Bicyclists to take part in activities in city

A weeklong bicycle tour around the state will make a stop in Albert Lea next week.

The 2015 Tour of Minnesota, formerly the Klobuchar Ride, will start in Chaska June 12 and is expected to have 120 riders.

The bicyclists will travel from Chaska on Friday to Faribault and Austin on Saturday and Sunday, before arriving in Albert Lea next Monday.

The riders are slated to take a day off in Albert Lea next Tuesday before they head to Owatonna June 17, Northfield June 18 and then back to Chaska June 19.

The whole tour is expected to be about 326 miles.

The riders will have dinner Monday evening at the Freeborn County Historical Museum and camp at Frank Hall Park that night.

On Tuesday, riders will have the chance to explore Albert Lea, along with playing pickle ball at Frank Hall Park and going kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding at the Community Boat House. That evening they are slated for a ride on the Pelican Breeze II.

On Wednesday morning, bicyclists will have breakfast at the Albert Lea American Legion.

Started in 1974 as the Jaunt with Jim Klobuchar, the ride has traveled to every corner of the state. In 2014, the tour went among the windmill farms and rolling plains of southwestern Minnesota.

Bob Lincoln, ride director, said the tour this year will be open to families.

“We hope that including families will bring new riders and a new energy to an already very energetic group of riders,” Lincoln said. “How many people do you know ride their bikes 325 miles while on vacation?”