Bicycle tour “echoes” the voyageurs

Bicycle tour "echoes" the voyageurs

The 35th annual "Jaunt with Jim," a Minnesota biking tradition, took place in Cook County this year. The 250-mile ride’s theme was "Echoes of the Voyageurs." Top: Stopping at the Chicago Bay Marketplace on the ride from Grand Portage back to Grand Marais was John and Pat Leibman on their recumbent tandem bike. The Leibmans started riding with Jim Klobuchar in 1996. Left: Jean English of Minneapolis enjoyed a snack at the Marketplace and didn’t mind having a photo taken of her eyeglass rear-view mirror. "It’s like a seatbelt," said English. "I wouldn’t ride without it."

If it seemed that there were more bikers on the Gitchi Gami Bicycle Trail, Highway 61, and the Gunflint Trail during the last week, it’s because 180 people were taking part in a "Jaunt with Jim Bike Ride," a 35-year tradition, which this year followed the theme "Echoes of the Voyageurs."

The Cook County ride was organized by Jim Klobuchar, former columnist with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and father to Senator Amy Klobuchar. Jim Klobuchar hosted his first "jaunt" 35 years ago in the Minneapolis suburb of Fridley, leading a group to Hinckley, Cooke State Park in Duluth, to the Iron Range and Hibbing, Mille Lacs, and back to Fridley—500 miles in five days.

The ride has grown significantly and has become known as a "community on wheels" by its participants, who range in age from mid-20s to 70s and beyond, from all walks of life.

The 35th annual ride is shorter than the usual Jaunts with Jim—250 miles if participants join the scenic "addons." On the Jim Klobuchar Adventures website, Klobuchar noted that the change was due to the opportunity to enjoy the land where "robust and impetuous French fur traders…paddled their canoes, sang their songs and left their mark on history of what are now Canada and northern Minnesota."

Staff photos/Rhonda Silence

Tongue-in-cheek, Klobuchar explained the format was altered so participants could "enjoy the lake country as modern voyageurs, except that these will travel with short pants and water bottles."

The modern-day voyageur jaunt started from Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte on Saturday, June 13 with a ride from the center along the beautiful section of the Gitchi Gami that passes through Temperance River. Bikers then rode to Grand Marais, where the School District 166 campus served as home base. Bikers enjoyed walks to the lighthouse and around town, shopping and dining in Grand Marais. Hardy bikers, who wanted more miles, trekked up to Devil Track Resort.

On Sunday, the jaunt headed to Grand Portage, stopping at Chicago Bay Marketplace in Hovland for Lisa Mesenbring’s popular caramel and cinnamon rolls. The group camped overnight in Grand Portage and spent time exploring the historic trails and the Pigeon River. Returning to Grand Marais on Monday, June 15, the group made a stop at historic Naniboujou Lodge.

June 16 – 17 was spent heading up the Gunflint Trail and taking alternate side trips—canoeing, hiking, or of course—more biking! The group enjoyed dinner and bear stories at Gunflint Lodge. At press time on June 18, bikers were retracing their route to Grand Marais—45 miles, all downhill!

There were some concerns expressed about the safety of riding bicycles along Cook County’s roads with narrow or non-existent shoulders, but Sue Kerfoot of Gunflint Lodge said she saw no problem with the bicycles on her trip up the Gunflint Trail in a motor coach on the day 180 bikes were heading to her lodge. "We had to slow down a bit to go around them, but it really wasn’t a big deal."

"What people need to realize is that this was 183 people in our community, staying here, buying meals," Kerfoot said.

She added that the lodge had a great time hosting the group. About 145 people went canoeing, 40 enjoyed pontoon boat rides, and about 30 ventured out in voyageur canoes. An activity befitting the theme "Echoes of the Voyageurs."