Panjshir Tour to Bike Through Eagan

A bike tour will begin and end in Eagan on Saturday, benefiting an organization that supports projects in Afghanistan.

The tour, called Panjshir Tour-Minneapolis, is one of several around the country. Twin Cities metro-area riders will begin and end in Eagan, and will be among rides in New York, Washington, D.C., and others.

“Any country where the culture suppresses the freedom and equality of any group or subgroup affects the culture of the entire world. Trade, economics and relationships are affected by the unequal voice in policies of the country,” said former Minnesota state senator Jim Carlson in a news release. Carlson will be riding in the tour on Saturday. “Many Minnesotans have links to Afghanistan and sympathies here will put more pressure on changing things there. The 2011 Panjshir Tour – Minneapolis is an effective way for us Minnesotans to combine our passion for bikes with our passion for effecting social change. ”

The tour is 15 miles and begins at Eagan Central Park's pavilion. The course follows Big Rivers Regional Trail, goes through Lilydale, then to Shepherd Road Trail, to Fort Snelling and then finishes back at the Eagan Community Center, according to a news release.

The cost of the tour is $35, and all proceeds go to Mountain2Mountain, a nonprofit helping women and children in Afghanistan. A helmet is required, and participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Afterward, a gathering will take place at in Eagan.

If you want to know more, you can go to 2011 Panjshir Tour - Minneapolis page on Facebook.