The event starts/finishes at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, 20 miles west of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is farm country.
The area west of the Twin Cities Metro Area, with quiet roads through gently rolling farmland, has become a favorite of the cycling community. The area is home to several triathlons. Summer in Minnesota is beautiful. Temps are 75-85 ˚F – perfect riding weather.
The 200-mile course may be the flattest double century in America – 201 miles with only 5,745’ of climbing. Riders cross the Mississippi River, follow the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Byway, cross the Mississippi once more and then the Minnesota River before finishing at Lake Rebecca.
The 400-mile course is the flattest road RAAM Qualifier in the RQ System – 386 miles with only 12,126’ of climbing. Riders cross the Mississippi, follow the St. Croix National Scenic Byway, cross into Wisconsin, follow the Great River Road south along the eastern shore of Lake Pepin, cross the Mississippi back into Minnesota, and then the Minnesota River on their way back to the finish. This is the only RAAM Qualifier in the Upper Midwest 5-state area (MN, WI, IA, SD, ND).