Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Statewide Blog
Dan Kraker

Duluth making gains on 100-mile mountain bike trail

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A group of Duluth cyclists is 35 miles along on its ambitious quest to build a 100-mile single-track mountain bike trail across the city called the Duluth Traverse.

traverse

Last year the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) opened five miles of new trails. This year the group plans to open 20 additional miles by July, said COGGS Chair Adam Sundberg, a chiropractor in West Duluth.

But the trails are expensive to build; as much as $40,000 per mile if built by a professional trail contractor, which the group has to hire to qualify for state and federal grants.

COGGS has received a $250,000 state Legacy Fund grant, a $150,000 federal recreational trails grant, and gets $100,000 annually from the City of Duluth. That local investment is part of a larger strategy embraced by Duluth Mayor Don Ness to build trails and other outdoor quality of life amenities designed to lure young, educated professionals.

COGGS also just received a $30,000 matching grant for its upcoming fundraising gala from Duluth company Loll Designs to hire a larger local trail crew.

At the current pace, Sundberg estimates the entire trail could be completed in five years, at a cost of about $3 million. While Park City, Utah boasts over 100 miles of mountain bike trails, the trails are outside of town. The Duluth Traverse will be a ribbon of trail along the ridge that runs the length of the city.

"Everyone who lives in Duluth is going to be within five minutes of some part of the Duluth Traverse when it's all done," said Sundberg. "That's what's unpreceneded."