10 THE LOWDOWN
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AUGUST 2022
2nd annual Bridge The Valley Bike Rally anticipates 50% increase in riders
CONTRIBUTED
The Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club’s motto this year is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” One of those opportunities is set for Sunday, Aug. 14. The Bridge the Valley Bike Rally will begin and end right on Chestnut Plaza; five different routes will be featured around the beautiful St. Croix Valley countryside. There will be fun for everyone, whether it be a short family ride, challenging longer rides or a secluded gravel ride. Not only will this ride be healthy and fun for all, 100% of the profits from the ride will support local nonprofits and projects as well as supplement grants for projects with worldwide impact. A complete list of projects is available upon request.
BY ELLA ROBERTS PRESS INTERN
The Bridge the Valley Bike Rally will begin and end right on Chestnut Plaza; five different routes will be featured around the beautiful St. Croix Valley countryside. There will be fun for everyone, whether it be a short family ride, challenging longer rides or a secluded gravel ride. Not only will this ride be healthy and fun for all, 100% of the profits from the ride will support local nonprofits and projects as well as supplement grants for projects with worldwide impact. A complete list of projects is available upon request. 2nd annual Bridge The Valley Bike Rally anticipates 50% increase in riders After its debut last year, Sunset Valley Rotary’s Bridge the Valley Bike Rally fundraiser is coming back this year, Aug. 14 in Stillwater. After last year’s successful turnout, Rotary members decided the fundraiser should become an annual event. Stillwater Sunrise Rotary President Rick Heidick said the St. Croix Valley is the perfect place to put on an event like this owing to the trails systems, county roads, spectacular views the St. Croix Valley has to offer and the many shops and restaurants downtown. Riders can choose from five route options: 10-, 25-, 45- and 70-mile rides as well as a 75-mile Gravel Challenge. There are rides for all skill levels, and each route offers landscape views. All rides start and finish at Chestnut Plaza, immediately west of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. The event Support Hub is located just north of the bridge in North Lowell Park. Event information, day-of registration and a fenced and monitored bike corral will be available. All roads and trails are blacktopped, with the exception of the Gravel Challenge ride. Riders can select just one loop from the progressively more challenging options or combine several to fit their age, ability and interest. All rides will be accessible on the innovative “Ride With GPS” app to help navigate the routes. Heidick expects about a 50% increase in riders compared to last year, so organizers plan to make a few improvements to enhance riders’ experiences. This year, there will be an increased number of ride support and rest stops and a redesign of the 45-mile route. There also will be more entertainment options for riders after they complete their rides. After riders complete their routes, they can expect a slice of watermelon
and a free root beer or Lift Bridge beer. There will also be a celebration in Lowell Park for riders to enjoy not only live music but food vendors, a beer tent, event tents and more. Downtown Stillwater also has many shops and restaurants that riders may visit. There will be a bike corral where riders can secure their bikes after the race and go enjoy the festivities. All proceeds from Bridge the Valley Bike Rally will go to supporting projects like STRIVE, a mentorship program for students at Stillwater High School with scholarships; The St. Croix Resource Center, a drop-in center serving homeless youth; the “End Polio Now” campaign and clean water projects in Nicaragua and Kenya; and many other programs. The more successful the event, the more financial assistance the Rotary can provide. For more information on the event, visit https://sunrotary.org/page/ bridge-the-valley-bike-rally-homepage-2022
IF YOU GO Registration Adult: $40, 19 years and older Youth: $30, 6 to 18 years Family: $90, up to 2 adults & 5 total riders 5 years and under are free Register online in advance at www. bikereg.com/bridge-the-valley. It’s highly recommended that you register online to simplify your day. Registration is also available on the day of the event. Registration/checkin closes at 10 a.m. Location Chestnut Plaza in Stillwater located just west of the approach to the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. All routes start and finish there. Start time 7 to 10 a.m. Start times are dependent on the course length you choose. You can go at your own pace.
DESCRIPTION OF ROUTES • 10-mile ride (10.6 miles, 483 ft total climb, two rest stops) Ride creekside, lakeside and riverside Check in / start 9-10 a.m. 25-mile ride (26.1 miles, 828 ft total climb, three rest stops) Link rail trails, bike trails and loop trails Check in / start 8:30-10 a.m. • 45-mile ride (44.4 miles, 1,631 ft total climb, three rest stops, one water stop) Explore Wisconsin’s waterfowl areas beyond the St. Croix River Loop Trail Check in / start 8-9 a.m.
• 70-mile ride (70 miles, 2,961 ft total climb, three rest stops, one water stop) Tour small river towns via rolling Minnesota and Wisconsin rural countryside Check in / start 7-8 a.m. • 75-mile GRAVEL Challenge (73.5 miles, 3,355 ft total climb, three rest stops, two water stops) Experience an epic dual-state social tour with bragging spurts Check in / start 7-8 a.m. For more details on each of the routes, visit https://sunrotary.org/ Page/btv-2022-route
