tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62631201896525541312024-03-13T11:02:09.203-05:00MSP Trails - Twin Cities Bike, Ski and SkateMSP XC ski, skijoring, bicycle and inline skating trail notes. A personal blog.JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-31490341779391163472023-05-06T20:43:00.000-05:002023-05-06T20:43:21.475-05:00Utepils BrewPub Sunday Rides (Updated)<p>In our weird post-web post-blog world Utepils brewpub (<a href="https://g.page/Utepils_Brewing_Co?share">225 Thomas Ave N #700, Minneapolis, MN 55405</a>) ride information is only available on a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/UtepilsCycling">Facebook group</a>. They do a ride most Sunday mornings weather permitting. The groups may vary depending on rider volume and leader availability but there's usually a Rec level group for both road and singletrack. In winter there are often 2-3 groups for fat bike rides.</p><p>Here's the Facebook description as of May 2023, emphases mine.</p><blockquote><p>As you can see below, we are putting where each ride will be gathering in the parking lot prior to each ride. This will help alleviate the joy of everyone trying to cross paths with their bikes as each ride departs.</p><p>We are implementing a few new rules this year. No Burleys, trailers, or pets on rides this year except for the designated Burley rides we will be doing occasionally throughout the year. The groups are getting too big and it creates a difficult environment to maintain. Cargo bikes are allowed and in Rec ride only. If bringing a kid in a cargo bike, please have an enclosed seat for the child. E-BIKES: Only ride in a group you could normally ride in/be comfortable in with a non-motorized bike. E-Bikes allow any rider to jump into any one of our rides. But that does not mean the rider has experience with a paceline or comfort with reaction times. Helmets always required!</p><p>PARKING: If you are driving in, please park on the street or in the upper lot nearest Glenwood and bike down to the parking lot. Between yoga also starting at 10am and the brewery opening at 11am, there simply aren't enough parking spots.</p><p>BIKE PARKING: You are always ok bringing your bike back to the patio if you do not have a lock/ability to store your bike in your car after the ride. However, we cannot lean then against the fence and block the rear walkway anymore. <i>Utepils is instructing us to bring our bikes to the back of the patio in the lower bowl area and park our bikes back there</i>.</p><p>Key info:</p><p>Meet at Utepils Brewery at 9:30/9:45am</p><p>Announcements start at 9:55am</p><p>Rides begin at 10:00am</p><p>Waiver link (must be signed once per calendar year): <a href="https://forms.gle/7uWwCeJ6ShsYbHv27">https://forms.gle/7uWwCeJ6ShsYbHv27</a></p><p>ROAD RIDES</p><p>Sport (Bay 1): 20-21 mph paceline with minimal stops. 30-35 mile route</p><p>Sport Light (Bay 3): 18-20 mph paceline with minimal stops. 25-30 mile route</p><p>Sport Ultra Light (Bay 5): 16-18 mph paceline with a few stops. 20-25 mile route</p><p>Rec (Parking spots nearest tracks): 11-14 mph group ride. 15-20 mile route</p><p>MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES</p><p>Sport (Retaining wall): Have experience mountain biking and can handle majority of obstacles in Theo/Loppet trail systems</p><p>Sport Light (Office building): Know what you are doing but not trying to set any speed records</p><p>Rec (Auto shop): Newer/want to go at a more casual pace. Comfortable on some obstacles</p></blockquote><p></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-87179071419437396492022-08-24T22:01:00.017-05:002023-09-17T19:56:09.787-05:00Sherman Lake and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes singletrack (near Lino Lakes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsIfo9Ha_ePEwF3-8QjThPYWF7H8It9j6dPSPhVkRlQGOKeyTAdW8EsWp8GL8yh6Nu_Ys0PR-wG2cVMDj2wcFsNwZ9u6MJRd66g1E1ZatnvuJm854_BUBAtgdK23lEedHqTzQ66LZxvXmPBYhA902a_8Ousa2YWRzeLdrdRChZo3i650SYsg1l7K0UKt9/s828/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-17%20at%207.53.57%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="828" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsIfo9Ha_ePEwF3-8QjThPYWF7H8It9j6dPSPhVkRlQGOKeyTAdW8EsWp8GL8yh6Nu_Ys0PR-wG2cVMDj2wcFsNwZ9u6MJRd66g1E1ZatnvuJm854_BUBAtgdK23lEedHqTzQ66LZxvXmPBYhA902a_8Ousa2YWRzeLdrdRChZo3i650SYsg1l7K0UKt9/w400-h319/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-17%20at%207.53.57%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The above image shows both the Rice Creek and Sherman Lake singletrack trailheads and some parking spots. The Centerville Boat Launch parking comes with a $7 vehicle fee.</p><p>These trails were new in 2022. I did them with some young novice riders and they worked well. The overall system is larger than it looks and mixes a new modern flow trail area with legacy singletrack and many bandit trails. As of May 2023 they are not yet in Trailforks but the <a href="https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7064458/sherman-lake-trail">Sherman Lake section is in MTB Project</a>, they have <a href="https://www.morcmtb.org/rice-creek-chain-of-lakes-1">a MORC page</a> (I think map is from MTB Project so only shows Sherman Lake today), a Trailbot entry as "Rice Creek Chain of Lakes" and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RiceCreekSingletrack">Facebook Page</a>. There's a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/5445154772186210">Facebook Group for volunteers</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.nowbikes-fitness.com/articles/rides-events-pg161.htm">Now Bikes (Arden Hills?)</a> runs a semi-regular Sunday morning ride from the Rice Creek Elementary parking lot (The pedestrian bridge is technically closed for repair summer 2023).