Riding the Cannon Bike Trail and memories
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 02:08PM
Camping near Welch circa 1995
The Cannon Valley Bike Trail runs between the small Minnesota towns of Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing. The trail, running over a former railroad bed, was dedicated in 1986 and completed in 1992. It takes less than an hour to get there from the Twin Cities.
I believe I have ridden it every year that it has been open.
The 20 mile long blacktopped path follows primarily along the beautiful Cannon River. Relatively flat (no steep grades for the railroads!), the entire route can be ridden in each direction at a moderate pace in just a couple of hours. Wildflowers, eagles, deer, tubers, and kayakers are common sightings. As are fellow bikers, skaters, and walkers.
Nearly every year, I’ve gone with friends and/or family for a weekend jaunt. Generally, we leave the car parked at the Cannon Falls trailhead and bike Saturday afternoon to Red Wing, sometimes stopping in Welch for ice cream. Several economical hotels are near the trailhead in Red Wing where we stay overnight and bike back the following morning. (A couple years when I was feeling rich, I’ve stayed at the old St James Hotel in Red Wing’s downtown.) I am usually home in time for my Sunday afternoon nap.
I do have very fond memories of these rides. When my son was young, I would tie a retractable dog leash from the seat post of my bike to the handlebars of his bike, pulling him a bit when he would get tired. (He hates it when I tell this story.) Once a horse along the trail tried to take a bite out of one of my traveling companions. Another year, we watched an entire herd of whitetails leap across the Cannon River.
The area around Welch has a number of recreational opportunities besides biking. We’ve rented tubes and kayaks for river adventures. In the winter, Welch Village Ski resort allowed us to try some steeper, longer slopes than the local ski area provided. My good buddy Cary and his boys would camp with my son and me at a now defunct campground, telling stories around a campfire and eating Spam for breakfast. It was at one of these campouts he convinced me not to take an out-of-state job that would have resulted in giving up my parenting role, saying “You’d be abandoning Brady to the wolves.” And he was probably right.
Camping near Welch circa 1995
So with the help of my new ebike, I once again rode the Cannon trail last weekend. It is not just the joy of riding that I love, but joy of the memories of small children, good friends, and youthful energy that the trail evokes.
Do you have a Cannon Valley Trail in your life?
Reader Comments (2)
If the pancakes cooked on an open fire are not partially burnt - it's ain't really camping...
Kenn,
It was a good way to turn our young sons into manly men!
Doug