The Northfield Bike Scene

Biking Culture at Carleton

You can tell within just a few seconds of visiting Carleton that this is a bike-forward campus. They’re everywhere. Students can be found cycling all over, bike racks in front of every academic building are full, and some of our dorms’ exteriors are even covered with them. I had gone on a few bike rides in my life before coming to Carleton, but after 3 years here, I consider myself a capital-C Cyclist. Whether you’ve never sat on a bike, or are crushing over 100 miles each week, the Northfield scene has something for you. To prove it, I decided to highlight 3 of my favorite rides at 3 different skill levels.

Beginner: Martha’s Eats and Treats (10 miles)

Martha’s bakery is a gem in the Northfield area, and all that stands between Carleton students and their delicious baked goods is a 5 mile bike ride. Most of the ride is along a 3 mile stretch of the Mill Towns State Trail which connects Northfield and our next-door neighbor Dundas. It’s built right along the Cannon River and runs through some beautiful wooded areas. Once you get to Dundas, Martha’s is hard to miss along their Mainstreet. All the baked goods are made in house from scratch, and the coffee is great too. You might need to get there early, though, because they can run out of their best sellers pretty quickly. Whether you’re in it for the biking or the baked goods, it’s hard to go wrong with this ride!

Intermediate: Lake Byllesby (25 Miles)

Lake Byllesby is one of the area’s best kept secrets. The beach here has nice bathrooms, a beautiful swimming area, and the towns of Randolph and Cannon Falls are both a bikeable distance away. This spot is perfect for a day trip with friends. Some Carls never go a single time in their 4 years here, while those in the know may visit weekly when the weather is nice. Plus, Cannon Falls’ bike path network begins here. That means those craving a longer ride on paved trails have something to look forward to. The initial ride is mostly along gravel roads, but the views are nice and the paths are not very steep. For intermediate riders or people trying to get into gravel riding, I cannot recommend this route enough!

Advanced: Kenyon MN (45 Miles)

The ride to Kenyon takes you through the heart of the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Kenyon itself is a small community, but it has a beautiful downtown and some nice spots to sit along the Zumbro River. The ride is over 20 miles each way, but it’s the elevation that really makes it tough. It can be a slog if you aren’t prepared. The hills make for great views, but there’s no shame in walking some of them! The ride features over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but a lot of it comes all at once when you’re just getting out of the Nerstrand Big Woods. For more advanced riders, this lengthy ride with steep trails is both challenging and beautiful.

Chance (he/him) is a Religion and Classics double major from Hardwick, MN. When he’s not working in admissions, he can be found in the Office of the Chaplain working as a Chaplain’s Associate or doing research with Carleton Religion faculty. He’s the vice-commodore of the Carleton Sailing Club (despite being from the only county in Minnesota that doesn’t have a lake). He can regularly be found biking around on local trails or gravel roads. He also knows all the best spots in town for squirrel-watching or finding dogs to pet.