I rode BAM three times over the years (2007, 2008, and 2012). This ride does not go across the state but rather does a loop in a different part of the state each year. Riders go 60-80 miles a day for four days and start and end at the same spot. The first time I rode the ride it made a loop through the central part of the state, starting and ending at St. Joseph. The second time it went through the north central part of the state (I don’t recall where it started and ended). The third time I rode it, it started and ended at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This was my favorite BAM as my lady-friend, Lee, went along and it was a bit farther north in the state. Besides great scenery we got to see numerous statues of Paul Bunyan, one of his sweetheart, Lucette Kensack (in, appropriately, Hackensack). Although we saw none of his ox—Babe the Blue Ox–I’m sure there are several around the state. And if we had ridden past a giant blue ox I’m absolutely certain I would have taken a photo.
One year BAM (I think it was just this year—2019) went through the southern part of the state starting and ending in Albert Lea.
BAM is a great ride, a day shorter than TRAM (also a great ride), and is a great way to see various parts of the state.
The organizers limit the numbers of riders to 275 and the registration fills up fast so if you plan to go, check out their website and register early.
