Bike Bemidji Loop the Lake Festival – June 17, 2017

The very successful Loop the Lake Festival will once again be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 with as many as 800 bicyclists on the course in the morning and early afternoon.

The start time of the event is from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the Sanford Event Center Parking lot. This is a family friendly fun ride, not a race and the course includes local county and city roads as well as local trails.

From the Sanford Event Center the ride course will travel past Paul Bunyan Lakeside Park, and then will access Birchmont Drive NW from Bemidji State University, past Diamond Point and Cameron Parks respectively, to the Northwoods Boat Access on Lake Bemidji and for a short distance riders will use Bemidji Avenue (CSAH 21) to Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge. After leaving Ruttgers the riders will use the east bound lane of Birchmont Beach road (CSAH 20) to the entrance to Lake Bemidji State Park. There will be a temporary detour for east bound traffic on Birchmont Beach Road for this event.

The detour route for east bound traffic will be north on Bemidji Avenue to Country Club Rd and then south on Country Club Road, back onto Birchmont Beach Road. Deputies, traffic cones and signing will direct you through the detour. The temporary detour will last from approximately 8:00 AM until noon.

Once the riders negotiate the fun trails of Bemidji State Park they will use the multi- purpose Paul Bunyan State Trail on the east side of Lake Bemidji, ending back at the Sanford Event Center parking lot. The bicyclists are reminded that they are required to stop at each road crossing of the Paul Bunyan State Trail and motorists are urged to drive with heightened caution when crossing the trail.

The following laws and safety tips can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. More information can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sharetheroad/bike/index.html .

Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted.

Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic.

Motorists must at all times maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.

Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to each other.

Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner.

Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light.

Bicyclists should always wear helmets.

Respectfully submitted:

Ernie Beitel, Chief Deputy Sheriff