This ride follows a good part of the AV 300k route, minus some of the frills. After 30 miles of relatively easy riding out to Cannon Falls, your work will begin and continue for 190 miles with rollers, good climbs and descents, some beautiful valleys and river views.
From Plainview to our midpoint in Stockton you'll have two blazing descents and to good climbs. This leg is identical to the original 400k route. However, thanks to a preride from Randy Carey, I've learned that the bridge shortly before Elba is out, there aren't many roads in that area, and the official detour adds about 25 miles. So I opted for a slightly modified out and back Plainview Stockton Plainview loop (via Minnesota City). It adds only about 3 miles to the overall length and keeps the overall climbin about the same.
Once you get back to Plainview at mile 155, you'll follow significant parts of the 300k route, with a couple of new roads thrown in. A typical highlight is the Milville to South Troy section (with mostly a gently incline) along the Root River on your left. The 400k rider should experience this around sunset and it has always been a highlight of each ride. After a night rest stop in Zumbrota, riders keep rolling back to Cannon Falls and then will have an easy 30 miles back to Apple Valley.
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Craig Plesco | |
| Brian Lewis-Jones | |
| Andy Williams | |
| Randy Anderson | |
| Michael Mullery | |
| Tom Garry | |
| Norman Ehrentreich | |
| Jonas Nygard | |
| William Watts | |
| Alexander Pesek |