Eighth annual 'Ride with Jim' bicycle tour planned June 5

BAXTER -- The eighth annual "Ride with Jim" bicycle tour will begin 9 a.m. June 5 at the Northland Arboretum Center.

Hosted by the Paul Bunyan Trail Association and Brainerd Community Education, this year's ride with Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., will showcase the emerging trail system developing in Baxter, the arboretum's center and Forestview Middle School.

The ride starts at the Northland Arboretum on Excelsior Road, just north of Movies 10 in Baxter. Coffee, rolls and juice will be provided by the arboretum starting at 8 a.m. The route will take riders through the Oberstar tunnel to the Highway 371 Mississippi River bridge, then north to Forestview Middle School, a distance of 8.5 miles.

Refreshments will be provided at Forestview by Community Education. Restrooms will be open and tours of the new school will be available. The route will continue back to the arboretum.

Lunch will be provided by Northwest Pizza and Boardwalk Bagel for a nominal fee at the arboretum center. Music will be provided during lunch.

After lunch, riders wishing to continue north on the Paul Bunyan Trail with the congressman may continue for any distance (nine miles to Merrifield, 16 miles to Nisswa or to the day's final destination at 22 miles, Pequot Lakes).

The approximate timetable for the ride is:

8 a.m. -- Meet at arboretum.

9 a.m. -- Ride begins.

10:30 a.m. -- Rest stop at Forestview Middle School.

11:30 a.m. -- Lunch stop at Northland Arboretum.

12:30 p.m. -- Leave arboretum for Merrifield and Nisswa.

2:30 to 3 p.m. -- Arrive in Pequot Lakes.

More information may be obtained by calling Terry McGaughey at 829-5278.

The ride is designed as a leisurely ride, not a race or an endurance ride. Approved bike helmets are required.

No registration fee is required. Riders may choose to ride any portion of the ride or the entire distance. Total distance from the arboretum to Forestview Middle School and return is 15 miles. The ride will take place rain or shine. Community members who don't participate on the ride are invited to join riders at the rest stop or for lunch at the arboretum.