</p><p>Trail info: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/rice-creek-chain-of-lakes-mountain-bike-loop">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/rice-creek-chain-of-lakes-mountain-bike-loop</a>. </p><p>Description: <a href="https://www.anokacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/21084/Rice-Creek-Single-Track-Trail">https://www.anokacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/21084/Rice-Creek-Single-Track-Trail</a></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p>"many miles of trails in at least five different nodes of the park. The trails are heavily wooded and surrounded by lakes. There are sections where biking or hiking on paved trails is required to get to the next node."</p></blockquote><p>Official trailhead per Google Maps: 45°09'47.7"N 93°06'16.4"W. I've never parked there however.</p><p>We park at the Kelling woods: 45°9′48″ N 93°6′43″ W entrance. Follow the old dirt road past the closed gate (to keep out cars) and go straight on. It's a pleasant fun trail that branches to some bandit trails but keep going straight and come out on the paved trail. Turn left and in a short time you come to a purpose built system. It's flowy and loopy with some good starter climbs. I recommend two laps. Although it's a green novice trail it does have an optional gap jump!</p><p>If conditions are dry you can park just a bit to the west at the Rice Creek Canoe Launch. There's a winding trail that will also take you to the formal system. I actually prefer this route but it's often quite wet and even underwater in places. So only good on dry days.</p><p>Some comments from a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/971086776310266">2022 Facebook post</a>:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">There is another terrain park on the other side of the golf course. Following what is labeled as F Street on the map (actually all bike trail), the other terrain park is between Centerville lake and Sherman lake. There are also 5 single track trails between the 2 terrain parks. I make a loop from my house to hit the 7 features and takes about 1.5 hours, about 12 miles.</p></blockquote><p>And a map from the same post by David L (ride recording)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDudM0Q630PUHhOQX_APhhoqVudgUDSTIfk6wIa0jMkKfK9WhkTqEnU08HXukKKVxEERKUz8lrXAk7jbD5H4JzNPCCvPypBnCI7i0xBn5-fWwrLyUT7AnqfeEbkt_FlwNytF6nJbpZqybVP-TXFfcrhZ-8SslyVbsZUnC-s3kqjN78lR-SokrKZr0OA/s1080/riderecordingricecreek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1080" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDudM0Q630PUHhOQX_APhhoqVudgUDSTIfk6wIa0jMkKfK9WhkTqEnU08HXukKKVxEERKUz8lrXAk7jbD5H4JzNPCCvPypBnCI7i0xBn5-fWwrLyUT7AnqfeEbkt_FlwNytF6nJbpZqybVP-TXFfcrhZ-8SslyVbsZUnC-s3kqjN78lR-SokrKZr0OA/s320/riderecordingricecreek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update 6/15/2023</b> from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNMountainBikeEnthusiasts/posts/6239498702802354">a Facebook thread</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sean Berry (trail steward):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Rice Lake Singletrack can be accessed from Aqua Lane, riding the paved trail south to the trail entrance on your left, which is well marked and has a gate and signage. If you get to the long pedestrian bridge, you’ve gone too far south.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can also access it by going north from <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BuSDBPuExEdrGCac8">Rice Lake Elementary School</a> (575 Birch St, Lino Lakes, MN 55014), over the pedestrian bridge, and another quarter mile or so north: it would then be on your right</div></blockquote><p>Anonimo M:</p><p></p><blockquote>... park at Laurie Lamotte Park, plenty of parking and <i>easy to get to from 35e</i>. Follow the paved trail around to the Sherman lake trails (0.6 miles) … take the bandit trails to the other trails by Aqua lane.</blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmwBR8dY5J8Y7YPN-WkaiNxTCmrL05Ecc1eZDsGroWtmPg80ydeHbJtVPPiZhgHgK97O5HMqOMyFZ3Agv-aPcros0dMHqTf6wBVJS6UlXQMPFCRFPywtpmBcsLS-USQiVmw9ZZgVFfQ5t52RW5_UFm1IDmlE_He4FpFL0Gevs0MJRwWCMWtRggMHlcg/s216/354032652_10159271134297256_3134968492797625836_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmwBR8dY5J8Y7YPN-WkaiNxTCmrL05Ecc1eZDsGroWtmPg80ydeHbJtVPPiZhgHgK97O5HMqOMyFZ3Agv-aPcros0dMHqTf6wBVJS6UlXQMPFCRFPywtpmBcsLS-USQiVmw9ZZgVFfQ5t52RW5_UFm1IDmlE_He4FpFL0Gevs0MJRwWCMWtRggMHlcg/s16000/354032652_10159271134297256_3134968492797625836_n.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update 9/17/2023 - Sherman Lake</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today a friend and I got to the Sherman Lake trail. We parked at the boat launch; there's a $7 vehicle charge to enter the park but entry is free on a bike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelar71MGXnaYcBzToHqtVmyEbMNWS_2YH0k42cMk-fSWInmz_ws97NfTQkOzOvD9n6XjC4sM2wHXuvYlyTlHXoUsV2HeB7ogZsloU_m-leHcJpafYHtKHMUh-SaPIzzbJf9Z_KZf2xMba-tqV8WhUIcFrAUGc5ztThQle8HWxKxeodI7NQtQt5jYv5ivz/s4032/IMG_5390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelar71MGXnaYcBzToHqtVmyEbMNWS_2YH0k42cMk-fSWInmz_ws97NfTQkOzOvD9n6XjC4sM2wHXuvYlyTlHXoUsV2HeB7ogZsloU_m-leHcJpafYHtKHMUh-SaPIzzbJf9Z_KZf2xMba-tqV8WhUIcFrAUGc5ztThQle8HWxKxeodI7NQtQt5jYv5ivz/s320/IMG_5390.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The coordinates of the trailhead are: 45°09'24.3"N 93°04'05.5"W, https://maps.app.goo.gl/AKzdeEib8byWsPjD8.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trail is about 1.8 miles and it's now my favorite child and novice trail in the metro. The pine forest smells great, looks great, and has a nice view of one of the lakes. It's a flowy trail that's well maintained and fun for anyone to ride but especially inviting to beginning riders. My next novice recommendation is the neighboring Rice Creek singletrack. Then Carver in Woodbury and Salem Hills near Inver Grove.</div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-18443761977815406482022-07-04T19:43:00.001-05:002022-07-04T19:49:36.073-05:00Two 40 mile ride variations on riding Minneapolis metro<p>This weekend I did two separate 40 miles rides with different friends. Both were excellent and there are opportunities to combine them to create new routes.