Cycling the Root River Trail in SE Minnesota
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- We found this awesome Rail-Trail in the Driftless area of southeat Minnesota. What an unexpected treat! The Root River Valley is very scenic with some of the cutest little towns in Minnesota. So, come on along with me as I "Scoot the Root!"
And I am smiling again seeing you on the trail. Thank you for biking.
More to come! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Paul, your legend status continues...I really enjoy how you provide an explanation of the pretty American towns and the geological history of the region. There is some real beautiful country out there. Thanks mate!
Wow, thanks. I really appreciate it. I want to see more of it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
What a great video and ride! Really enjoyed your talk about this trail, surrounding area and the biology of it all. Paul, Thanks so much for all your work sharing these with us!!!
Thanks again for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root River is a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Gosh we sure love watching your videos!!! This one looks very special and we want to do it soon. We loved the Tunnel Hill trail after you recommended it. We did it the day before the recent eclipse. Please keep posting your wonderful entertaining videos and we learned so much geology here. Also we’re seniors and just finished the whole Katy trail too. We love you Paul!!!😊
Wow! The Katy trail is a great trail. That eclipse aws so cool. It went right over my house. The Root river trail was an unexpected gem that we found while researching the Paul Bunyan trail. The Root river valley has a lot of small town charm. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and Ride on!! Love you too, God Bless. 😎
On the old Milwaukee Road! Home of the donkeys! That was a nickname for the SW -2 engines that used to pull cargo and passenger trains along the line before the line itself was abandoned in 1980.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Root river is a great trail. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on! (Sorry for the slow response).
Great job narrating. I've done 2 century rides on the root river trail. This trail is perfect for those seeking their first 100 mile ride!
Totally agree! The Root River Trail is a great ride. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
I learned a lot about geology that I did not know before. Thanks for that and for another great bike touring video as well. This is unique and an interesting area.
The Root River trail was an unlikely gem that we found while scouting out the Paul Bunyan. Lots of small town charm. Sharon and I rode this one together.
Thanks for showing us another great upper Midwest railtrail.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Thank you. Having grown up in Houston, Minnesota was nice to see.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root Valley is pretty special. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
I ride this trail multiple times from Spring through the Fall. One of my favorites.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Its a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
A another great video. Love all the history and geography info given along the trail.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for the video! After seeing your video I decided to Scoot the Root myself and I linked to your video in the description of mine. I very much enjoy your videos!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I watched your Vid. Nice Job! The Root River is an awesome trail. Thanks for the link. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Paul,
Your camera work and narration are outstanding. Love your humor and clear educational content. The Rails to Trails conservancy should take notice of you and make you an ambassador and hire you for your showcase videos. I rode the OTET because of you and now need to plan this one too!
Great work. Thank you!
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it. The OTET is a great trail. The Root River is also a cool trail. If you've not rode these yet, have you considered the GAP and C&O trail from Pittsburgh to DC for a bike packing adventure? Thanks again. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
Always fun riding With you 🚲
Thanks for coming along. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Thanks for sharing your travels. I enjoyed your description of the driftless area and your story telling style! Safe travels! 👍
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on! 😎
The Paul Bunyan is great! You can loop it with the heartland trail. Great videos my man!
I've ridden on it from the Heartland Trail to Bemidji, or wherever it ended up about 9 years ago. It's impressive how much the usage of the Heartland Trail has increased since I first rode it about 25 years ago. (The last time was a couple of years ago.)
I plan on riding the Paul Bunyan soon. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Another awesome video Paul! I'm going to add this one to the list! Absolutely love how you place these trails in a geographical and historical context each time. I'm always learning something new from your work! So great that your wife got to experience it with you! Frequently these days, my wife is joining me on local rail trails with her ebike. Great to have company! I will patiently wait for the next one. Smiles, and keep rolling safe!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's good to have company to enjoy the trail with. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Another BEST video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Love the video! When you come back, ride the Harmony-Preston Trail too. My favorite section is from Preston to Harmony. Harmony is a lovely Amish town to toodle around.
