Rock ‘N’ Roll the Lakes

Some members from the Hot Wheels riding group in Austin turn onto Fountain Street to start their ride at the beginning of Rock ‘n’ Roll the Lakes in 2018. sarah Kocher/

albert lea tribune

you ready To rock ‘n’ roll By Bike?

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

Rock ’N’ Roll the Lakes will return for its third year in July for bike enthusiasts from both near and far.

Albert Lea Recreation Director Bob Furland said the event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 10. There will be three routes — a 10-mile, 30-mile and 50-mile route.

Furland said the 10-mile route is mainly around Fountain Lake within Albert Lea and the 30- and 50-mile routes go out in Freeborn County.

Furland said the event had grown to up to 170 or 180 people in the past, with people coming from South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota to participate. Organizers are shooting for 300 people.

People can sign up for the event at bikemn.com. Cost to register by June 14 is $33.54 with all registration fees. After that, it is $38.79.

Participants are asked to meet in the North Broadway parking lot the morning of the event, with check-in starting at 8 a.m. and closing at 10 a.m. People riding the 50-mile route should check-in no later than 9 a.m.

Organizers said the event is set up to promote biking in the state and is a fundraiser for the Freeborn County Trail Association.

Holly Karsjens, executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the night before the main event, there will be a less formal glow ride for anyone from the community or who comes in early for the event. Riders are asked to meet a half hour before sunset in the North Broadway parking lot.