Ridge Bike Park (Biwabik), Redhead (Chisholm), and Tioga Recreation Area (Cohasset). Each of these communities represent Minnesota’s pioneering and current stakeholders in America’s iron-ore mining effort—one that helped the United States declare victory in both World Wars, and continues to fuel our country’s infrastructure growth today.

Tioga Trails

Tioga Mountain Bike Trails

“This is a large-scale collaboration across community, county, and Range lines,” said Max Peters, Tioga. “Ride the Range is able to showcase all four destinations to a greater mountain biking audience, both nationally and internationally.”

In total, Ride the Range includes more than 100 miles of lift-served downhill, gravity flow downhill, cross-country, and soon, the Iron Range’s first adaptive handcycle trail. Ride the Range isn’t just for experts, it was purposefully designed and built to provide trail experiences for beginners to Olympic champions.

Redhead Mountain Bike Park

Mountain Biker on a path by a lake

“We know cyclists want a full week of riding, best-in-class riding, and riding that isn’t exactly the same at each destination,” said Jaimie Niska, Giants Ridge. “Ride the Range was funded, designed, and constructed to fulfill those needs, and we as Minnesota’s Iron Range can’t wait for you to shred our red.”

The signature features of Ride the Range are the red dirt trails, crystal clear water, giant boulders, and elevated views. The red dirt comes from the iron-bearing dirt of Minnesota’s man-made mountains: former open-pit iron mines now filled with crystal clear water, and red overburden hills now home to Minnesota’s newest forests.“You’ll experience overlooks and lakescapes that are hard to believe were created by mining,” said Aaron Hautala, Cuyuna. “Ride the Range is at the intersection of reclamation and rejuvenation. It’s a region-wide purpose-built product showing how two seemingly opposing forces—mining and outdoor recreation—have successfully worked together to create an experience like nowhere else.”

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Cuyuna Mountain Biking

Ride the Range is also the result of the grit and pride that powers the Range ‘can-do’ culture. “Like Rangers do, we dreamt, we innovated, we connected, and we built. Now we’re delivering one incredible destination for mountain biking enthusiasts,” said Jordan Metsa, Redhead. “When you visit our communities, you’ll love our trails, and you may also fall in love with our story. You’ll see first-hand how America and our region were forged in the industrial revolution and how a pioneering partnership between industry and community is showcasing mineland restoration at its finest, today.”

Ride the Range is a collaboration of Cuyuna Adventure Town USA®, City of Cohasset, Tioga Recreation Area, Visit Grand Rapids, Iron Range Tourism, City of Chisholm, Minnesota Discovery Center, Redhead, and Giants Ridge Bike Park. To learn more about Ride the Range and the mountain bike destinations within it, visit RidetheRange.com.

Visit our trail-friendly sponsor!
Hutchinson MN: Home of the Luce Line State Trail
Join us for the Tomassoni Tour - Cycle for ALS, on the beautiful Mesabi Trail in northern Minnesota.
Alexandria, MN is home to miles of bike trails, paved and dirt!
Fergus Falls is the gateway to the scenic Central Lakes State Trail.
Love the Life in Luverne, Minnesota and take a spin on the Loop Trail around town and into Blue Mounds State Park

Keep up with the latest MN Trails news and events in our newsletter

About me

I’m Jan, the publisher of Minnesota Trails Magazine. I’m looking for that one trail, the next ride, a new discovery and other reasons never to sit still in Minnesota.

Save

Visit our trail-friendly sponsor!
Red Wing- One of the most unique and charming places to visit along the Mississippi River!

More stories:

Save the Date for These 2023 Bike Rides

Road, trail, gravel, you name it. Take a look at our list of 2023 bike rides and mark your calendars!

It’s Just What We Do Now: Duluth to Ontario by Bike

“We weren’t experts and we weren’t athletes, but this trip wasn’t out of our wheelhouse, bad knees and all.”

Going the Distance on Four Wheels

The Lake Wobegon and Central Lakes Trail system is known for being a destination for walkers, bikers, runners and inline skaters, but the long, flat trail is beginning to gain the attention of endurance skateboarders.

Trail Pairings: Stillwater

The iconic 1931 Stillwater Lift Bridge has been reimagined as a bike and pedestrian crossing. Imagine pairing a ride on the new loop trail with a visit to two Stillwater breweries.

Minnesota’s Waterfall Wonderland

Think waterfalls in Minnesota and the most famous ones come to mind easily: Minnehaha Falls, the double drop of Minneopa Creek, perhaps even the hidden falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

Park the Car and Take the Bike in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA is at the heart of the Cedar Valley Trails system, a 125-mile network, which radiates out and connects communities as far as 60 miles away.

City of Chatfield joins Root River Trail Towns

The Root River Trail Towns group was founded in 1988 to promote Minnesota’s famous Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail. The community of Chatfield is the latest member of this trail alliance.

August 2022 Summer Fun Walks with the NSTT

 The NorthStar Trail Travelers (NSTT) are heading to the Bemidji area in August and you’re invited.

Trail Pairings: A Visit to Brainerd

Brainerd has been the launching point of some great day trips over the years, but this time we decided to stay the whole weekend and take a closer look.

Trail Pairings: A Visit to Thief River Falls

We spent a weekend biking and exploring northwestern Minnesota, where, as they say, two rivers meet.

Changing Seasons at Glacial Lakes State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park preserves a landscape formed by glaciers, like no other in Minnesota.

Visit our trail-friendly sponsor!
Saint Cloud, MN is your vacation destination if you're into the outdoors!

Please join our newsletter mailing list!

It’s your source for sneak previews of the next print issue, new trails to explore, upcoming events and the latest blog posts. We promise to keep it brief, entertaining and relevant and you can unsubscribe anytime. We will not share your info with anyone.

* indicates required