Virtual Loop the Lake Festival for 2021
Celebrate biking in Bemidji by participating in the 2021 virtual Loop the Lake Festival!
The festival is back for its seventh year, after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suggested route for this virtual event will be on roads and the scenic Paul Bunyan Trail on the east side of Lake Bemidji. It is a great route for beginners as well as families. No traffic lanes will be closed for this 13-mile ride. For more details about the route see the map at www.plotaroute.com/route/1488962?units=miles. Participants are welcome to choose another route or make additions to this route and are encouraged to ride between June 17-22, when the suggested route will be signed.
Registration is free and can be done at this registration link. The first 500 people who register can pick-up a reflective wrist/leg band at several local businesses. These locations will be sent to registrants. And, registrants will be entered into a drawing for a free 2022 registration, and a chance to win Loop the Lake swag! The deadline to register is June 15.
Bike Bemidji was created to promote outdoor physical activity, health, and clean air; encourage a bicycle-centered culture; showcase our community to visitors; provide a festive atmosphere that is family friendly; and contribute to the local economy.
Celebrate biking in Bemidji by participating in the 2021 virtual Loop the Lake Festival!
The festival is back for its seventh year, after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suggested route for this virtual event will be on roads and the scenic Paul Bunyan Trail on the east side of Lake Bemidji. It is a great route for beginners as well as families. No traffic lanes will be closed for this 13-mile ride. For more details about the route see the map at www.plotaroute.com/route/1488962?units=miles. Participants are welcome to choose another route or make additions to this route and are encouraged to ride between June 17-22, when the suggested route will be signed.
Registration is free and can be done at this registration link. The first 500 people who register can pick-up a reflective wrist/leg band at several local businesses. These locations will be sent to registrants. And, registrants will be entered into a drawing for a free 2022 registration, and a chance to win Loop the Lake swag! The deadline to register is June 15.
Bike Bemidji was created to promote outdoor physical activity, health, and clean air; encourage a bicycle-centered culture; showcase our community to visitors; provide a festive atmosphere that is family friendly; and contribute to the local economy.
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The Loop the Lake Festival Steering Committee wants to encourage our community to continue to engage in physical activity on a regular basis, while practicing social distancing. The League of American Cyclists is promoting May as Bicycle Month. Check out their website for more information: https://bikeleague.org/bikemonth.
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 announcing other active events on our website, www.bikebemidji.com.
We thank our registrants, volunteers and sponsors for your commitment to this community event.
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. |
Be part of this cool community event by volunteering your time.
Bike Rentals
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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