Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Race Finds New Home in the St. Croix River Valley

The Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Race is leaving Lakeville and coming to the St. Croix River Valley with a completely retooled event in the works for next spring.

After 13 years in the south metro, bike ride officials announced Tuesday that they are ready for a change of scenery.

The ride will take place April 28 on a new course winding through the river valley’s communities of Scandia, Stillwater, Afton, Lake Elmo, Marine on the St Croix and Oak Park Heights.

MPR calls the ride the “annual rite of spring for bicyclists in Minnesota and nearby states.” It started in Minneapolis 1967 and then moved to Buffalo, .

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"Our riders deserve to explore new and fabulous cycling routes," Ride Director Jon Ridge told the Pioneer Press. "When we began looking, we could think of no finer location than the scenic St. Croix River Valley."

Riders can expect a completely retooled ride for 2013, ride officials wrote in this news release, but will continue to have routes for all cyclists—beginners, families, middle distance riders and 100-mile Ironmen and Ironwomen.

“We remain committed to getting everyone out on their bike, and encouraging the next generation of riders, Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Race’s announcement reads. “We have our work cut out for us in the coming months, but after 46 years of running cycling events, we are positive that we are going to take this ride to the next level of awesome.”

Because of the new routes, the Minnesota Gran Fondo—a timed event—is on hold for 2013.

Ride officials will be rolling out more details about the routes soon.

“For now we want you to dream of the next cycling season, train for a great spring ride and help us get the word out,” the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Race news release says. “Make sure all your cycling buddies know; let anyone who is just getting into (or back into) cycling know—that the Minnesota season-opener bike ride is getting retooled for 2013, and coming back stronger and better than ever!”

You can check out the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Race’s developing communities on Facebook and Twitter for updates.