That's the plan. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Thank you for providing this great piece on the Root River Trail and it has been on my bucket list for a long time. The lefse at the Norsland factory in Rushford is on par with the best homemade lefse I’ve had. Worth mentioning, although it’s extremely rare to encounter one, this part of the state has Timber Rattlesnakes. My wife’s uncle lives in Rushford and the DNR repopulated Timber Rattlesnakes on the bluff behind his home, which is near the new Rushford High School. Should anyone encounter a snake warming itself on the trail, proceed with extreme caution.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Funny you would mention it, my wife encountered a large rattlesnake close to the trail. She didn't see it until it started rattling to warn her she was getting too close. Good thing she's not afraid of snakes, but it was a good reminder to be careful. Thanks again. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
So happy you uploaded a new one. Great job
More to come! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
This trail was un-gnome to me. Looks fantastic!
Good one! Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!😎
A great trail, ridden it several times and like you , I just stumbled upon it. You really picked up your game with this video, nice work.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Wife and I are thinking of riding this this summer. We’re from northern Michigan. So we will take the car ferry across the lake and go ride this one and hopefully do another in Wisconsin while we’re at it. Love your videos man, thanks for the great info.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Sounds like a great trip. I took the ferry from Ludington to Manitowoc a long time ago. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!😎
I can't believe I am the first to like this clip. Well done, Paul. Very nice clip and trail. 😁👍
Just posted 20 minutes ago. Thanks.😎
Please keep them coming young fella !
Yeah, I was out riding.
Hey Paul. Love your travels. Great narrative skills fellow. Found your handlebars. Bought’m installed’m enjoying them! Easy on my back. Many thanks.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
I really enjoyed your video! First time I’ve seen you. Great info! Thanks! I’m going to put this trail on my list for next Summer.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Great video. Your curiosity shows in the information you presented.
Thanks. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
What a beautiful ride!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
A great ride Paul. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
I hadn't known about the Root River Trail until you told about it. I've ridden elsewhere in southern Minnesota, and maybe would have worked this trail into one of my rides if I had known. I have ridden on the Paul Bunyan Trail, which you mentioned at the beginning. I hope you get to do it sometime.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Paul Bunyan is on my list. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
You make great videos! I really like this one! Keep up the goood work!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Always happy to see that you've uploaded a new video! This looks like another one my wife and I should add to our list.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great ride. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for the great video Paul. I grew up on a bicycle in Minnesota; lots of dirt trails and exploration in the 1970's, a bit of racing and touring later. Now I'm 60, bought a Surly Bridge Club, and still feel the dirt/street freedom I had riding as a kid. Thanks for the motivation Paul.
Very cool! Sounds great. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, wit, and adventures!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Love your videos. Nice job, as always.
Thanks again! 😎
Good to see you riding & making videos,keep up the good work of informing us of all these great trails,this one is really cool! Thnx.Paul 😉👌
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Hey Paul. I see that you've traded the Miyata bike in for a SURLY. I've really enjoyed watching your collection of videos. I found your videos after a colleague pointed out that I showed up (briefly) in one of them, titled TransAmerica Bike Trail Tour "The Dreaded Middle Third". I watched your video about riding across Kansas and said, "Oh yeah, I remember meting up with that guy somewhere in Kansas. I remember he was a Biology teacher and seemed to be enjoying himself." It's great to see that you're still enjoying your rides. Your videos, while always good, have definitely improved over the years. In '24 I'll be doing another ride, Seattle to Washington D.C., incorporating as many Rails-to-Trails that I can. Would be great to cross your path again ;-)
Hey John, good to hear from you. I remember, we kind of "leap frogged' for a few days in Kansas. But you always passed me up. LOL!! I switched to a Disc Trucker because I like the fatter tires and the disk brakes. In the summer of '24 I hope to ride the western portion of the TransAm from Astoria to Pueblo. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I hope to see you again down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Fantastic trail system !
It really is! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
I loved the video,Ironically I have been doing the root river trail for the last 15 yrs. AS a matter of fact Saturday, April 13 ,2024 I did Houston to Rushford. and back. After the ride took a shower by the owl center.The shower is cleaner than one in your house.FREE,Across the street is a small coffee shop with the Best hot white mocha and chocolate chip cookie.Ocasionaly during the week the locals stop and you can enjoy the local chatter, or in my case Dad jokes.I have also done the ride from Houston to Fountain and back. The next day my legs were like spagetti. Also Preston to harmony, Redwing to cannon falls.Another trail which is close is laCrosse.Wi. to Elroy. KEEP ON BIKING🚴♀
I love that part of the country. The little towns are so cool. It's like stepping back in time. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Really nicely done, from the photography to the narration. I think you made a great choice riding this trail. If you're ever back in MN you might want to check out the Mesabi Trail. It's up north so the scenery is totally different. Just be wary of mosquitos!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Mesabi trail? Sounds interesting. Up near the Boundary Waters. I heard the mosquito is the Minnesota state bird. LOL! Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Always puts a smile on my face, and not a little bit of inspiration to get out on my bike.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Wonderful beauty you capture as well as an interesting explanation of the Root River Valley region.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Hi Paul. Thanks for sharing this great rail trail. Again, another great video! Take care.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Always great biking tours!
