Gitchi-Gami Annual Trail Ride

The Gitchi-Gami Trail Association (GGTA) Annual North Shore Bike Ride is an event sponsored by the GGTA, which is a private non-profit organization incorporated in July, 1997.

The GGTA was organized to work with the MN Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the MN Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) to make the 86 mile non-motorized Gitchi-Gami State Trail (GGST) running between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota become a reality. The Annual Ride is a fund raiser for the GGTA and proceeds are used for maintenance of the GGST.

The Ninth Annual GGTA North Shore Bike Ride was held on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Although very warm temperatures were forecast, good ole Lake Superior came through again with its "cooler by the lake" temperatures. Temperatures perhaps did reach 80 degrees but that was at higher elevations and away from the GGST.

This year's ride again began and ended in beautiful Gooseberry Falls State Park. The ride had a staggered start so bikers registered at their convenience and could begin their ride anywhere from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Snacks and beverages were provided at the rest stops and at the ride’s end.

Bikers had a choice of two rides: a 28 mile shorter trip and a longer 55 mile route. Both rides followed the newly constructed GGST through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and along the beautiful North Shore to a rest stop in Beaver Bay, a distance of 14 miles. The longer route riders made a 27 mile loop and upon reaching the Beaver Bay rest stop, followed the GGST back to Gooseberry Falls State Park. The shorter route riders enjoyed the Beaver Bay rest stop and then re-traced the GGST back to the beginning.

Our annual ride had a very good turn out with a total of 224 riders participating in this year’s event. With a 140 riders pre-registered, that left the ride registration table very busy with 84 “day of” registrants. Although we had hoped that our Congressman James Oberstar could again make our ride, he was unable to do so. Congressman Oberstar is a big advocate of biking and exercise and has authored many bills that are helping us to construct the Gitchi Gami State Trail.

The GGTA offers a big "THANK YOU" to all of our ride sponsors: Arrowhead Electric, Coop Light and Power, Cove Point Lodge, Grand Marais Hotel Company, Grand Marais State Bank, Grand Superior Lodge, Lutsen Resort, North Shore Federal Credit Union, North Shore Mining and Superior North Outdoor Center. The GGTA also thanks all of the volunteer helpers as well as the cyclists who participated in this year's ride.

We have received many compliments about our ride and many bikers indicated that they will come back again next year. So if you missed this year's ride, please mark your calendars for next year's ride, which will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2010. Come join us for a fun ride and to help support our efforts to design and construct a premier 86 mile non-motorized trail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, MN.

Mail In Registration Form Click here to display a reistration form that you can print and mail in. Release Form A signed copy of this form must be completed before riders may participate. Gitchi-Gami Annual Trail Ride Gitchi-Gami State Trail, along the North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota Online Registration for Annual Ride This link will take you to a different web site to process your online registration.

Back to Home