</p><p>The first ride was supposed to a rerun of <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2019/10/sunday-ride-30-miles.html">a 30 mile ride</a> but I zigged where I was supposed to zag so it was different but also a lot of fun. It was about 40 miles - <a href=" https://ridewithgps.com/trips/95373242">ridewithgps.com 95373242</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VphVVCO4x8uSz-ukCgHd9ZlaQj0tRWr-bykSaSM0_1DWAQmFU7xK8SDbArAoqQ8IQUC_JQz2mkE_XyQIGGVXspTWE0FrdW8iDuGYpEZIkQEVvZXuAP9iPYssu1JzIURM9giwFF66noqHJUhHO5-LfU-1Y_CROZJUKLCLOPVSYhTVkGHUIcSC-3SfNQ/s570/trip-95373242-map-full.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VphVVCO4x8uSz-ukCgHd9ZlaQj0tRWr-bykSaSM0_1DWAQmFU7xK8SDbArAoqQ8IQUC_JQz2mkE_XyQIGGVXspTWE0FrdW8iDuGYpEZIkQEVvZXuAP9iPYssu1JzIURM9giwFF66noqHJUhHO5-LfU-1Y_CROZJUKLCLOPVSYhTVkGHUIcSC-3SfNQ/w400-h400/trip-95373242-map-full.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Comments on this route:</p><p>1. Minnehaha trail surfaces are a bit rough in places but not bad.</p><p>2. We made some false turns trying to get around a detour south of Cedar Lake but they did lead us to a Cedar Lake beach I'd never seen (and that looks like a great place to launch a canoe).</p><p>3. The section just across the river east of the Victory Flagpole is confusing on the map, but just follow the trail that starts south along the river, it quickly goes east.</p><p>4. Deming Heights park is start of a good climb. There's a cheat to bypass by going a few blocks north and returning after the hill.</p><p>5. I misread my phone map when I made the right turn onto 29th ave. I really wanted to head south on NE Arthur street parallel to Stinson (Stinson has too many cars). It did lead me into a quite interesting approach to NE Minneapolis though. From NE MPLS we entered the river road north of where the bike trail starts; if I did that section again I'd go a bit south on quiet streets so we entered at the bike trail start.</p><p>6. I love the little known (and quite expensive) trail that starts at the UMN rowing facility and ends with a fun climb up the bluff.</p><p>The second ride <a class="gofk2cf1 t5a262vz py34i1dx" href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40068258">(ridewithgps.com 40068258)</a> included a Saint Paul Great River trail favorite (drop down to Yacht Club) then took the river to Greenway and did a city look, then over to Como Park and south on the under appreciated <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2022/06/family-ride-southwest-saint-paul-to.html">Grigg's north-south route</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkx8USoIkQFDWHvHvlfGFW-uP7D3g69-VjXj3Rr4jiFIIdQQpmXqFKG7m1z7hcU-fSzXL4Djxv8ZH_eHzMxQkv13v_O6A9OvsXvChIH4wKEbT7AboJ9f9BmHAfU3Mpmh_WIUP7ssfu_Qp6m_q1ZBOKMrSwUnfLAP5iVuLZBPgTnmISIKUfXQew091Jw/s570/40068258.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkx8USoIkQFDWHvHvlfGFW-uP7D3g69-VjXj3Rr4jiFIIdQQpmXqFKG7m1z7hcU-fSzXL4Djxv8ZH_eHzMxQkv13v_O6A9OvsXvChIH4wKEbT7AboJ9f9BmHAfU3Mpmh_WIUP7ssfu_Qp6m_q1ZBOKMrSwUnfLAP5iVuLZBPgTnmISIKUfXQew091Jw/w400-h400/40068258.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>We did close to 40 miles. There was minimal overlap with yesterday's 40 miler [1] with <span class="bnpdmtie diy96o5h" spellcheck="false">Penny</span> and <span class="bnpdmtie diy96o5h" spellcheck="false">Matt</span> but there are lots of variations one could make combining the two. A few observations...</p><p>1. This was entirely on car-free trails/transitway or pleasant low traffic streets. Incredible to be able to do that across two metro areas. MSP rocks.<br /><br />2. Excluding a few short stretches the trail surfaces were excellent (Greenway restored! Great River lovely. Mendota bridge amazing!) and the multi-million dollar bike bridges are a miracle. Thank you government.<br /><br />3. I did not see the homeless encampments we had grown accustomed to.<br /><br />4. We had to work to pass people with motors :-).<br /><br />5. Como trail is a game changer for east-west travel and creating fun routes.<br /><br />6. The UMN transit way is an amazing heads-down on-the-drops hammer stretch that zooms across the industrial metro (and connects to Como trail).<br /><br />7. The detour around light rail construction to get to Cedar Lake and Theo goes through a neat neighborhood and over the Cedar-Isles channel. I need to schedule a weekend for Emily and I to paddle there.<br /><br />8. Utepils is a good stop on this route (but no food truck today).</p><p>9. I learned the route from Utepils into MPLS around the baseball field to the river from a Utepils rec ride. It's a great trick, note the left turn into the MPLS farmer's market.<br /></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-57052734072739330432022-06-19T13:33:00.002-05:002022-06-19T13:38:40.817-05:00Family ride: Southwest Saint Paul to Como Park Pavillion<p>[Dang, realize I <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2021/07/macgroveland-to-como-park-connects-to.html">wrote the same post a year ago</a>! This version has more detail.]</p><p>After several iterations this is the best route I've come up with for getting from Southwest Saint Paul (Macalester-Groveland, Highland, etc) to Como Park Pavillion (and the relatively new Como trails):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwPYIP1W89nL6Uk7CQ5DvHqrzhbVc93EXw81SZks_6mUXsK8TdqGsYNMUORP_k4VkhBZ0AqiSCmbIg51FgUjwZF_-jdBPPYpxnqKeLnkDTwS1w3uYNrpGE4MiWOf27q5DbAJH2-Kd09c0nX3Z2za-RjYiwq1U7fXbgzz7aVn7dXRnAvzRbzhQa4SaLA/s651/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-19%20at%201.14.25%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwPYIP1W89nL6Uk7CQ5DvHqrzhbVc93EXw81SZks_6mUXsK8TdqGsYNMUORP_k4VkhBZ0AqiSCmbIg51FgUjwZF_-jdBPPYpxnqKeLnkDTwS1w3uYNrpGE4MiWOf27q5DbAJH2-Kd09c0nX3Z2za-RjYiwq1U7fXbgzz7aVn7dXRnAvzRbzhQa4SaLA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-06-19%20at%201.14.25%20PM.png" width="160" /></a><br />(<a href="https://ridewithgps.com/trips/93931719?privacy_code=PEm8XT2RGaR2Ihrv">ride with gps</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/igf7Vi9X5vWjgBMBA">google