Farmer Trail to Hurricane Hill [29 miles]

A hilly choice but worth it!   The course name comes from the farm near the top of Cabot avenue.   You will feel this climb as it works its way up to a terrific view to the west from 163rd Street.   And Farmer Trail is simply one of the most treasured roads in the county - beautiful in every season.   I prefer this route clockwise as shown - be careful crossing highway 3 on the way home.

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Chub Lake - Sky Harbor[32 miles]

Sometimes it’s nice to have a course with flatter sections - the group can get a good pace going without too many of those pesky hills.   This loop starts very flat and features one good kicker in on the north end at Hamburg Avenue.  The paved connector on county 86 is busy but has a decent shoulder.   

If you want a shorter ride this one is easy to cut off - just keep going south on Isle avenue and drop the Sky Harbor section to lose about 7 miles.   Or turn back east on 295th and take Holyoke Avenue back to town.  Both ways are quick but do watch out for horse traffic in this neighborhood.  

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Union Lake Loop [33 miles]

One of our favorite evening gravel loops heads west to Union Lake.   The views from Dalton Avenue are worth the trip across the freeway.    The rollers on 57th are guaranteed to please as well. 

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Last year a two mile section of this course was paved 😞 but the roads by the lakes are some of our favorites.   If you run this loop counter clockwise watch the downhill on Union Lake Trail.  Sometimes the surface is loose and can be a problem.   
 

Shady Lane & The Scenic Barn [45 miles]

Reputed to be the most photographed barn in Goodhue County.   And why not?  Heywood ride veterans will remember this view and also the leg burning ascent of Shady Lane.

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Camp Winona Trail – Cody Trail – Union Lake Trail [57 miles]

The lakes area west and south of Northfield feature lots of twisting roads and this course flys by three of the best ones!  There’s not much for supplies after the C-Store in Shieldsville at mile 20 so be prepared.

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A good way to Wanamingo [66 miles]

One of our favorite mid ride stops is the halfway point on this loop.  Area57 is a little coffee shop that can do it all.   Food to order or desserts if you need the sugar hit (try the bread pudding).  This ride features two different swings through the lovely Sogn Valley - a fantastic corridor carved by the Little Cannon River as it heads north.  Scenery and scones!

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Sunset Trail – Miesville Ravine – Byllesby Dam [72 miles]

This course generally follows the Cannon River all the way to Welch Village.   There are possible fuel stops in Cannon Fails or Randolph.  Most of the climbing is front loaded so the flatter finish coming back from the dam might be welcome.

Good Stuff Gravel Century [103 miles]

If you have time, here’s a long ride that covers a lot of ground first west and then east of Northfield.  The first half features a section that will be familiar to those riders who have managed The Day Across Minnesota - although this runs the other direction.   You can get food at the C-store in Shieldsville or later in Nerstrand too.   The beef jerky available at Nerstrand Meats is not to be missed and coming at mile 68 might be just the lift you need to finish this one.