Bike Tourism and the Business of a Trail Town | Alison Leathers

**How does a town of just over 700 residents generate more than $3 million a year in overnight lodging revenue?** On the *Roads Less Travelled podcast*, **Craig Della Penna**—the first U.S. REALTOR to specialize in homes near rail trails—talks with **Alison Leathers**, manager of **Cottage House Inn** in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Alison shares how bike tourism, rail trails, arts, outdoor recreation, and local businesses working together helped Lanesboro grow from an extremely quiet town into a thriving visitor destination. The conversation covers B&B cash flow, seasonal hospitality, cyclist-friendly amenities, local collaboration, and why successful trail advocacy often starts at the grassroots level. 🎤 Host & Guest **Host: Craig Della Penna** Craig Della Penna is the host of *Roads Less Travelled*, a rail-trail advocate, author, and the first U.S. REALTOR to specialize in properties near rail trails. **Guest: Alison Leathers** Alison Leathers manages her family’s **Cottage House Inn** in Lanesboro, Minnesota. She is the third generation involved in the family lodging business and also serves on local boards and committees focused on her rural community. 💡 What You’ll Learn - How **bike tourism** can support lodging and small businesses in a trail town. - How to evaluate B&B cash flow, seasonality, and room revenue before investing. - How secure bike storage, e-bike charging, parking, and flexible check-in improve the cyclist guest experience. - How hospitality businesses can plan staffing and cash reserves around peak tourism months. - How local innkeepers can share resources and solve guest problems together. - How arts, trails, and outdoor recreation give visitors more reasons to stay longer. - Why successful **trail advocacy** often begins with local community demand. ❓ Key Questions Answered **Q: What should you check before buying a B&B in a trail town?A:** Alison Leathers recommends reviewing cash flow, seasonal demand, and whether room revenue can cover expenses while still allowing the owner to maintain and reinvest in the property. **Q: What amenities are useful for bike tourists staying at an inn?A:** Cottage House Inn offers secure bike storage, e-bike charging, off-street parking, shared spaces, and flexible self-check-in with electronic keypad access. **Q: How can a small town grow tourism around a rail trail?A:** Lanesboro combines rail trails with lodging, arts, outdoor recreation, events, and collaboration among businesses, city government, the chamber, and local organizations. Interested in bike tourism, trail-connected communities, or hospitality near rail trails? Follow *Roads Less Travelled* for more conversations with the people building stronger communities around great paths. **⏱️ Chapters** (00:00) - Intro (00:35) - Meet Alison Leathers (01:20) - From Yellowstone to the Family Inn (03:39) - Root River Trails & Local Inns (05:57) - How Rail Trails Revived Lanesboro (08:48) - Creating a Better Guest Experience (12:03) - Amenities for Bike Tourists (13:46) - Investing in a Trail-Town B&B (16:33) - Managing Seasonal Cash Flow (17:42) - Arts Tourism & Commonweal Theatre (19:29) - Small-Town Leadership & Collaboration (23:27) - Trail Tourism & Local Business (25:00) - Arts, Trails & the Rural Economy (26:53) - Why “It Takes a Village” (28:10) - Leadership Lessons from Agriculture (29:21) - Grassroots Trail Expansion  **💼 Connect with Alison Leathers:** **🌐 Website →** https://www.cottagehouseinn.com/ **🎧 Follow Craig Della Penna:**  **🌐 Website → https://www.northamptonrealtor.com/** **📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/craig.dellapenna/** **📸 Instagram →**https://www.instagram.com/joshzoerhof/**https://www.instagram.com/craigdp413/** **🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdp/** **📌 Don't Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!** #RoadsLessTravelled #CraigDellaPenna #RailTrailRealEstate #NorthamptonRealtor #PioneerValley #BikeTrailHomes #GreenwaySolutions #NewEnglandRealEstate #RailTrails #SugarMapleInn