maps</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This route has minimal elevation changes and is safer than other North-South routes I've tried. It's about 5 miles. Some notes along the way:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cross Snelling at Jefferson, need the light for a family</li><li>Then immediately go north to Stanford because the Jefferson bike route sucks</li><li>Left on Syndicate, then Summit to get across Ayd Mill, then N on Griggs</li><li>Keep going north through Dunning playground, the bike path goes to a secret bridge over 94</li><li>Then Griggs again to right on Van Buren (Blair also good) and left on Dunlap. </li><li>Right on W Seminary (Englewood works too) and left on Lexington bike path (it's nice here). Follow bike path to Como. (If you want just cross Como heading North then take the bike path that goes north (don't cross Lexington) -- it goes underneath Lexington in a bit.</li></ul></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-12191115444125699612022-05-28T20:49:00.003-05:002022-05-28T20:49:09.702-05:00MSP Inline Skating - MNSkateThe <a href="https://www.skateminnesota.org">Minnesota Inline Skate Club</a> does a regular Thur skate. They have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mninline/">Facebook Group</a> and a <a href="https://www.skateminnesota.org">dedicated web site</a>. I'm a longtime skater with them though it's been hard for me to make skates this year.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082474948912006/">MNSkate is a Facebook only Group</a> that does skates most Mondays. It can be hard to figure out their Facebook Group info (this is a Facebook issue, especially on mobile) so I'm excerpting some info here. It's Current as of May 2022.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=mnskate.manager@gmail.com&ctz=America/Chicago&fbclid=IwAR3hTMCB65yVM8n8hWuQatNvYZ9PWT6jcAInEu7Nl_q7ABYEsgW9UQHHYRE">MNSkate Google Calendar</a></li><li>They <a href="https://www.plotaroute.com/club/mnskate">publish routes on "plotaroute.com"</a> but you need an app to view it</li><li>The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082474948912006/permalink/1324306531395512/">2022 Updates</a> post has details on group plans</li></ul><div>Most of their skates start at 6pm. There's often a Facebook post about skates and the calendar also has starting locations.</div></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-12850077063524433282022-05-20T07:47:00.002-05:002022-05-20T22:25:19.031-05:00The MSP Mississippi river bottom trails(First published 2015, updated May 2020 and May 2022. I haven't updated all of the original text, but check out the 2020 map links at end.)<br />
<br />
Just a quick orientation note on the rather confusing system of interrupted mountain / gravel bike / trail running system more or less along the Mississippi river north and south of I 494. More to come later. For this orientation I’m using River coordinates — so imagine river actually runs N/S and, going N, the left side is always the West bank, right side always East bank. Part of the confusion surrounding these trails is some people use compass north/south and some use river coordinates.<br />
<br />
Fort Snelling State Park doesn’t easily connect to the trail system, there’s a large gap on the west bank due to airport and military zone that’s unlikely to close, to connect you need to climb the bluff and take the I-494 walkway trail to get to the East bank.<br />
<br />
From Upper Fort Snelling (or lower park if climb) <a href="http://mnbiketrailnavigator.blogspot.com/2012/04/fort-snelling-state-parks-river-bottoms.html">you can take Mendota bridge to trail that runs along East bank from Sibley House south to 494</a> (confusingly called the Fort Snelling State Park River Bottoms trail, but it’s easiest to get to from Fort Snelling proper, not the lower State Park or to cross the river to Sibley House area.)<br />
<br />
A mile or so south of Fort Snelling State Park (you can’t get there thanks to restricted military/security zone), on the West Bank, south of 494, there’s a state park visitor center. From that you can do a loop along west bank that crosses at 77 to east bank and returns on 494 — this includes par of the east bank trail. (There used to be an unofficial way to get from near this visitor center to the next trail south on west bank, but I don’t know if that works now.)<br />
<br />
From Old Cedar Ave (9500 Old Cedar Ave South, 55425) you can connect up with <a href="http://mnbiketrailnavigator.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-minnesota-river-bottoms-eastern.html">2 trails on the west bank, one runs north, the other south</a>. This is often called the Bloomington Ferry Road Access Point or “west end” (it’s on west bank) entry point, and this is the trail MORC describes as “<a href="http://www.morcmtb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Minnesota_River_Bottoms">Minnesota River bottoms</a>” (though it’s really just one segment).<br />
<br />
As of May 2020 more frequent flooding has made the trail sandier. Some stream crossing have been washed out or are out for repair (including the famed raft).<br />
<br />
<b>See also</b>:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.morcmtb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Minnesota_River_Bottoms">Minnesota River Bottoms - MORC Wiki</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.msptrails.org/2015/05/mississipi-river-trails-and-especially.html">Mississipi River trails - and especially the urban section</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.msptrails.org/2015/11/mississippi-river-bottoms-trails-by.html">A more extensive review from November 2015</a></li><li><a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2015/11/mississippi-river-bottoms-trails-by.html">Details on some of the more fun parts of the trail between 9 mile creek and Indian Mounds</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Update 2020</b> from a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNRiverBottomsRideReport/permalink/3741241082616628/">Facebook Group post</a>:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Anton Benson's <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F1u_KSd07l5OkP7hbRcWWJLt9JljR0gNfo%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing%26fbclid%3DIwAR3CX1SAKWfFUlBLzVHC1LBzXZkEd11Yl4lmryP8gZcZ8s2LC4lyj7a3IF0&h=AT2njD6i6dnl4wPBebjaGIubd-pRrak4GTJ6O6KBfLm4E8F1rGu6641QwdsJ78SD6rHVpTeU1qQ6NbCVega3qlnzUEEqxV5L7saFC_wRij15Z-WYeIZ3xNnpX7HEukOQE2riE0izeUxBcUYwfu5BZUENVpZYuFiyFQ">GeoPDF of the trail</a>. This can be imported into Avenza.app for iOS and then you can see where you are on the map.</li>
