Cuyuna Lakes State Trail offering 30+ miles of mountain biking

One of the best things to hit mountain biking in the Midwest is about to unleash itself:

The opening of a network of mountain bike trails at Cuyuna Lakes State Trail.

The "official" opening is June 10-12 with the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival: complete with fireworks, a night ride, time trial, cross country race and a BBQ on Saturday evening. Hans Rey (one of the pioneers of mountain biking and a trials rider) will be there to help kick off the opening of the trail.

Judging by the itinerary, the weekend looks like it will be super fun. Click on the link to view the itinerary of Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival via the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Click on this link to more information about the mountain bike festival via the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series web page.

And now that I have a little one, I'm pretty excited that the weekend is also geared as a family-friendly event, encouraging moms and dads to bring their bike trailers and participate in the bike parade, as well as building in some time for a kids race (LOVE the kids race at mountain bike events - it's so fun to watch!)

Click on the link for information about the network of mountain bike trails surrounding the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail via the Facebook page, which is also providing continuous updates about the festival and trail work.

If you're looking for a nice place to sleep (and camping isn't your thing), Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge (billed as one of the best Minnesota Lake Resorts) offers very nice family friendly accommodations.

I received a press release about the festival with more information:

Hans "No Way" Rey Will Attend the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail Grand Opening

On June 10 through the12th, Hans Rey will be visiting and riding the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail Grand Opening in Crosby, Minnesota! The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be cutting the ribbon for the Grand Opening of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Bike Trail Network.  The world trials champion and extreme rider Hans "No Way" Rey will ride the stunning new 30-mile mountain bike trail.

Abandoned by mining companies more than 20 years ago, the Cuyuna State Recreation Area offers the finest mountain biking within the Midwest. It is home to astonishing mountain bike single-track trails.  Beginner, intermediate, and expert trails follow along the sides of 200-foot slag piles overlooking 500-foot deep crystal clear mine pools.

Hans Rey is not only a multiple Trials National and World Champion, he is one of the pioneers of Trials and Extreme Mountain Biking. Hans earned recognition with his jump over a car on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, his volcano dance in Hawaii, his under water bungee jump, and his Machu Picchu Adventure. He was also a part of the 1996 Olympic Games by performing in the Extreme Sports Act in front of 3.5 billion viewers in the Olympic Closing Ceremonies. Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge is hosting Hans Rey for the event, www.ruttgers.com.  Minnesota resort, Ruttger’s is the official lodging sponsor of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival.