Bikin'/Drinkin' PUMPKIN RIDE, Halloween, MN

“WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL PUMPKIN RIDE!!! Mooooooooooohahahaha BOO!

Combines parts of these two trails:

Mostly on this one--
Harmony-Preston Valley Trail
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/harmony_preston.html

And also a bit on this one:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/root_river.html

MAP OF THE WHOLE TRAIL SYSTEM--
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_trails/tra00730.pdf


I can't really say this is *my* trip. It's a gathering, a party, a chance to wear costumes and a chance to drink!

Currently, probably around 200 people visit Preston to do the ride, given good weather. Many are from Iowa (and especially love it if the Iowa vs. Minnesota football game is on that Saturday, with the Hawkeyes hopefully whipping the Golden Gophers' asses!)

The big day is Saturday, Oct. 29. At some time before or near sundown, you don your costume and get on your bike for a 5-mile ride on the Root River Trail to The Old Barn restaurant, right on the trail. There's a shelter along the way that's often used for a beverage break. hiccup!

Make sure you have some kind of little headlight on the bike (and/or head) for light in the darkness.

At The Old Barn, partying ensues. Costumes are very VERY creative! (Just make sure to keep them out of your bike chain! >8-O )

On the way back to Preston, maybe 9 p.m.-ish, give or take, there's sometimes a small band or singer at the shelter along the trail (with amp biked in on a BOB trailer - BOBs can also be used to cart your beverages. NO, NOT **THAT** KIND OF BOB!!!)

I've also seen fireworks shot off there.

Then you return to the Servicemen's Club in Preston for more partying with a live band.

IT'S SMALL TOWN LIVING AT ITS FINEST!! Oh yes, and area favorite singer Mike McAbee (famous for his classic "I Like to Pee Outside" and better when aged with beer and hard liqour) will be at Zeke's garage bar (this is really a garage that is probably the nicest bar in town!) for after-bar entertainment.

Did I mention the Halloween stew? And I guess there's even pumpkin beer this year!

I think it's the 10th or 11th one. Kind of an unofficial thing, ya know.

CAMPING AVAILABLE AT LIZS' OR AREA CAMPGROUNDS OR ANY GUTTER YOU HAPPEN TO FALL IN.

:-)
last edited: 9/28/05 8:36:25 PM”

“McAbee --
http://www.mikemcabee.com/index.html”

“Did somebody mention DRINKING???



HIC!”

“This sounds interesting to me. I printed out the map. I'm guessing it's about a 3 hour drive??

On the radar lizs.

Oh and I've had pumpkin ale. Little hint of spice. Yep, it's good.”

“Grrrr... I have inventory that day at work. And its mandetory no choice have to be there.”

“Beer and cycling hmm,why would I want to do that”

“friday bnight the party is at the parkway pub very biker freindly costume party that night to and drinking if we have to!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! >8-O

Might see ya there, huh, sarge51, but only if you don't see me first??!?! LOL!”

“(WARNING: The above "sarge" is an imposter. Accept no substitutes.)
last edited: 10/10/05 7:13:15 PM”

“Who-AH!

”

“Uugggghhhhh!

”

“Mom?”

“mmmmmmmmm kay... WHO is Sarge51???!?

(one of my karoake partners in full-fledged Halloween costume name? lol)”

“[b]been sarge all my life so I don't think I'm an imposter just a bike rider lookin for a good time been to pumkin ride for about ten years good time”

“Welcome sarge51 !!

(Just ignore 'em if people look at you strangely when you tell them you're name. People are so mean sometimes.)”

“the owner of parkway pub in lanesbouro emailed me telling that he is having a holloween party both nights with lots of fun things planed and pumkin beer.”

“sarge51,where are you from? If you're gonna be in Lanesboro or Preston, we have to meet. Adding to the "Who have you met?" list is always a TOP PRIORITY here! LOL”

“If you been before we have at least seen each other , two years ago we were the flintstones on sat. night.Last year was the first time we went to lanesbouro on friday night but we came up early and it was so warm so we rode and I think must have been over serve by vince at the parkway pub , oso not learning we came up for the bus ride from hell one I think we had a good time!You asked where we are from Hudson Iowa,are you from the area?”

“Was from Decorah for like 20 years. Now I'm in one of your Pumpkin Ride towns. So, biker boy, what are you doing on our backpacking site?? LOL! Do you backpack? We do that at Yellow River State Forest, etc. You're heard of that, I'd guess? How'd you find your way to our site? And you're a mighty fine biking ambassador, might I add. I haven't been on my bike all year. Need to get it looked at.”

“Lets get people thinking about this again.

:-)”

“so are any of you going or still just talking.”

“I'm a local reporter sarge, so I'll be there in some way, shape or form. Last year I had a bad cold, so rode (as in a car) out to the Old Barn with friends, but was too pooped to hit the extravaganza at the Servicemen's in Preston.

This year when that concludes, Mike McAbee will be hanging and singing at Zeke's garage.

I hope to make some of the festivities. ;-)

And I asked how you found the board and if you backpack... cuz we do have some fun trips in NE Iowa/SE MN/W WI vicinity. Some big partays at the campfire, too, at times!”

“I just type pumkin ride preston on google and it went right to the backpacker. And no we haven't yet, have a freind pushing us to go put haven't yet.Our freind goes to some island up by canada for a week and they like it , but a week with out a shower don't know.
last edited: 10/22/05 3:29:51 PM”

“Some crazies from Iowa are making the trek to Preston for the fun activites. What are the chances a girl could borrow a bike for the big adventure? We ran into a little space/travel problem just recently. She owns a bike...is a good biker...especially while drinking?? Thanks!”

“WHOOOOO are you? who who... who who?

Hey Sarge51, what are you going to be dressed as? Gonna be at the Parkway Friday night? lemme know :-)

I just talked to E1 tonight, as I like to call her... she's still considering....”

“I'll be a horn dog , how about you?”

“LOL...hmmm... Have to think what that costume might look like.

I might well be in NO costume. Just plain old me. I call it my "*itch" costume. lol...

So you are going to be at the Parkway Friday?”

“[b]yes thats where the party is friday and vince would not forgive us if we did not show.Have to costumes one for friday one for sat.come on get a costume get the holloween spirit, one day a year you can be someone else.”

“HALLOWEEN PARTIES - October 29th
The list is growing... There are 7 Halloween rides listed where you can "get yer Spook On"


NNNN
Attend one or R.I.P.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------”

“Ahh, Sarge51,what will you be Friday? I'm thinking I might actually have to backpack overnight Saturday with the maaaaah-ve-lous weather! That's my top priority in superbola weather!

So what do I look for tomorrow night??”