<li>Shawn Bagley's <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fmymaps%2Fviewer%3Fmid%3D1b2XmZJun_nBIMAFon1Ui59oHbRg%26hl%3Den%26fbclid%3DIwAR29NfZzgmlKnjgihkpRt8G9CsCfHRiXPVsSmGPOnj7eBMJYocF7MIrC4gA&h=AT0xnbmD3VCBGYeIN-g3h75IPQl7S1E4-uREuULqQacGSOwoXLzVVPlI2nuKZaqpgrQ5LOwct_pQwqWzfk1Cu3rXPvCqzh3hYgfqisPuWlqNLaSaLz6A4bfHctKLeD2BieGd9E_bd6S4zwxaxi8">Google Map version of the trail system</a></li><li>Kevin's <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/trips/59901587?fbclid=IwAR23cuYFmX0M0eT72ZpHfITNRVk-TOAmiDdsX7-cSDb0yaWxDXcXQJ3Am9E">RideWithGPS map can be exported in multiple formats</a> (note his path is the red line, so he gets around the dreaded bird sanctuary by riding the other side of the river)</li>
</ul><div><b>Update 2022</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/trips/89817003">17-18 mile segment that leaves from parking near Gideon House</a>. It's a relatively new park in 2022, not even well labeled in Google. Has great parking until 10pm. In 2022 the raft is in great shape.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNcw93CwqbZh0bQV416GvEP88-DgEi73-cGWLMTRvhiE5jg3ld9ncLTk6s0Y5LdXhX0cP2w_1qLJFWYiVLeQrFi53RybZEM0Q6TShxhCteptoI4Fft9wA9rMkbXGxJohbPh7yp6lW00ZOzPlZikJS_LZRoZHBJ780Bbyiv09jGq6gfrjL6vBRoloBg/s997/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-20%20at%2010.21.27%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="997" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WNcw93CwqbZh0bQV416GvEP88-DgEi73-cGWLMTRvhiE5jg3ld9ncLTk6s0Y5LdXhX0cP2w_1qLJFWYiVLeQrFi53RybZEM0Q6TShxhCteptoI4Fft9wA9rMkbXGxJohbPh7yp6lW00ZOzPlZikJS_LZRoZHBJ780Bbyiv09jGq6gfrjL6vBRoloBg/w400-h184/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-20%20at%2010.21.27%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-20433613770154542372022-04-22T21:59:00.007-05:002022-04-22T21:59:37.579-05:00St Paul Gravel Rail Trails<p>These take advantage of some gravel along rail trails and some sandy trails. It's a route for wet weather or other conditions where we can't ride dirt. </p><p>The <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39132753">reference St Paul gravel trail.</a> It's about 25 miles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgWR1d0eQUF4JAXxK-RFB9UGtm3_rWhwVbO9QiE0NAdnJyoGWKWOmSukGzBkxQ6oqna2k6mOwlM_csUJTw9IFHrdFuz-ErJWCaGoRzzvAStqYwjPnGfGhXcYwj_SiLICO1iFTsue3uYlSFEJC3090BK7fGGAvk1p0Z5qzBWTejxAN6ZOR4jF4Qnxj_w/s570/route-39132753-map-full.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgWR1d0eQUF4JAXxK-RFB9UGtm3_rWhwVbO9QiE0NAdnJyoGWKWOmSukGzBkxQ6oqna2k6mOwlM_csUJTw9IFHrdFuz-ErJWCaGoRzzvAStqYwjPnGfGhXcYwj_SiLICO1iFTsue3uYlSFEJC3090BK7fGGAvk1p0Z5qzBWTejxAN6ZOR4jF4Qnxj_w/w400-h400/route-39132753-map-full.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>The <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39166757">one I did because a train blocked part of our plan</a>. About 22 miles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3i6-mFpmz_WYKvej5MYELH331AU-q-fQUau_FTPJAGxqZGWglsDhS0EH-ZuO4odP6FY23QMproyFeBr76mzCBBtK74ABVy8SaGmHrmaG4bkuAxSYcYSj0e45i9esxwTuQHcDObTPDh5HqZoHW_x4h9sjeOQbbPKBjD6vVdUdYnMvJOatwhIKUkG2w/s570/route-39166757-map-full.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE3i6-mFpmz_WYKvej5MYELH331AU-q-fQUau_FTPJAGxqZGWglsDhS0EH-ZuO4odP6FY23QMproyFeBr76mzCBBtK74ABVy8SaGmHrmaG4bkuAxSYcYSj0e45i9esxwTuQHcDObTPDh5HqZoHW_x4h9sjeOQbbPKBjD6vVdUdYnMvJOatwhIKUkG2w/w400-h400/route-39166757-map-full.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-65012569592892002682022-03-29T17:40:00.006-05:002022-03-29T17:41:06.308-05:00Minnesota River Bottoms paved loop: 35W to 77<p>There's an emerging paved loop along the MN River Bottoms that can be a good option when dirt trails are too wet to ride. It's possible that one day it will be a good option for inline skating, but as of 2022 I think some parts are too rough or even gravel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpJoIdciZFhxxEB5KFlAjgJvj7YrE2NoDSEf5vhyFDLURiWU76D5uYA4vEFxAaTIImJMTzdOIW8DuoBuvYmzMOT2tU7gokXYLigMu59xrbkG0pqQCe46tM3lnRI9GsLkALPRrc0D-4jq6t51ecXAQshhP1Sr1GXcf9C4jPmr2VBIABeq1k4xm5jUoJA/s646/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-29%20at%205.31.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="646" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpJoIdciZFhxxEB5KFlAjgJvj7YrE2NoDSEf5vhyFDLURiWU76D5uYA4vEFxAaTIImJMTzdOIW8DuoBuvYmzMOT2tU7gokXYLigMu59xrbkG0pqQCe46tM3lnRI9GsLkALPRrc0D-4jq6t51ecXAQshhP1Sr1GXcf9C4jPmr2VBIABeq1k4xm5jUoJA/w400-h294/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-29%20at%205.31.01%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The above screenshot is taken form a <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34791224">RideWith GPS River Bottom route</a>. If you part at the Lyndale lot by I35W bridge you head on paved trails along the MN river. Stay to the right, the fun dirt trails go left to the bluff. Trails run into the MN 77 bridge and that has a bike path that will go across the river. On the other side going downstream there's the dirt trail to Sibley House, but upstream there's a paved trail to 35W. Cross back on the 35W bike trail to the Lyndale parking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beyond 35W upstream is an industrial area, I don't think there's any way to cross it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think the paved trail extends beyond the MN 77 bridge on the north side of the river, so there's an out and back option there to extend the ride distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope to update this post with my tracked ride.