Headwaters 100 cyclists who chose the 75- or 100-mile route had a tour through Itasca State Park. A fall color cruise enticed 312 riders to the Heartland Lakes Area on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The Headwaters 100 bike ride marked its 43rd anniversary, drawing bicyclists from Minnesota, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wisconsin..
It’s hosted by the Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club.
Participants could choose between 100-, 75- and 45-mile routes through the Northwoods.
“Notably, over 200 of our riders were over 50 years old, with our oldest participant being an impressive 86,” said Itascatur member and Heartland 100 director Richard Jarrett. Headwaters 100 riders pedal into the south entrance of Itasca State Park where a rest stop and leisurely stroll through the park awaits. “The weather was absolutely perfect, reaching a warm 85 degrees by 3 p.m.,” he said. “We served up to 60 pounds of delicious roasted potatoes, gallons of hearty wild rice soup and plenty of cookies and peanut butter sandwiches. With the heat, cold water was definitely the refreshing choice of the day.”
Mike Wilke from Stillwater has been riding in the Headwaters 100 since 1995. He tries to do the "century,” or 100 miles.
“There’s been a few years where there’s been rain or snow and things. This was back in the late ‘90s,” he said. “This is the hottest one ever. The whole thing that’s so nice about this is there’s no wind. A lot of times you pray for those north […]
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