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Robert Hanson

I am a retyred* professor at St. Olaf College (as of Sept. 2023) living in Northfield, Minnesota, and an intermediate level cyclist who likes a challenge wherever I find myself, including at right here at home in southeastern Minnesota.

My bicycle is a 2022 "hybrid fitness class" KHS Vitamin C. The 50/34T crank set and 9-speed 11-36T Shimano CS-HG200-9 is loads of fun, primarily due to the huge ranges on both ends.

Some of my favorite rides have included a ride along a short section of the Camino de Santiago (Basque Country, Spain) from San Sebastian to Irún and a ride along the coast of the Bay of Biscay from Plenzia to Bermeo and several rides around Bilbao (all in Basque country) some nice day rides near Basel, Geneva, and Lausanne (Switzerland), Cambridge (UK) Montevideo (Uruguay) and a more challenging than expected loop out of Heidelberg, Germany.

Aug 2023 brought me to Australia for a professional conference and a three-day loop from Melbourne west and around the Great Ocean Road. A good challenge! At one point I was side-by-side with a curious kangaroo that slowed down to hop with me and then took off and left me in the dust. All I got was a blurry picture of his butt.

But the rides out of Northfield through the beautiful Minnesota rolling hills and farmlands are peaceful joys as well. The hills south of Northfield and northwest of Faribault are terrific. They are basically the bluffs from the Mississippi River extended westward. Not particularly steep nor high, but they definitely have fun ups and downs. Sort of like doing reps on a bicycle.

When not bicycling, I also enjoy piloting gliders out of Stanton Airfield (near Northfield; Minnesota Soaring Association member since 1994) and playing the violin in quartets. I am principal second violin in the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra.

You will find here over 350 tours I have completed starting mostly at Central Park in Northfield, covering about 5000 miles.

My KHS odometer hit 6001 miles May 5, 2025.

*Not a typo. :)
stolaf.edu/people/hansonr

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went for a hike

2 days ago

Hike at Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate

Time

0h36m

Distance

1.43km

Speed

4.9km/h

Ascent

40m

Descent

10m

and like this.

2 days ago

Komoot is failing repeatedly and either halting or improperly restarting activities. Totally annoying.

went for a bike ride

July 9, 2026

Northfield Central Park to Raven's Nest Cafe via Dennison Cannon Falls Randolph Old Iron Bridge

This takes the new Mill Towns State Trail segment along Canada Ave.

Time

3h27m

Distance

64.8km

Speed

21.2km/h

Ascent

370m

Descent

370m

likes this.

July 9, 2026

Trying Canada Ave Mill Towns State Trail. Very nice but about 1.5 mi longer. Nicely rounded the ride up to 40 miles

went for a bike ride

July 7, 2026

Northfield evening loop for 10000 miles

Actually a fine loop for any number of miles. But this one was special. See comments and click on the photo

Time

0h47m

Distance

15.1km

Speed

20.1km/h

Ascent

110m

Descent

110m

likes this.

July 8, 2026

Well, this was the day. This short ride was the one that sent the Bontrager odometer over the top to read 0 miles. Once in a lifetime? Not so sure now. Probably.



I bought my KHS Vitamin C in August of 2022 at Farmstead Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota, four years ago, It was just after the pandemic, and

went for a bike ride

July 7, 2026

Northfield Central Park to St Olaf Tostrud via Old Dutch rd and MN19

Ride terminated with flat tire

Time

0h48m

Distance

15.4km

Speed

23.2km/h

Ascent

110m

Descent

90m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

and like this.

went for a bike ride

July 6, 2026

Northfield Central Park to water St via Wall St and Woodley

Time

0h40m

Distance

14.0km

Speed

21.2km/h

Ascent

110m

Descent

110m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

and like this.

went for a bike ride

July 5, 2026

Northfield Central Park to the Old Iron Bridge and return

Supremely nice trail!

Time

0h33m

Distance

10.2km

Speed

21.3km/h

Ascent

80m

Descent

80m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

, and like this.

went for a bike ride

July 3, 2026

Northfield Central Park to Ravens nest Cafe via Dundas and Lonsdale

Time

2h36m

Distance

50.6km

Speed

22.7km/h

Ascent

260m

Descent

270m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

likes this.

July 3, 2026

Whew! A warm 27 C day. Beautiful ride with a light mostly south wind. And lots of sun

went for a bike ride

July 1, 2026

Northfield farmstead bike shop to the Ravens Nest Cafe scenic route through St Olaf Tostrud

Time

1h47m

Distance

6.88km

Speed

20.7km/h

Ascent

50m

Descent

50m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

and like this.

July 1, 2026

Hurray. Derailleur hanger #206 did the job! Thanks to for the loaner bike and lift to Farmstead after the flat tire just a block from his house. Thanks to Greg Neis at Farmstead for his JIT work to replace the hanger and fix the flat. Probably could have done that myself. My pleasure to support local businesses.

went for a bike ride

June 27, 2026

Northfield Loop for blueberry picking at Silkey Gardens

Mmmmmmmmmm so tasty!

Time

1h12m

Distance

13.5km

Speed

22.1km/h

Ascent

80m

Descent

80m
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

likes this.

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