Excellent addition of drone footage too!
Fun to travel and see bicycle path scenery!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Another good one Paul.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Actually, historic fact that branch section down to Harmony used to continue east through Canton, Mabel and over to Caledonia. That section of track was abandoned by the Milwaukee Road, about five years before the other section of Railroad was abandoned. Also note before you get to County Road 8 in fountain, the trail veers sharply to the left which is not on the old railroad grade. The old railroad grade crossed County Road 6 and curved right into downtown fountain.
Thanks again. I really appreciate it!
It's one of my favs too!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root River is an awesome trail. I'm glad I found it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on! (Sorry for the slow response).
Awesome video!!! Thanks for putting in all the work to create it, appreciate it. Very well done!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Another great video!! Thanks for the vicarious vacation!!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Love your rides and narration, Paul. Another excellent adventure that I'm putting on my list! Thanks!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Another great video!!! Thanks Paul! I really enjoy your work.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Always a smile when one of your videos shows on my notifications 😊
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. 😎
Check out the Mesabi trail up in the Iron Range of Minnesota. 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely Mn. Lots of windy, curvy and hilly. Goes through 28 d mining towns with a lot of history. Lots of blueish Pit lakes as well.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. 2nd vote for Mesabi trail. Sounds very interesting. How are the mosquitoes this time of year? You don't have to answer, 'cause I already know. LOL! Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks Paul, always look forward to seeing your rides. Cheers Rob
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Many fond memories of that trail, did sections from Lanesboro with family long before the training wheels were off
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Great Trail!!!!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! The Root River is a great trail. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Great video! I really appreciate that you go into the history of the trail and region. The drone footage is fantastic too. I just rode this trail a few weeks back and it's one of my favorites!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root Valley is pretty nice. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Yet another v good cycle vid paul! I do like your use of maps and many camera angles on your trips. Always do look forward to your new vids. Great work!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
What a cool trail, Paul! One of these days, my girlfriend and I are going to have to make a list of Paul's trail visits and go check them out hahaha Great video!!
Thanks Shawn. I hope to see you on the trail. 😎✌
@@paulsuchecki3985 I'm sure we will. I'm going to try to ride more this winter, something I never do but I've geared up now!
Great tour. You meet the qualifications to be considered a modern-day nomad. An elder of the cycling tribe with collective experiential knowledge to share. No need for a route finder smart phone app telling every corner or turn to take mounted in your cockpit. You explore and study the landscape, You interact with the communities you pass through and camp in, you are asking the "What if " questions observing the geological and ecological relationship. You blend into the landscape not setting yourself apart by your clothing. You are not racing to "the finish line" in your cycle racing kit, counting grams of gear. You are not bragging about your latest lightweight gear that an influencer on social media told you that you needed. Blending in not sticking out. Refreshing vlog.
I think you get me. Dude, you made my day. Thanks. 😊
Great video as usual thanks. Now I'm going to ride my bike..
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Have a great ride. Stay safe and ride on!
thanks Paul, bicycle heaven out there, great stuff
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
I’ll have to try this one. I’ve been looking for trails to ride for overnighter in Minnesota. Looks like fun.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
We, too, truly enjoyed the Root River when we rode in September.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Good job on info and filming
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
“If you can catch my drift…” 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!😎✌
Always a good day when Paul uploads a new video!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Great video/ride thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
There's so many great trails to ride great video Paul
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. It's a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
I enjoy your travelogs tremendously, its such a pity you cant do more. Time is a thing, why cant we do three things at a time?, or four. In life we have to make terribly difficult choices and I'm glad you made the time to make this, difficult choice. God Bless you and our family.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on! God Bless you too!
good stuff!
