## Stillwater and the St Croix River Valley
The section of the St Croix River, centered around Stillwater, is a National Scenic Riverway thanks to the efforts of senators Walter Mondale (MN) and Gaylord Nelson (WI) in 1968. The National Riverway helps form a 252-mile-long natural boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Criss-crossing the river using six bridges allows for riding through many river towns, four counties, and a couple of states, on or close to the river. These communities include Afton, Bayport, Houlton, Hudson, Marine, New Richmond, Oak Park Heights, Osceola, River Falls, Prescott, Scandia, Somerset, St Croix Falls, Stillwater, and Taylors Falls, within Pierce, Polk, St Croix, and Washington counties.
Routes of varying lengths and complexity are featured, appealing to various ages and abilities, as well as multi-generational family groups, providing something for everyone. Several gravel routes, some with short (1-mile) timed segments, are listed for the more-avid or racing cyclists. Many panoramic vistas exist over the river and its pastoral surroundings, providing photo opportunities not visible from a car.
## Stillwater, Minnesota
Originally a Native village along the river, then a lumbering boom town, Stillwater, Minnesota, gained national fame for antiquing and rare books. Now Stillwater teems with silent sports habitats, trails, and waterways. With the collaboration of many governmental and community organizations and its citizenry, all networking their assets together, Stillwater has become a vibrant and resilient city for silent sports enthusiasts. Stillwater draws its name from the calmness of waters near its downtown, and is recognized as “The birthplace of Minnesota” (1848). With a population of about 20,000, sitting 20 miles east of Minneapolis-St Paul, from which it draws many of its visitors, Stillwater has some little-known facts, which include: In 1921, Charles Strite invented the automatic pop-up bread toaster in Stillwater; and Denis McDonough, born and raised in Stillwater, became President Obama’s White House Chief of Staff.
## Some local organizations that enhance our local riding and routes...
* [Chilkoot Velo Cycling Club:](https://www.chilkootvelo.com/) We are a recreational and competitive cycling club in the Greater Stillwater area, and cyclists of all skill levels and ages (18+) are encouraged to join. We are dedicated to promoting group cycling in the St Croix Valley.
* [Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association:](https://gatewaybrownscreektrail.org/) The Association is an all-volunteer organization which represents trail users to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the State Legislature.
* [River Valley Trails:](https://www.rivervalleytrails.org/) Is dedicated to enjoying and spreading the opportunities for riding and walking in Western St. Croix and Pierce Counties in Wisconsin.
* [St. Croix Bike and Pedestrian Trail Coalition:](https://stcroixtrails.org/) The Coalition is a grassroots effort of St. Croix County residents to create a coordinated bike and pedestrian trail network in St. Croix County Wisconsin.
* [Sustainable Stillwater MN:](https://www.sustainablestillwatermn.org/) We are a large group of volunteers who serve in various workgroups to advance our mission to create and support local initiatives that promote sustainability and seek to preserve our environment and champion a healthy and resilient community.
## Some local bike shops to help improve your day...
* [Art Doyle's Spokes and Pedals](https://www.spokesandpedals.com/) (Hudson WI)
* [Chilkoot Cyclery](https://www.chilkootcc.com/) (Stillwater MN)
* [Crank Worx](https://crankworxbikeshop.com/) (River Falls WI)
* [Gateway Cycle](https://www.gatewaycycle.com/) (North St Paul MN)
* [The Garage Bikes and Brews](https://garagebikesbrews.com/) (River Falls WI)
* [Pedego Electric Bikes](https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/stillwater/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkYGVBhArEiwA4sZLuFdFEsFEUzWtvo0JWxswLBR_pTGPzNF65NHkgezDstfOTp7PYwgYjxoCoNgQAvD_BwE) (Stillwater MN)
## Some local events that utilize this area...
* [Bridge the Valley - Bike Rally](https://sunrotary.org/page/bridge-the-valley-bike-rally-home-page-2022) (Sunday, 14th August 2022): Choose from five route options: 10, 25, 45, 70 and a 75 mile Gravel Challenge Rides for all skill levels and each route offers spectacular views! After your ride, meet up with friends and family in downtown Stillwater. Enjoy live music and refreshments along the St. Croix river. (Routes with a "BTV" prefix have been a part of this event.)
## Your Ambassador... Mike Lyner
Mike has been a 'bike- and 'map-a-holic' since he was around 14 years old. In his teen years Mike was a time trialist, road and velodrome racer, yet dabbled in bicycle touring. He emigrated from England to the USA in 1979, following his Architectural education and licencing, and eventually settled as a dual citizen in Stillwater MN. Prompted by a pamphlet describing the Mississippi ["Great River Road"](https://experiencemississippiriver.com/the-great-river-road-the-best-drive-in-america/#:~:text=The%20Great%20River%20Road%20National,important%20scenic%20byway%20in%20America.) Mike bike-camped this route with a friend, a week at a time for 5 years, from its headwaters to the delta.
Currently Mike is the President of the 100-member Chilkoot Velo Cycling Club, and has worked with [Discover Stillwater](https://discoverstillwater.com/things-to-do/biking-hiking-trails/) to make the best biking routes in and around Stillwater more visible and usable for tourists and local citizens alike. Also, as a member of [Sustainable Stillwater MN](https://www.sustainablestillwatermn.org/bfc), Mike has worked on their efforts to gain Stillwater its 'Bicycle-Friendly Community' bronze certificate from [BikeMN](https://www.bikemn.org/), the local arm of the League of American Cyclists.
This area is an amazing venue for cycling, with beautiful and varied terrain, good road conditions, and phenominal lodging and eating offerings.
Enjoy the Journey... as well as its destinations.undefined routes