Well this week I added another bike trail to the list of those ridden. Or at least I can add part of the trail to that list. The Lake Wobegon bike trail is a 46 mile trail in central Minnesota between the towns of St. Joesph and Osakis. I started in St. Joesph and biked to the edge of Freeport before turning around and riding it back.

The stretch from St. Joesph to Avon appeared to have been recently resurfaced, at least in the last couple of years, and was exceptionally smooth. I found the trail the rest of the way to be in good condition, just not as new as the first 8 miles I biked. Those first 8 miles were the most peaceful as well with no traffic noise as the trail wound it's way through the woods and along farm fields. After the town of Albany the trail begins to run along I-94 so you can see and hear the 4 lane traffic. I did see plenty of birds on my 40 mile trip, including wild turkeys, (see upper right photo), cranes, ducks, geese, and a hawk. When I finished my ride I talked with a trail monitor who was taking notes on trail usuage. They are trying to get funding to extend the trail seven miles into downtown St. Cloud. I would hope they get this funding, because the trail is being used. On a Monday morning ride I saw no less than 30 other bikers. Read more about the extension project and the trail itself here.