Thanks!
We did the trail about 10 years ago. Stayed in Lanesboro and did out and back trips over a few days.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root River is a great trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Nice job. Keep up the good work 🚴🚴🚴
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!😎
Thanks for another great video Paul.
If you were to ride west to east across the USA which route would you take?
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Check out Adventure Cycling Association. There are several good cross country routes. I like the TransAmerica route. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Thank you SIR
Most welcome. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks so much, glad you are back in the saddle!
Have you considered the Mesabi Trail in Northern Mn?
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I haven't heard of that one, but now I'll have to add it to my list along with the Paul Bunyan. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
A bmx bar would give you a place to tie/mount things to. I like'em.
Good idea. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
As always, I love these, and as far as I’m concerned, you’re the only cyclist in the world today who matters, other than me…
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!
This was one of the trails I wanted to ride last summer but got sidetracked on my trip and didn’t get to ride there. I was attracted because it’s near I-90 and has campgrounds close to the trail. I don’t remember but I think there is a pie shop close to the trail that the owner discovered while riding the trail and the former owner was selling.
I’ll try much harder to ride there in 2024
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Root Valley is pretty nice. Pie in Whalen. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Awesome \m/
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!!
There are sections near Houston and near Harmony that are not on the old Railroad grade because of stubborn landowners refused to let the DNR convert the old railroad grade into a trail. That unfortunately happens in places.
Thanks again.
We’re getting into a cold and wet winter here, so watching your adventures gives even more itchy feet than usual!
Could I ask how you’re attaching your 360 camera to get shots like those at 10:50?
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. The Insta360 camera is mounted on a selfie stick. At first I have it over my shoulder behind my head, then I bring it forward in front of me. In the editing process motion is added. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks Paul!
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
How did you arrange transportation with vehicles? Is there a shuttle service available? Two cars?
Thanks for watching. My wife and I drove 2 vehicles. We stayed in Petersen and self-shuttled. Stay safe and ride on!
Very nice. What kind of tires you ride when touring?
I'm riding on Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 38mm. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!
Looks like a great trail! Were you able to take an Amtrak there, or did you and your wife drive there?
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I think the nearest Amtrak station is in Rochester. My wife and I drove 2 vehicles from home. That way we were able to self shuttle. Stay safe and ride on!
Thanks for the geography (topography?) lessons! I'm always curious how areas and features were formed when driving through a place - often even close to home. It's hard to find that information if you're not in a state or national park of some sort.
You bet! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
In a way it is too bad that the trail does not continue along the old Railroad grade from fountain West all the way to Spring Valley.
We need more rail trails.
Is there are any Amtrak stations nearby? Would be nice to stop and ride the trail.
The nearest Amtrak stations I could find were Rochester, Winona or LaCrosse, Wisc. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!
What kind of tires are on that cool touring bike?
I'm riding on Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 38mm. Thanks for watching. Stay safe and ride on!
Beautiful rides.
What handlebar is that?
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Here's a link to my handlebars. Wald 1066 Handlebars amzn.to/3fLRHVH Stay safe and ride on!
Im in SE Wisconsin and i need to find sone warmer trails. What best winter trail.?, what states ??? .
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. I heard that Florida is the place to be in February. Lots of rail trails. Hope to see you down the road. Stay safe and ride on!!
Did you do Elroy Sparta while you were in the region?
I have in the past. It's another great trail. It's part of this ride I did last year. czcams.com/video/CX1MVKDuBzo/video.html Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Paul is a bicycle rail trail historian.
Thanks. Actually my Master's is in Forest Ecology. Ride on!!
Nice geological education...as usual.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. Stay safe and ride on!
Shame they put asphalt down. Why? I seriously don’t understand why they put asphalt down on already graded rail grades.
Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it! Sorry about the slow response. I know what you mean. Once the asphalt crumbles (tree roots are the worst) it makes for a rough ride, and a more expensive fix. I'm ok with a good crushed gravel trail. Hope to see you down the trail. Stay safe and ride on!!
What? No pie in Whalen?
We got there late and the guy in front of me got the last slice of coconut cream. So I went with a root beer float instead. 😎
@ 3:30 you are not biking across an original railroad bridge because that is not where the original railroad grade was.
I think that whole section is not old rail road. adapt and overcome! LOL.