Handup Bikepacking Trip 2025

When & Where: We will meet at Behind Bars bicycle shop at 9:30 AM on Saturday August 23rd and roll out at 10 AM. End-point are the group camping sites at Willow River State Park in Hudson, WI. A group will ride back to Minneapolis on Sunday at 11 AM, but feel free to stay longer and enjoy the MTB trails or waterfalls.

Distance ~ 40 miles each way of relatively flat bike path. A mix of pavement and finely crushed limestone - any type of bike will work for these trails. The final 8 miles to camp are on a state highway.

Food: You are responsible for feeding yourself. Pack your own sack lunch for Saturday! We will have a couple designated stopping areas where you'll have time to eat a prepacked sandwich, but not enough time for a sit-down meal. Similar to years past, a group will be going to Carbone's Pizza/Saloon for refreshments/dinner on Saturday nite. Otherwise, bring your camping stove, cook over the fire, or just eat a bunch of PB&Js!

Bevvies: Bauhaus beer and NA beverages will be provided! Feel free to bring your own beverages as well.

Pace: We will be rolling at a casual pace of 8-12 MPH.

If you feel like cranking up the pace and making it a spicy bikepacking ride, you are free to push ahead of the group unsupported.

Gear: We will be providing gear transport to and from the campsite for items you cannot fit on your bike. Please limit gear transport to one bag, but please let us know if you need additional support. If you need camping gear or bike bags, Behind Bars has a bikepacking bag library and we will create a spreadsheet to coordinate with other campers & borrow gear before the trip.

Prepare: Bikepacking can bring new challenges & gear you might not usually use. We highly encourage you to test out your setup before you head out on the trip. A pack-up and quick pedal around the block can give you a good idea of how your setup will fare. We will also be utilizing the group ride for a pre-trip shakedown on Thursday August 21st if you want to test out your setup on a longer ride!

$$$: All proceeds go to our Dirt Fund which provides support to trans and nonbinary cyclists who would like to get into dirt focused races and events.

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