</div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-59508687354774727602022-03-26T22:15:00.004-05:002022-03-26T22:15:35.445-05:00Harriet Island, Lilydate, Great River, Fort Snelling, Minnehaha, Crosby Farm Loop<p>This is <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38888670">about 24 miles</a>, a good spring ride on a fat bike. Some dirt, some broken pavement trail, some gravel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR9nhGKFFZPDG6SiAZa1zZtaY_Dx22OuO5NO0o1LEQn-YOFZ5Mm42gPyCpSOkIbq3OPgusICZDGhFFsBeSXWuTivknrZOUzK5uH6YXoIs8Dqxv2XP0dPOo5i2Of4_KWMhY0BBLUtfnXkXypiR6R3xGeq4VMSuTufKpCOt8jlSgo7uaTuR1je8Hu3MFQ/s924/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-26%20at%2010.12.26%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="924" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR9nhGKFFZPDG6SiAZa1zZtaY_Dx22OuO5NO0o1LEQn-YOFZ5Mm42gPyCpSOkIbq3OPgusICZDGhFFsBeSXWuTivknrZOUzK5uH6YXoIs8Dqxv2XP0dPOo5i2Of4_KWMhY0BBLUtfnXkXypiR6R3xGeq4VMSuTufKpCOt8jlSgo7uaTuR1je8Hu3MFQ/w400-h304/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-26%20at%2010.12.26%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>1. Crosby Form dirt trails were prime! Not muddy. </p><p>2. At 44°53′46″ N 93°10′15″ W on trails west of marina there’s an old asphalt path that goes up to Shepherd road across from Crosby. Fun descent, good climb. </p><p>3. There are now singletrack paths along much of the paved trail from Hidden Falls to Crosby. Slowly accumulating over years. </p><p>4. The peninsula by watergate marina has many dirt trails. Now is prime time to explore before they get overgrown. Five years ago just a few.</p><p>5. Highland Bridge development looks great and has a skate/bike park and big park at south end.</p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-4648480990764688502022-02-20T21:30:00.007-06:002022-04-19T21:03:05.957-05:00Bandit trails of Utepils Brewing<p><a href="https://utepilsbrewing.com">Utepils Brewing</a> is a truly excellent brew pub, north Minneapolis landmark with a lovely view of a stream and an active bicycling community - singletrack, road and fat.</p><p>When nearby Theodore Wirth trails are closed the trail rides explore a surprising range of dirt options. I'm going to try to collect a few Strava Maps for posterity. The winter fat bike "bandit" trails are among my favorites -- even more than the superb trails at Theodore Wirth park.</p><p><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/6128396659">Summer ride along rails</a> (click to enlarge) ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWPfLWMe28rH0rmhIIgmOamua9Rt9IJz9IhmnLgrbtZKZTR8_rp_5H9uEzHCm1sbLzh2Kfq4yPMxH2U2uAqg41uuK8h3wbq-kmBkbmn-D8Gt-w1-8HDVHRl9ODH0xEZAOBLB__489X5hnZkMhboAE-49r7kkBeJSFHlxduOMzbEN79x8JVOhzr_FmFJA=s744" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="398" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWPfLWMe28rH0rmhIIgmOamua9Rt9IJz9IhmnLgrbtZKZTR8_rp_5H9uEzHCm1sbLzh2Kfq4yPMxH2U2uAqg41uuK8h3wbq-kmBkbmn-D8Gt-w1-8HDVHRl9ODH0xEZAOBLB__489X5hnZkMhboAE-49r7kkBeJSFHlxduOMzbEN79x8JVOhzr_FmFJA=w214-h400" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/6712830731">Fat Bike winter ride</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some fun paths that go by a school in here. Cross a few rail lines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Cedar Lake East beach is a well known Bohemian beach (bare butt), I think there's one on the east side of Wirth Lake too but that's not for olds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim4Rrj4DJV49VKG3wBs6OiYp150YYRWorxKx4tyJZNWrt8IF8AqeUpeDfsMgF6ujOYCF_0L-YH5dyndI0a6i_5jlqEAiSddzgoflLrxqmEPuFhKRVRZ7gEwmhhZGsQo9M09sYJn4e7_c3MnWWhQ9TmgfhYJDM91D8MtXijD3_Mk5rPwv46nrHLPFlTZw=s798" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="674" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim4Rrj4DJV49VKG3wBs6OiYp150YYRWorxKx4tyJZNWrt8IF8AqeUpeDfsMgF6ujOYCF_0L-YH5dyndI0a6i_5jlqEAiSddzgoflLrxqmEPuFhKRVRZ7gEwmhhZGsQo9M09sYJn4e7_c3MnWWhQ9TmgfhYJDM91D8MtXijD3_Mk5rPwv46nrHLPFlTZw=w338-h400" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/6712794719">Variant of above</a> but satellite view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dense square is a skills park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8y-XMmKvgD1xaJ3XuKCvl7EN3QD1thT_mwsRx_rlUpuFFou2oTW4DGiriIUr-Z_FE0KhqcZvWcSf67j4s9MqRMjaeQ_kJMeA9SJ6Q9X02_cFe_CX-SmurBaEER78AKqHVceFUQKliRD1pXpZXdrXPnMmHE82-V_O2KtTe5QunfLaV7uG2iYm29fcrWQ=s654" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8y-XMmKvgD1xaJ3XuKCvl7EN3QD1thT_mwsRx_rlUpuFFou2oTW4DGiriIUr-Z_FE0KhqcZvWcSf67j4s9MqRMjaeQ_kJMeA9SJ6Q9X02_cFe_CX-SmurBaEER78AKqHVceFUQKliRD1pXpZXdrXPnMmHE82-V_O2KtTe5QunfLaV7uG2iYm29fcrWQ=w365-h400" width="365" /></a></div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/6713300164">And slightly better choice</a><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1bWrJh-L67l9_MWk66dA7j4v9DF9bbeze-swbgZX-JbcFaDvOM5yid5vVZ3MHSLDFxvh73189dwf6a0ntINQdoaVd-oPZ3FGfd5Nj7tdgJ_lIJFpTd4x_GliL5uTA7T-kk_9xb9lJRo6o8xl0oardVvgiqyj0dJuacuFcyMu9iQDwZUwzWGT5BK1UJg=s757" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1bWrJh-L67l9_MWk66dA7j4v9DF9bbeze-swbgZX-JbcFaDvOM5yid5vVZ3MHSLDFxvh73189dwf6a0ntINQdoaVd-oPZ3FGfd5Nj7tdgJ_lIJFpTd4x_GliL5uTA7T-kk_9xb9lJRo6o8xl0oardVvgiqyj0dJuacuFcyMu9iQDwZUwzWGT5BK1UJg=w345-h400" width="345" /></a></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-15683172342958157032021-12-25T21:29:00.005-06:002021-12-25T21:37:34.958-06:00All weather (but especially winter) cycling clothing guide (Wheel and Sprocket, with comments)<p>I came across this on Facebook, but I can't find it on the <a href="http://www.wheelandsprocket.com">Wheel & Sprocket site</a>. It's the best visual guide to cold weather clothing I've come across:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iagXbqmdZHo/YcffJX8Ne9I/AAAAAAACq6w/OPDywmyn5lwZ6abGRJL31BpRQCLNG5f2QCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_8956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1000" height="654" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iagXbqmdZHo/YcffJX8Ne9I/AAAAAAACq6w/OPDywmyn5lwZ6abGRJL31BpRQCLNG5f2QCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h654/IMG_8956.