Nature Valley Bicycle Festival Concludes in Stillwater

Stillwater is known for its historical downtown setting and beautiful natural landscapes, notably the scenic views of the St. Croix River.

However, for the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival, the 300 expected participants may have another opinion about Stillwater and the final stage of the five-day event.

“It’s a really fun ride, but it’s tough,” Colton Barrett, 20, of North St. Paul said. “There’s that hill and it can make or break it for you.”

That hill he mentioned is Chilkoot Hill in Stillwater, one of the final hills in the race and one that so many, even the elite riders have a hard time getting up.

“We have seen some world-class riders not able to finish,” Jean Freidl, who handles public relations for the festival, said. “It is a beautiful layout, but Chilkoot Hill is something else.

“It’s challenging and Chilkoot is one of the biggest hills the riders will face in the country and that is saying something.”

In order to get up Chilkoot Hill, one’s fate may rest on the others ahead of them. A slipup, fall or bicycle malfunction by a leader could cause a domino effect on the hill.

Riders trailing have to be observant and attentive to what is going on ahead of them even though the speeds going up the hill are not at a rapid pace.

“You are only going about two miles-per-hour, but one person can make a huge difference for the others behind,” Barrett said. “If you get caught up in the mess, you might be in trouble.

“If that is the case, you have to be a good climber to make up ground or else you might be out of the race.”

The final stage of the festival takes place on June 19 and once again, is expected to draw another great field of riders.

Individuals ride together in teams, such as Barrett, who is on the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Optum Health Pro Cycling team.

“They needed someone like me on their team and I was happy to join,” Barrett said. “I had some good times last year and was asked by them to join this year.”

Originally a speed skater, Barrett started racing because his coach thought it would be good training, he said.

Barrett caught on quick and garnered the attention of local teams and since the age of 14, he has been riding competitively and has found the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival as one of the strongest events locally.

“You just have to keep finding races around here,” he said. “It keeps you going and pushing yourself and this is one of the best ones I can race in around town.”

Between the men’s and women’s races on the final day of the event, there is a children’s ride called Kids Helping Kids Ride.

It is for those who are unable to ride and are part of the Children’s Hospital Pain and Palliative Care program.

“There is the competitive part of the race, but we also have the kids down there, too,” Freidl said. “It is important that we have the youth involved and helping for a nice cause.”

Everyone child, 12 years-old or younger who participates will earn a medal for being in the race.

For those that are not racing, there is plenty to do in Stillwater. If not cheering on riders as a spectator, the city has plenty of restaurants, shops and other activities to do.

Being that the race is held next weekend, temperatures in June often reach high levels, so cold refreshments are often in high demand.

“Those ice cream shops in Stillwater are really busy afterward,” Freidl said. “It gets so hot down there that those places get packed and with the crowd being so great there and growing, it is good for the event and the city.”

“There are a lot of people and they really help you out at the race,” Barrett said. “They cheer you on and are right there, throwing water on you, which is nice because it is so hot.

“All of them just add to how great the race is.”

June 15 is the first day of the event and begins in St. Paul. It goes to Cannon Falls, Minneapolis and Menomonie, Wis. before the last stage in Stillwater.

In Stillwater, the women’s race begins at 11:45 a.m. and is followed by the men’s at 1:30 p.m.

An expo and stunt rider show begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., shortly after the men’s race finishes.