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Lanesboro: Biking the Famous Root River Trail!

Program Number: 2215RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/2/2013 - 6/7/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/20/2013; 9/29/2013 - 10/4/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Lanesboro, Minnesota
Price starting at: $999.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Combine biking with theater! During the day, explore the scenic, bluff country of southeast Minnesota on a converted rail bed from 1864. Bike experts lead this ride as you discover hidden gems of rural Minnesota. Round out your days by attending performances at a renowned local professional theater. Enjoy two seminars with theater staff including a backstage exploration, and engage cast members in post-performance discussions.




Highlights

• Journey along the 60-mile trail following the Root River, hailed as one of the finest rails-to-trails in the country.
• Explore Lanesboro's rich history and culture by van with narration by a knowledgeable local docent.
• Attend two performances at a local professional theater and enjoy an opportunity to talk informally with cast members.



Activity Particulars

Must be able to bike 25 miles a day on relatively flat terrain. Quality 21-speed hybrid/cross style bikes are provided, but you may bring your own bicycle if desired.




Lanesboro

Historic Lanesboro, nestled against limestone bluffs in southeastern Minnesota, is the hub of the Root River State Trail System. Hailed as one of the finest rails-to-trails in the country, the 60-mile-long paved pathway runs along the river.
Accommodations
Lovely 19th-century style inn located on main street, directly across from the theater.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Terry Grier
Terry Grier owned and operated a bicycle and outdoor store in Rochester, Minnesota for over 16 years, selling, renting, and fitting bicycles. For the last 10 years, he has been the outfitter and main instructor of the Lanesboro Road Scholar biking programs. He has bicycled from Minneapolis to Seattle, Minneapolis to Alaska, and spent 11 weeks cycling in Great Britain. Terry volunteers as a Master Gardener, and enjoys bird watching and leading trips with the local Audubon Society.
 
Joyce Grier
Joyce Grier, along with husband Terry, owned and operated a bicycle and outdoor store for over 16 years in Rochester, Minnesota. She previously had worked as a substitute teacher, and had taught group lessons of guitar, banjo, fiddle, electronic keyboard, electric guitar, and string band. She volunteers as a Master Gardener and as a local Audubon Board member, and enjoys bird watching, quilting, gardening, as well as bicycling. Joyce spent 11 weeks in Britain, bicycling with Terry.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Cottage House Inn
  Lanesboro, Minnesota 5 nights
 Cottage House Inn
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Cottage House Inn is a modern 19th century style inn located on main street. It is family-owned with warm and caring service. Each room is uniquely decorated with a private bath and air conditioning. Sleeping rooms do not have telephone or TV; these items available in the lobby. The lobby phone has complimentary long distance service due to poor cell phone coverage. There is also complimentary WIFI internet service throughout the inn. Two floors, no elevator.
  Contact info: 209 Parkway Ave N
Lanesboro, MN 55949 USA
phone: 800-944-0099
  Room amenities: The rooms are decorated in a simple Amish style and have limited hanging space for clothes.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $ Call 800-944-0099 for current rates. Book early as summer weekends fill fast.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $ Call 800-944-0099 for current rates. Book early as summer weekends fill fast.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 PM at hotel in Lanesboro, MN. You will be staying at Cottage House Inn that night.
  End of Program:
9:00 PM at hotel in Lanesboro, MN. You will be staying at Cottage House Inn the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Waiver and completed Health Information Form must be returned to coordinator prior to arrival.
  Parking availability:
Ample free off-street parking available.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lanesboro, Minnesota
  Nearest highway: US Highway 52
  Nearest airport:  Rochester, MN (RST)
  From End of Program
  Location: Lanesboro, Minnesota
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
GoRochesterDirect.com
phone: 800-280-9270
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$27 for Senior 60+, MSP to Rochester, or returning Rochester to MSP.
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Rochester is 90 min from MSP, still 45 min away from Lanesboro. 
   

If flying into MSP, either take a rental car direct to Lanesboro or this shuttle to Rochester. See options below for transport from Rochester to Lanesboro.
 

Rochester (RST)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Bikes On Wheels
phone: 507-250-0097
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15 for Rochester downtown or airport (RST) to Lanesboro, MN
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes RST to the Cottage House Inn 
   

This shuttle to Lanesboro will be ONE TIME ONLY at 1:00 p.m. the Sunday of the program. The return shuttle will leave Lanesboro about 8:00 a.m. as necessary. A signup sheet will be sent with registration materials several weeks before the program.
 