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What would I add or change?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Poagies/bar mitts: If you have straight bars these are a game changer for below 30F. Between 30-40F they let me ride in thin gloves or even fingerless bike gloves.</li><li>You hardly ever need a "warm jacket". T-shirt + thermal base layer + a good quality wind shell (ideally GoreTex). Below 20F consider adding a down vest that you can take off when you get too hot.</li><li>You don't need a winter helmet, a balaclava and headband combo will do it.</li><li>You do need a neck gaiter. Brilliant invention. Mine is some thin synthetic from Outdoor Research.</li><li>Below 15F winter boots and wool socks may need chemical toe warmers or LiOn electric socks.</li></ul></div><p></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-88938381337459387482021-08-27T21:40:00.014-05:002021-08-30T21:19:45.259-05:00Eastern Metro Twin Cities: St Croix and Mississippi Rivers<p><b>Route</b></p><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/i2qqYsQnf3t3pR1WA">83 miles - leaves from Lake Phalen</a> (Clockwise direction)</p><p>It's missing a 13 mile segment that Google doesn't know about, that map is below a few variations not his ride. I'll update this post with comments after it's done. (This is a improvement from an earlier version, I substituted Stagecoach Trail for 95 south of Stillwater and added Selma's Ice Cream. I'm continuing to tweak the Google Map but will update the image below.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXLynHewFt8/YSpJSLAXtCI/AAAAAAACq0I/p0K6pDGbrE090SfHnHqVgh9dCGl7n5GrACLcBGAsYHQ/s915/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-28%2Bat%2B9.33.18%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXLynHewFt8/YSpJSLAXtCI/AAAAAAACq0I/p0K6pDGbrE090SfHnHqVgh9dCGl7n5GrACLcBGAsYHQ/w560-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-28%2Bat%2B9.33.18%2BAM.png" width="560" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Some points of interest on route</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bruce Vento Nature Center</li><li>Selma's Ice Cream Parlor - 44°53'56.9"N 92°46'59.7"W</li><li>Velo du Nord in Afton (Bike/Coffee shop. Also - French!)</li><li>St Croix Bluffs Regional Park - 44°48'03.6"N 92°47'34.4"W</li><li>Carpenter Nature Center (just south of the St Croix Bluffs Regional Park)</li><li>The park just west of Prescott is a great water refill station</li><li>Stillwater and Hastings</li><li>Afton Inn</li><li>St Paul & Spiral Brewing</li><li>Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter (Stillwater)</li><li>Rock Island Swing Bridge</li><li>Hmong Village</li></ul><div><b>Tricky turns</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Transition to Stagecoach Road after Highway 36. Run into Kings Plant Road and need to turn right onto 56th Street N that runs into Stagecoach Trail N then turn left.</li></ul><div><b>Update after doing the tour</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>After crossing over 36 we didn't directly do Stagecoach, we took a park trail system that meets-up with Stagecoach, they aren't shown on Google Maps but I think they run through Valley View park</li><li>Stagecoach to Afton isn't bad though in places the speed limit is 55. There's often a wide shoulder and drivers are used to cyclists.</li><li>After Selma's in Afton instead of slowly climbing out on St Croix Trail S we took River Road S which is flat and pretty until it ends with a long steep climb. I prefer River Road S.</li><li>After Afton Alps St Croix Trail S is two lanes, no shoulder, 55 mph and pretty popular. 47/50 drivers were excellent but 3 were mediocre. (Motorbikes were all great.)</li><li>The Carpenter Nature Center is a great place to stop to eat what you are carrying, refill water bottles, and use the rest room. (Leave a donation.)</li><li>St Croix runs smack into Highway 10 which is a friggin highway with up to 4 lanes going 65-80 mph. The bike trail across the road is inaccessible from the intersection. The only way to cross Highway 10 is to wait for a break in traffic and run.</li><ul><li>If you run across you can take the broad shoulder about 400 meters left (east) and you'll see the trail and can walk across some grass to it. OR (I think) you can walk 25 meters right (west) and there's a short dirt path that leads to the trail.</li></ul></ul><div><b>Misc advice</b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Some prefer the counter-clockwise route, then one would take 36 into WI and cross back on the lift bridge.</li><li>A <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32871826">108 mile variation on the route</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/21dtS9Tqqq5taYrM8">87 miles (including gap) - leaves from Como</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgyySOsZrfc/YSmgTW8htPI/AAAAAAACqzo/rRUBmtpV6fEef4knG5tbwTqtas5kcKZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s882/lake%2Bcomo%2Bvariation.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="721" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgyySOsZrfc/YSmgTW8htPI/AAAAAAACqzo/rRUBmtpV6fEef4knG5tbwTqtas5kcKZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w524-h640/lake%2Bcomo%2Bvariation.png" width="524" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/tzNiYWWyb4mc32kR8">Version with Eastern extension</a> (89 miles)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>(this one isn't as optimized as the first version)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opBKuTbBy2E/YShNfPlTGhI/AAAAAAACqzM/M3K-QLt9ffkmAe1cXWX_LwKZuner5qZMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s827/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-26%2Bat%2B9.26.24%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="798" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opBKuTbBy2E/YShNfPlTGhI/AAAAAAACqzM/M3K-QLt9ffkmAe1cXWX_LwKZuner5qZMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w386-h400/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-26%2Bat%2B9.26.24%2BPM.png" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The gap at the bottom of both maps is a Google error -- there's <a href="http://gis.