Jesse James Bike Tour

• Meet Erik the Bikeman at 8:30AM on Saturday, September 6, as he saddles up for the 45 mile route of the Jesse James Bike Tour. Check the “Ride with Erik” box on the registration form to ride with Erik and receive a free gift from Erik’s.
• The Jesse James Gang will also be on hand to fire up riders for a group start at 8:30AM (before their escape). Riders are free to begin riding at any time during the recommended departure windows, but to participate in the group start, be ready to go at 8:30.
• Register now! All riders, including riders under 18 who are riding free thanks to the support of REI, must be registered. All riders will receive registration bands to be worn during the JJ Bike Tour this year.  Both MAIL-IN and ON-LINE registration now available at this link.
• Don’t forget your t-shirt order, and plan to spend time after the ride at Northfield’s Defeat of Jesse James Days.

Minnesota’s Traditional End of Summer Distance Ride!

• Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008
• Routes: see the map for last year; our routes will be largely unchanged.
• Registration: Both MAIL-IN and ON-LINE registration now available at this link.
• REI Supports Young Riders: A gift from REI will allow registered riders under 18 years of age accompanied by an adult to ride for free! Thank you REI for encouraging young riders of the Jesse James Bike Tour!
• 10 mile route: ideal for families and recreational riders, features Catch the James-Younger Gang Game along the route with prizes for kids, organized by local Girl Scouts Troops.
• 30 mile route: some challenging hills and gorgeous views, runs by Northfield’s wind generator and the Big Woods State Park in Nerstrand.
• 45 mile route: NEW IN 2008, this route combines the first half of the 60 mile route with the second half of the 30 mile route. Unforgettable biking!
• 60 and 100 mile routes: traverses some of the most beautiful country in southern Minnesota, including the Sogn Valley–a hidden gem, the Faribault lakes area, and rolling rural hills. Great tests! Exhilarating rides!

See the five dozen photos in the 2007 Jesse James Bike Tour photo album or this slideshow.

Enjoy a refreshing massage from the Minnesota AMTA Sports Massage Team after the ride.

They will be located at the Northfield Middle School in the ‘Jesse James Massage Parlor’.

Hours: 10am - 5pm

Cost:

• $10 for 15 minutes
• $20 for 30 minutes

Here’s our current list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. What are the start times?
   • 100 mile: 6:30 am - 8:00 am
   • 60 mile: 6:30 am - 9:00 am
   • 45 mile: 7:00 am - 10:00 am
   • 30 mile: 7:00 am - 10:00 am
   • 10 mile: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
2. Can I register the day of the ride?
   • Yes, but it will be faster if you pre-register
3. Are there rest stops?
   • There are rest stops spaced along all routes.
4. Is there SAG support?
   • SAG vehicles will patrol all routes.
5. Are there showers?
   • There are showers available at the Start/End in the Middle School
6. Where is the start and end of the tour?
   • At the Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division St. South (Highway 246) about 1/3 mile south of Jefferson Parkway. See this Google map for more directions.

2007 Sponsors as of 8/23/07

• Community Resource Bank
• Culligan
• Dave’s Electronic Service
• Engage (Northfield Printing)
• Erik’s Bike Shop
• Esse Advertising
• First National Bank Northfield
• FMC Foodtech
• Great Harvest Bread Co.
• Larson’s Printing
• Malt-o-Meal
• Milltown Cycle
• Northfield Construction Company
• Northfield Hospital
• Northfield News
• Northfield Retirement Community
• Pearson’s
• REI
• Steven Schmidt Construction
• Subway
• Switzer’s Nursery and Landscaping
• TBC, LLC
• Wells Fargo

Here’s the brochure (PDF) for the 2007 Jesse James Bike Tour.

Here’s the design for the 2007 Tour t-shirts. Click to enlarge. You’ll have an opportunity to order the $10 t-shirts during the registration process.

Here’s a PDF of the map for the 2007 tour, all four routes.

The starting times for the 2008 Jesse James Bike Tour are:

• Get Away/100 mi. 6:30-8
• Desperado/60 mi. 6:30-8
• Shortcut/45 mi. 7:00-10:00
• Posse/30 mi. 7:00-10
• Townsfolk/10 mi. 8:00-10