Biking in the Superior Country is more than just a way to get around—it’s a way of life. From gravel roads to rugged trails to family bike packing along Big Blue’s shoreline, the region offers two-wheeled adventure in every season. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Josh Rizzo, founder of thenxrth.com—an adventure site dedicated to unpaved cycling across three states--Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Josh shares how biking became a lifelong passion, and how he’s started bringing his kids along for multi-day trips. He tells what makes this corner of the world such a rich landscape for two-wheeled travel. Whether you’re a road, gravel, mountain or fat biker, or even just curious about the lure of riding, Josh’s stories are sure to inspire you to hop in the saddle.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

-A Lifelong Love of Cycling Sparked by Childhood Adventures
“My earliest memories in life were on a bike.”
Josh Rizzo’s biking journey began with childhood rides along the Chippewa River State Trail with his dad and sisters—memories that shaped his passion for exploration and outdoor adventures.

-Why the Lake Superior Region Is a Cyclist’s Paradise
Josh highlights the appeal of the Lake Superior region for cyclists: scenic towns, abundant water routes, and endless opportunities for gravel biking, mountain biking, and bikepacking.

-Bikepacking as a Family Tradition—Even With a 10-Month-Old
Josh and his family embrace adventure by bike—proving that even toddlers can be part of meaningful, challenging, and memorable outdoor experiences.

-Fat Biking Brings All Cyclists Together in Winter
Regardless of their summer biking style, winter unites all cyclists—making fat biking a special part of the community and culture in the Northwoods.

-Thenxrth.com Is a Home for Off-Road Cycling Adventure
Josh created the site to help others explore the region he loves, offering route guides, event listings, and community storytelling for all kinds of cyclists.

-Which State Is Best for Biking? It Depends.
“I think Minnesota has the best gravel biking... Wisconsin owns the crown for fat biking... the Upper Peninsula is the adventure capital.”

Resources:

TheNxrth – Gravel, Fat, Mountain & Bikepacking Routes – https://www.thenxrth.com

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/the_nxrth/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thenxrth

Connect With Us:

Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
Learn more: https://cafeimports.com

National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks: https://nplsf.org/donate

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Josh Rizzo share his lifelong passion for biking, what makes the Lake Superior region a cyclist’s dream, and how families of all ages can embrace adventure on two wheels.

Lake Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes, but the water quality is also some of the clearest. Yet, historically, the Lake was often a dumping ground for all kinds of debris. "Out of sight, out of mind” was an all-too-common mindset. Don Fassbender, president of Great Lakes Scuba Diving and Lake Preservation, has made it his life's mission to clean up Lake Superior’s underwater world. With volunteers, including fellow divers and kayakers, he estimates 14 tons of tires have been hauled up from Marquette MIchigan's Lower Harbor. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Don about how his mission started and the mysteries he's found below the surface.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

A Lifelong Passion for Diving Inspired by Jacques Cousteau

“As a young man, I can recall racing home from school just so I wouldn't miss the undersea world of Jacques Cousteau.”

Vintage Diving Equipment Connects Divers More Intimately with the Water

“There's actually less things that can go wrong... Vintage kit would look like a tank, a regulator, some fins, maybe a wetsuit and a mask, and then you're off. No computers, no fancy gauges.”

Tons of Trash are Hidden Beneath Lake Superior

“We removed, what, 14 tons of tires out of Marquette Lower Harbor alone over a period of about five years. And there's still a lot of trash down there.”

Removing Underwater Debris is Complex and Laborious

Heavy items, poor visibility, and underwater hazards make cleanup efforts extremely challenging.

Why Tires are Prevalent in Lake Superior

“Tires were used as boat bumpers for years and years…as weather wears them down…they would just string another one up in its place.”

Community Involvement is Essential for Successful Cleanups

Volunteers on land, in boats, and even kayaks significantly contribute to cleanup missions.

Safety and Equipment Needs Drive Fundraising Efforts

Specialized gear and safety equipment are critical for diver safety and efficiency.

Surprising Finds Beneath the Surface Tell Unique Stories

“One of my favorite finds, a little diamond ring that was tied to a rock with a shoelace.” Every item retrieved from Lake Superior carries its own history, some humorous, some mysterious.

Resources:

• Great Lakes Scuba Divers
  • https://greatlakesscubadivers.com
• Connect with Diver Don on Facebook
  • https://www.facebook.com/DiverDonScuba
  • https://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesScubaDivers
• Contact Don directly with cleanup leads
  • Email: president@greatlakesscubadivers.com

Connect With Us:

• Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
  • Learn more: https://cafeimports.com
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks:
  • https://nplsf.org/donate

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Diver Don Fassbender share firsthand experiences from beneath Lake Superior’s waters, the incredible teamwork required for environmental preservation, and how you can help protect the Great Lakes.

"If you didn’t grow it, you’ve got to mine it,” says John Jaszczak, Director and Curator of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. Since 1838--just after Michigan became a state--geologists and miners have been collecting rock and mineral specimens as the first American Mining Rush began. Since 1855, those specimens were housed at Michigan Technological University, then known as Michigan College of Mines, making it one of the oldest museums not only in Michigan, but the Great Lakes region. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with John about the museum origins and what a visitor can find there.

Key Takeaways + Notable Quotes:

The region’s history—from Indigenous use to mining booms to today’s tourism—stems from its globally unique native copper deposit.

“The reason we’re here is because of the geology. And because of copper in particular.”

What began as a teaching collection for Michigan Tech’s School of Mines became a public museum in 1902.

“The collection started in 1885 when the university started offering courses in mineralogy.”

From discovery tales to global expeditions, the museum presents minerals as more than geology.

“Some specimens have scientific stories. Some have personal stories. Some have adventure stories.”

Under ultraviolet light, otherwise ordinary-looking minerals burst into color.

“That’s the part where most people say, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect this.’”

John’s lifelong fascination with minerals led him to volunteer, then direct, the museum alongside his career in physics.

“I started collecting minerals when I was probably five or six years old... and I just loved it.”

From working with scientists around the world to publishing in mineralogical journals, the museum plays an active role in global discovery.

“There's something magical about being the first to describe and name something.”

The Keweenaw’s native copper is on display in museum-quality form that you can’t find anywhere else.

“We have the world’s best specimens of copper. No question about it.”

Resources:

• Visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum: https://museum.mtu.edu
• Explore Native Copper in the Keweenaw: https://www.mindat.org/museum-139.html
• Keweenaw National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/kewe/index.htm

Connect With Us:

• Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability.
  Learn more: https://cafeimports.com
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks:
  https://nplsf.org/donate

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Dr. John Jaszczak share the rich history of Michigan’s native copper legacy, how the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum became one of the nation’s premier mineral museums, and why its specimens continue to captivate visitors, researchers, and collectors from around the world.