Cycling the Driftless Region | PART 1: THE ROOT RIVER TRAIL

The Driftless Region is an area along the upper Mississippi River, perfect for bicycle touring, and the focus of this new series. Going solo this time, I head to Minnesota to ride the Root River Trail, one of the prettiest Rail Trails in the U.S. Along the way I discover the small towns, wooded river valleys, and beautiful farmland that make this region one of the most scenic in the entire country. Since Julianna isn’t with me this time, perhaps you could join me? I could definitely use the company!
Music:
Les-ly by Mini Vandals
KZbin-AudioLibrary
Over The Mountain - Mini Vandals
KZbin-AudioLibrary
Early Morning Rain - Staffan Carlen
Epidemic Sound
Mountain Air - Cody Francis
Epidemic Sound
Fire Trails - Staffan Carlen
Epidemic Sound
Fire and Bones - Biddy Sullivan
Epidemic Sound

[@jjuniper274]

Thank you, memories of my dad and I biking, camping and canoeing are flooding back. I ❤ The Root!

[@billstei]

I and my wife live here in the middle of the Driftless Region and I thank God that we have the privilege to ride the Lanesboro / Root River Trail every year (and the many excellent bike trails in Minnesota) and even though I was just riding it a few weeks ago, watching your videos brings tears to my eyes, because even though I live here and it's easy to take it for granted, I do see it for what it is, and your narration (and the music) is like listening to someone reading my mind.

[@UtahTenkara]

Thanks so much for sharing your rides! It really is inspiring and informative. Makes me want to get out and ride!

[@garrygraham6637]

Happy to find you posting some videos from the trail again. You do a great job.

[@elzabethmorgan8020]

Great to see a new adventure! Really loved your France series. Congrats on the new grandchild. Happy trails.

[@Minnesota_Matt]

Amazing videography that really captures our fair state’s beauty. I’m glad I stumbled upon this series and am looking forward to seeing the rest!

[@JustinPedersonC]

This is a great place!! Me and a buddy hit the trail this September for the first time. The views and ammount of bikers were amazing!!!

[@lindahowes5949]

Happy to see you and travel along another adventure! Beautiful, sweet little baby! Miss the “good morning babe” though. Love having drone footage in the mix and your “selfie station” selfie was awesome. 🤣 best to you both! 💜

[@marklawrence4596]

You do a great job with commentary as you ride, narrative with your editing, and videography. Much appreciated! I'm from New England and enjoyed your trip across America. What a ride! And I happened to travel through the southeast section of Minnesota in this video a few years back and it felt like I dropped back into New England. Quite a surprise. What a country!

[@Bikepacking_sa]

What a country, well presented through your experience there, Roland

[@TerrapinCyclist]

Congratulations to Julianna and you on your beautiful new grandchild

[@FollowThomas]

This is very nice trail. I need to look up where is this exactly and hopefully ride it next year. Thanks for sharing a nice trail👍

[@klasjansson5814]

As always a very nice video!

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Well, glad to see you back! Hope you can get that seat post problem resolved.

[@paulaericson7204]

Your videos are so inspiring!!!! Just can't get enough of the Roland (and Julianna) bicycling adventures. Do you ever post a link to the routes?

[@carmenraedelaney2795]

Hello again, I had a great time in 2016 riding the Root River Trails. Your video brought back many memories of the quaint towns we rode through. So many places to stop and just enjoy the view and the water ways. It was a hot time of year, and we had one day with a crazy storm. The local cities got together and decided to host a supported bike tour…we got an awesome bike jersey as part of our tour fee. As usual your narrative and music is perfect. Happy Trails…. Carmen from Fargo

[@TerrapinCyclist]

Love your post as always!

[@tybrady4598]

I just bought a used recumbent e-bike off of Facebook Marketplace. The prices are very good. I’m getting older and can no longer ride a hundred miles a day. With an e-bike, I could easily ride a hundred miles a day. I would need two oversized batteries to do this. I try to only ride on trails for safety reasons. If you’re able to recharge the batteries overnight, one could enjoy some beautiful nature and trails this way. (Some trails do not allow e-bikes.)

[@kenmcclow8963]

I had that trail on my list for last summer but things didn’t work out so I’ll try next summer. My plan was to find a campground somewhere in the middle and then ride to one end and the other over a couple days.

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Salut Roland !