Loop the Lake Festival cancelled for 2020
The Loop the Lake Festival bicycle event has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Bike Bemidji: Loop the Lake Festival steering committee was unanimous during a virtual meeting on March 25. The committee hopes that our community will feel some sense of normalcy by the planned date of the event, June 20, but felt it was too difficult to plan the event during these difficult, uncertain times. The family friendly event relies heavily on local partners, sponsors, and volunteers; many of whom are currently closed, have limited mobility and/or operating with limited employees or staff.
The committee wants to encourage our community to continue to engage in physical activity on a regular basis, while practicing social distancing. One upcoming opportunity is 30 DAYS OF BIKING (https://30daysofbiking.com/) that occurs in April. It is a challenge, with participants creating their own rules, to get on a bicycle every day in April whether there is rain, sleet, snow or sunshine no matter how far. We will be announcing other active events on our website, www.bikebemidji.com.
We thank our registrants, volunteers and sponsors for your commitment to this community event. We will be in touch in the near future.
The Loop the Lake Festival bicycle event has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Bike Bemidji: Loop the Lake Festival steering committee was unanimous during a virtual meeting on March 25. The committee hopes that our community will feel some sense of normalcy by the planned date of the event, June 20, but felt it was too difficult to plan the event during these difficult, uncertain times. The family friendly event relies heavily on local partners, sponsors, and volunteers; many of whom are currently closed, have limited mobility and/or operating with limited employees or staff.
The committee wants to encourage our community to continue to engage in physical activity on a regular basis, while practicing social distancing. One upcoming opportunity is 30 DAYS OF BIKING (https://30daysofbiking.com/) that occurs in April. It is a challenge, with participants creating their own rules, to get on a bicycle every day in April whether there is rain, sleet, snow or sunshine no matter how far. We will be announcing other active events on our website, www.bikebemidji.com.
We thank our registrants, volunteers and sponsors for your commitment to this community event. We will be in touch in the near future.
2019 Loop the Lake Festival Steering Committee
Front row: Libby Underhill, Angie Gora, Jamie Anderson, Diane Pittman
Middle row: Carla Weeks, Roxy Wallner
Back row: Donna Palivec, John Tibstra, Muriel Gilman, Shannon Norman, Sue Olin, Pete Harrison
Not pictured: Mark Morrissey
Festival Details
All skill levels can enjoy this bike ride around Lake Bemidji!
It is not a race but rather a festive event. Safety is a high priority. Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. Reflective bike stickers will also be available while supplies last. Course Map
17-mile loop (Download a PDF of the map)
Route begins at The Sanford Center west parking lot, skirts the beautiful Lake Bemidji shoreline via the Westside Trail, Birchmont Dr., Birchmont Beach Rd into Lake Bemidji State Park, onto the Paul Bunyan Trail back to The Sanford Center. Add to the enjoyment of the ride by stopping at stations along the way featuring food, music, and activities. 2019 Rest Stop Menus: (numbers correspond to the ones on the map below) 1. Sanford Center (Start) - 3. Outdoor Program Center at Diamond Point - Starbucks coffee Culligan water Chocolate milk Bananas Culligan water Big Apple bagels and 5. Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge - Mini-muffins Coffee Bananas Juice Culligan water Banana Bread Muffins 6. Lake Bemidji State Park - Coffee Potato chips Culligan water Muffins Chocolate milk Candies - dog shaped Cheese Cookies Small sandwiches Watermelon Hot dogs - buns and gluten free buns Bananas 7. Whitetail Crossing on Paul Bunyan Trail - Culligan water Cookies Bananas 9. Sanford Center (Finish) - Culligan water Apples Pulled pork on buns Carrots Pizza Cookies - Raphael's Potato chips Cookies - Harmony (gluten-free) Bananas 
Want to ride longer than 17 miles? You got it! Download an alternative map to extend your biking fun.
Delay and Cancel Decisions
Even though our steering committee has envisioned a beautiful summer day with light winds, sunshine and blue skies, we may not get what we want! So, we will make any necessary decision to DELAY or CANCEL the Bike Bemidji Loop the Lake Festival based on the National Weather Service (NOAA). DELAY: rolling start will be delayed up to 2 hours if there is rain but the radar shows clearing within an hour or two, or if there is Watch or Warning that will expire. CANCEL: If the miserable weather is “socked in” for the weekend we will cancel the event for this year. |
2021 Cost**
INDIVIDUAL Thru May 31st - June 1-17 - DUAL Thru May 31st - June 1-17 - 4-SOME Thru May 31st - June 1-17 - 
Be part of this cool community event by volunteering your time.
Bike Rentals
Northern Cycle: 218-751-BIKE (2453)
2019 Official Poster
2019 Block Party
Bemidji Brewing Company once again hosted a Block Party after the festival on June 15th.
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