A bicycle rider from Woodbury summed his participation in the Great River Energy-Mesabi Trail Tour simply:

"We've ridden most of the trails in Minnesota and in Europe as well, and the Mesabi Trail outshines them all with its scenery and variety."

Nearly 800 bicyclists from throughout the Midwest and Canada on Saturday, August 1 will ride what's arguably one of the most beautifully designed recreational trails in the 11th annual Great River Energy-Mesabi Trail Tour.

The family-friendly tour along the Mesabi Trail offers riders the option of riding 11 miles, 25 miles, 53 miles, or 72 miles.

Segments start in Coleraine, Nashwauk, Buhl, and Virginia. Rest stops along the route offer food, refreshments and entertainment. All of the segments finish at the Mesabi Station trailhead in Eveleth where a picnic and outdoor concert is held.

"It's all about promoting the trail, our region, and bringing people back here who normally wouldn't visit the region," said Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg, director of the Great River Energy-Mesabi Trail Tour and executive director of Club Mesabi, an Iron Range bicycling organization. "It's about showing off the area and all the great little towns that we have."

The Mesabi Trail is a 120 mile-long paved recreational area that traverses the Iron Range. When complete, the trail will be 132 miles long from Grand Rapids to Ely.

The trail winds its way through thick, green forests, past water-filled abandoned mine pits and along former railroad grades. This year, the ride passes through 11 communities.

Each year, about 40-45 percent of riders are new to the tour, said Nurmi-Wilberg. More than half of the participants reside outside a 60-mile radius of the Mesabi Trail.

According to studies, the tour has an economic impact of about $160,000, said Nurmi-Wilberg.

"The tour gives people a real good take on who we are and what we have here," said Nurmi-Wilberg. "It's about having them come back and leave their tourism dollars here."

Early registration closes Wednesday, July 22.

For additional information, see the Trail Activities and Services tab at www.mesabitrail.com