Rochester (RST)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Yellow Cab
phone: 507-282-2222
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75 from downtown or airport to Lanesboro
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes RST to the Cottage House Inn 
   

Also $75 from Med City Cab in Rochester 507-282-8294
 
Driving Directions
  Minneapolis/St. Paul -- Take US Highway 52 South, 70 miles to Rochester. Continue on US 52 South for 33 miles to the town of Fountain. -- At Fountain, turn left onto County Road 8 East. Slow down! It is a sharp turn that comes up fast. -- Travel 8 miles to Lanesboro. The first stop sign you will come to is Lanesboro’s main street, Parkway Avenue. -- Turn left and go 2 blocks to the Cottage House Inn, on your left. (The hotel sign can be difficult to spot – the building is gray with a white-pillared front porch.) You have gone too far if the road turns sharply to the right. -- Park behind the Inn, in their gravel parking lot. -- Total is about 110 miles from MSP to Lanesboro.
  Wisconsin and points East -- Take Interstate 90 West across the Mississippi River into Minnesota. -- Just across the river take the US 61 South exit to the town of La Crescent. -- In 2 miles, US 61 turns left toward La Crosse, WI. Do not turn, but continue straight ahead on MN16 West. Follow all the twists and turns 55 miles to the town of Lanesboro. -- Turn right on MN 250 North and drive 1 mile to the Cottage House Inn on your left. (The hotel sign can be hard to spot - the building is gray with a white-pillared front porch.) You have gone too far if the road turns sharply to the right. -- Park behind the Inn in their gravel parking lot. --Total is about 60 miles from La Crosse to Lanesboro.
Equipment Requirements: Bicycle helmet and waterbottle.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-in at the inn, course materials, introductions, and program orientation.
(Sunday, June 2)
   
 Afternoon: Hotel and program check-in begins at 3 p.m.. Receive your room key from the front desk, and nametag and other materials from the on-site coordinator in the conference room. Step outside to be fitted for your bike (proper fit is essential to a safe, enjoyable ride).
 Dinner: Group dinner at a local restaurant. There will be salad, chef's choice of entree, and a dessert. With all group meals, your choice of coffee, milk, soda, iced tea or lemonade is included in the meal. Pay the server directly for all other beverages.
 Evening: Meet in hotel conference room for introductions and a review of the program itinerary.
   
Accommodations: Cottage House Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Biking 18 miles on the Root River Trail and theater performance of The Philadelphia Story.
(Monday, June 3)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Cottage House Inn. Optional stretching prior to breakfast.
 Morning: Transportation provided to Peterson trail head, about 14 miles from Lanesboro. Ride east, with a snack stop at 13 miles, finishing in Houston for a total 17.4 miles.
 Lunch: Trailside buffet lunch at the Houston Nature Center. Talk by naturalist and owl researcher, Karla Bloem about Great-horned Owls with a visit by Alice the owl.
 Afternoon: Optional biking extension of 12.6 miles back to Rushford. Explore historic Lanesboro by van with lecture of the area's rich history and culture.
 Dinner: Group dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will be chosen by you at the time of check-in.
 Evening: Attend Commonweal Theatre performance of The Philadelphia Story with a chance to talk to the actors after the play.
   
Accommodations: Cottage House Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Biking 23 miles on the Root River Trail and slideshow of Bicycling in the British Isles.
(Tuesday, June 4)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Cottage House Inn. Optional stretching prior to breakfast.
 Morning: Bike two blocks to the trail and head east. Snack stop in Peterson at 13.5 miles, where you will turn around and ride back toward Lanesboro. Ride ends in Whalan at 22.4 miles. Option to continue to Lanesboro after lunch for 27 miles total.
 Lunch: Trailside buffet lunch at shelter in the small town of Whalen.
 Afternoon: Optional 2 mile hike at Eagle Bluff ELC or optional biking extension out-and-back for one hour. Late afternoon discussion at the Commonweal Theater.
 Dinner: Group dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will be chosen by you at the time of check-in.
 Evening: Slideshow of Bicycling in the British Isles by Terry and Joyce Grier.
   
Accommodations: Cottage House Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Bicycling 23 miles on the Root River Trail and presentation on Basics of Bicycle Maintenance and Repair.
(Wednesday, June 5)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Cottage House Inn. Optional stretching prior to breakfast.
 Morning: Bike two blocks to the trail and head west. Snack stop in Fountain at 11.2 miles. Ride back to Lanesboro for a total ride of 22.4 miles.
 Lunch: Buffet lunch at the Cottage House Inn in Lanesboro.
 Afternoon: Optional out-and-back bicycling extension for one hour. Late afternoon discussion at the Commonweal Theatre.
 Dinner: Group dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will be chosen by you at the time of check-in.
 Evening: Presentation on Basics of Bicycle Maintenance and Repair by Terry Grier.
   
Accommodations: Cottage House Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Bicycling 23 miles on the Root River Trail and theater performance of The Drawer Boy.
(Thursday, June 6)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Cottage House Inn. Optional stretching prior to breakfast.
 Morning: Bike two blocks to the trail and head west 4.7 miles, then south toward Preston 10.2 miles, where there will be a snack stop. Continue riding to Harmony, for a total ride of 22.5 miles.
 Lunch: Buffet lunch at the Harmony Visitor Center.
 Afternoon: Optional biking extension 12.3 miles back to Preston.
 Dinner: Presentation of Certificates of Participation, followed by group dinner. Your meal will be chosen by you at the time of check-in.
 Evening: Attend Commonweal Theatre performance of The Drawer Boy with a chance to talk to the actors after the play.
   
Accommodations: Cottage House Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Departure
(Friday, June 7)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Optional stretching prior to breakfast.
 Morning: Farewells and check-out. The shuttle to Rochester leaves at 8 a.m. or when needed. Individual departures at your leisure.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Lanesboro, Minnesota Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce
Your guide to historic Lanesboro. For additional information, visit www.lanesboro.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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