“);A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR):A grand opening celebration for a new 25-mile mountain bike trail system in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area starts Friday, June 10, and continues through Sunday, June 12, with a mountain bike festival. The trail system is located in northeastern Minnesota, two hours north of the Twin Cities, near Crosby and Ironton. No permit is needed to enter the recreation area June 10-12. Speakers at the grand opening ceremony on Friday, June 10, include:· Tom Landwehr, DNR commissioner· Courtland Nelson, DNR Parks and Trails Division director· James Oberstar, former U.S. representative· John Ward, Minnesota representative· Paul Gazelka, Minnesota senator.Other speakers include Steve Weber, recreation area manager, and individuals from organizations and businesses that were essential to completion of the trail system. The grand opening will also celebrate the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail’s paved extension. In addition, world-renowned mountain biker Hans “No Way” Rey will make a special guest appearance on Saturday and Sunday. “The development of the trail system has truly been a team effort,” said Weber. “Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the area now offers some of the most fun and challenging mountain biking in the Midwest. We have something for every type of mountain biker, from beginner to Hans Rey.” Advertisement. Article continues below. The DNR teamed up with the Cuyuna Lakes Trails Association, International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), local chapter Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Minnesota Parks and Trails Council, Quality Bicycle Products, and Bikes Belong Coalition to create one of only five IMBA ride centers in the country specifically built, or “purpose-built,” for mountain biking. Construction began in the spring of 2010 to create the mountain bike trail system that now stretches across 800 acres of the recreation area. The trails weave across the undulating landscape developed during 70 years of iron mining. The trail system’s reputation is expected to increase tourism to the area. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the white and green expanse of aspen and birch, the deep-red soil exposed by the trails, and many lakes including 15 turquoise mine lakes. Popular activities include scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, camping, boating and fishing. In addition to the six-mile Cuyuna Lakes State Trail, other nearby paved biking opportunities include the 47-mile Heartland and 112-mile Paul Bunyan state trails. Campsites are available at the recreation area and nearby state forests on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and the grand opening schedule, visit www.mndnr.gov or call the DNR information center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free at 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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