2017 Routes:
- Depart from Winona Middle School
- Use Homer Road and then Highway 43 south from Winona
Forget about life's little ups and downs.
With four route options, RIDE THE RIDGES features something for everyone. And yes - each route provides you with at least one opportunity to put things in perspective--that is, climb approximately 700 vertical feet to enjoy the breathtaking vista that is the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Explorer Zebulon Pike, when he took in the view from Sugarloaf Mountain in Winona was said to exclaim that a person might be lucky to take in such a beautiful view but 2 or 3 times in their life. Well, we have good news... If you tackle the century ride, you'll get to take in those bluff-top views five times!
2017 General Information
RIDER CHECK-IN: Winona Middle School,1570 Homer Road, Winona, Minnesota
Event day registration - begins at 6:45 am
Pre-registration packet pickup - begins at 6:45 am
All routes start and end at the Winona Middle School and travel on hard surface roads.
Open start between 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Century riders are encouraged to start before 7:30 am
Free showers at Middle School - bring a towel.
2017 Rest Stops
Location:
Jeff Lee & Maria Doria - Witoka (Outbound)
Philipps Bus Service - Witoka (Inbound):
Museum Depot - Rushford:
Jeff & Eileen Oliver - New Hartford:
Winona County Road 1 Overlook - La Crescent:
Joyce Witt Farm, County Road 125 - New Hartford:
Hours:
7:30 am to 10:00 am (23, 44, 67 & Century)
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (44, 67 & Century)
8:15 am to 11:30 am (Century)
8:30 am to 12:30 noon (Century)
8:00 am to 2:00 pm (67 & Century)
8:45 am to 2:30 pm (67 & Century)
8:15 am to 4:00 pm (44, 67 & Century)
2017 Route Maps
Full color maps and easy-to-read cue sheets will be provided in registration packets. Maps and signage for each route are color coded as follows:
- Short Route = Green
-
Medium Route = Yellow
- Long Route = Red
- Century Route = Blue
Routes are subject to change based on road construction, repairs, and unexpected events.
Riders will be notified if changes become necessary.
Composite Route Map - 2017
Safety tips from the Minnesota Department of Transportation:
- Follow the law - obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Be predictable - maintain a straight course.
- Communicate your intent - look, yield to traffic and signal before turning or changing lanes.
- Use extreme caution near commercial vehicles
- Pass only on the left.
- See and be seen - wear bright colors, reflective gear and use head and tail lights.
- Wear a helmet.
- Stick to roads and trails - sidewalk riding puts you at risk for crashes at driveways and intersections.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Avoid distracted bicycling - put away mobile devices and headphones.