Biking

Bicycles are a great way to get out and explore the forest. Most biking opportunities in the Superior National Forest are along gravel surfaced forest roads, often a single lane with no shoulders. Cyclists must be careful and alert for traffic including logging trucks.

There are also singletrack mountain biking trail systems, multiple use trail systems, and paved bike touring trails. Note that most of our trails are not designed for biking and unless specifically designated as a biking trail, bicycle use is discouraged. Also note that most designated bike trails are shared with hikers and possibly other non-motorized uses such as in-line skating.

When planning a bike trip, cyclists should be aware that many roads in the area are named ‘Trail’. Some of these ‘trails’ are actually high speed two lane paved roads with no shoulders which may not be suitable for all cyclists.

Fat Tire Biking

Fat tire bikes are becoming increasingly popular on the trails of the Superior National Forest.

It’s a great way to continue riding when conditions don’t favor traditional bikes. Fat tire bikes are one of several trail users along with winter hikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers and snowmobiles.

It’s important to keep safety and trail etiquette in mind when riding and to know where you can and cannot ride.

What's a "fat bike?"

A fat bike is a bicycle with large, low-pressure tires designed for travel over snow or sandy soil. The standard equipment guidelines for a fat bike that will be primarily ridden on snow are:

Wide tires. Deep snow coverage may require tires wider than 3.7 inches or larger.
Low tire pressure (often under 8 PSI).
Enough flotation that you can travel over snow without leaving a rut deeper than one inch. If you are leaving a rut deeper than one inch, conditions are too soft for biking.
Sufficient traction that you are able to safely control your bike and ride in a straight line.

Where to ride

Winter fat tire biking is allowed on any Forest Service trails where biking is allowed. On trails groomed for cross-country skiing, fat tire bikes should be ridden to the side of the ski tracks. Here are some guidelines to sharing the trails with others:

Fat tire bikers, please stay off the classic ski track. Please leave pets at home. Dogs running in the classic track makes it difficult for skiers and causes stress to wildlife.
Don’t ride if your tire is leaving a rut, wait for the trail to set up after grooming before you ride.
Fat Bikes yield to all other trail users. Bikes have brakes, skis don’t.

E-Biking

The Forest Service classifies e-bikes as motorized vehicles. Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are allowed on open motorized trails and roads on the Superior National Forest. E-bikes are not allowed on non-motorized trails.

Mountain Biking

Most mountain biking experiences on the Superior National Forest are along roadways originally developed to access forest stands for other reasons, but there are also two singletrack trail systems and one multi-use trail designated for cycling.

When using roads, mountain bikers need to be aware that many roads in the Forest are single lane roads with occasional wide areas for passing. Logging trucks and other vehicles travel the same roads and can surprise unsuspecting bikers. With this in mind, biking on the back roads can be a wonderful way to visit the Forest. Bikes allow for relatively fast access to the area without being isolated from the outdoors as you are in a car or truck. Wear a helmet, bring lots of water, and be prepared, but don't forget to have a good time!

There are two areas with dedicated mountain bike singletrack trail. One is on the Tofte District starting from the Britton Peak Hiking Trailhead, and the other starts in the Pincushion Recreation Area on the Gunflint District. Mountain biking is also part of the multi-use Big Aspen Trail on the Laurentian District

Road Cycling

Many visitors to the Superior National Forest choose to come by bicycle. Bicycling on the paved roads in the Forest can present some challenges and dangers. Many of the roads are well traveled by other visitors in cars, trucks, or RVs, who may be driving a vehicle with which they are not familiar and which may be significantly wider than their normal car. Some roads may experience fairly heavy traffic, especially on Friday nights and Saturday mornings as people enter the area. Most paved roads in the Forest have small to absent shoulders, so bikers usually have to ride in the traffic lane.

If you are road cycling, equip your bike or helmet with a rear view mirror. Wear a helmet. Be especially careful if you are cycling with panniers and other baggage that affect your balance. When there is a bike trail available that would get you off the road, use it.

Road cycling can be a great, and environmentally sound, way to travel in the Superior National Forest. Enjoy your bike adventure in the safest way that you can.