We actually ended up being able to get our Iron Range tour completed in mid- October. Was a little chilly, but the leaves were still gorgeous. I remembered the Mesabi being a little hilly, but definitely didn't remember that the climbs were 9% plus in several places, lol. We met almost no one the entire weekend. Unlike some of our other short tours, and perhaps because we were technically "off season" there was not a whole lot for amenities in the little towns that we passed through, at least by and large. We had to bike through a few miles of Hibbing to get to our hotel, very pretty residential streets. Had a nice meal, a good room, rinse/repeat for day 2. Very enjoyable. I'd definitely like to do Hibbing east to the end of the Mesabi next time.