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/MississippiRiverGreenwayMap.pdf">actually a trail there</a>. The gap is 13 miles, which takes the entire ride to 88-89 miles. A bit longer than my 80-85 mile target so I'm going to trim a few miles. It is mostly bicycle trail with a segment of 4 miles of road that may have industrial traffic during the week but is very quiet on weekends. Of those 4 miles about 2 miles are packed dirt and gravel but it is doable on any bicycle tire.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFAC0uS8xoA/YShODdjsR7I/AAAAAAACqzU/027dj7Y3Kv4VH7PRLe44bFQULxmnuXOggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1587/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-26%2Bat%2B9.29.09%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1587" height="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFAC0uS8xoA/YShODdjsR7I/AAAAAAACqzU/027dj7Y3Kv4VH7PRLe44bFQULxmnuXOggCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h175/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-26%2Bat%2B9.29.09%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Variation from Charles S is very similar to first version, it shows the climbs and drops (not as bad as it looks). It's 83 miles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIImwIwg__I/YSmEV6Pb8GI/AAAAAAACqzg/8ctK60zn4NIdZCMP6vSURcjVeDVDfyexACLcBGAsYHQ/s1073/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-27%2Bat%2B7.31.49%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1073" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIImwIwg__I/YSmEV6Pb8GI/AAAAAAACqzg/8ctK60zn4NIdZCMP6vSURcjVeDVDfyexACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h279/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-08-27%2Bat%2B7.31.49%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-71904248937969059832021-07-10T17:44:00.004-05:002021-07-11T17:14:51.412-05:00MacGroveland to Como Park (connects to Grand Rounds trail)<p>During the bad times highways completely messed up Saint Paul. We're still recovering; only recently have we developed some north-south routes that safely cross rail and freeway.</p><p>Below are two examples that go between Macalester college and Como Park pavilion. It's about a 4.7 mile trip each way. From Como there are now quite good Grand Rounds trails west and east to Gateway (Stillwater).</p><p>These routes use some bike-pedestrian walkways over rail and freeway that are barely visible on Google maps and omitted from most paper maps.</p><p><b>UPDATE</b>: The 2nd route, which is basically Griggs all the way, is excellent. Do that.</p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/yZimkd6AR2GacRdSA">https://goo.gl/maps/yZimkd6AR2GacRdSA</a></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0bbozQ4g0/YOoiBvi_xAI/AAAAAAACqnk/eiOf9iEc66oxwAR9ucjQYwyrCq_LRL3CACLcBGAsYHQ/s897/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-10%2Bat%2B5.38.15%2BPM.png" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0bbozQ4g0/YOoiBvi_xAI/AAAAAAACqnk/eiOf9iEc66oxwAR9ucjQYwyrCq_LRL3CACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-10%2Bat%2B5.38.15%2BPM.png" /></a></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and</p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/QZEa1atwCTiLwsXN7">https://goo.gl/maps/QZEa1atwCTiLwsXN7</a><span style="color: black;"> </span></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">(Snelling may be impossible to cross, so consider going up to St Claire or down to Jefferson just before you reach Snelling)</span></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P05JETzZCZg/YOoiBqrwoBI/AAAAAAACqng/41tzIOZwjb8dUJvvTmb7c20ihgEkZRzgACLcBGAsYHQ/s939/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-10%2Bat%2B5.37.50%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="608" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P05JETzZCZg/YOoiBqrwoBI/AAAAAAACqng/41tzIOZwjb8dUJvvTmb7c20ihgEkZRzgACLcBGAsYHQ/w414-h640/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-10%2Bat%2B5.37.50%2BPM.png" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-14026458449085091592021-06-18T16:31:00.005-05:002021-06-18T16:31:56.327-05:00MSP Explorer - 15 miles<p>This route starts and ends at Lake Monster brewery. It explores some neat urban routes and spaces. Not many places to go fast, so allow 2 hours.</p><p>I have an <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F1drv.ms%2Fw%2Fs!AqhC9QYd3wPLiX9NItbYA5tXg5Iz%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0QF3GeKJJkishJdMSOo2c3S61v7WfRinK7_IsuLOvOqHp4_iyvuDOSSqc&h=AT1J4QGvcQipPzn4v3bWarz6ordIN-a_cA_fF0HOwICr4il7eTU79He-y4hUBV5ArpggXhC8FdwSfp3ISV-sdvLjvF4HPiQ_j2iiE_Ugt9Q41NTzhh-_oEG8a56b9PsytEgB-9g&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT3KUJLGEm7NcyyADc0-ZrJw5MMJMvq31lbBCUkBPq1xUN8kKWVWnoQ0xa4wVQFLKcZy1irI-xpWJt1-pl2nEySs55scaSpG86EfpXjGbG_PTeYg2VFZ2Q9xk9imoNAROj0">8 page map up as of June 2021</a> and a <a href="https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4407152020">MapMyRide version</a> but I can't guarantee it will stick around. Lake Monster to Dinkytown to Sheridan Memorial Park to East River Parkway to The Stone Arch Bridge to The Monument on Summit to Prior to Gilbert (CFSP) to Lake Monster.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGP4cY7e9g8/YM0Qq7mZT3I/AAAAAAACqkw/7fgkzfrrLVQ3UowNBQYQ6WxnDj9T5uODQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1151/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-18%2Bat%2B4.30.54%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1151" height="345" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGP4cY7e9g8/YM0Qq7mZT3I/AAAAAAACqkw/7fgkzfrrLVQ3UowNBQYQ6WxnDj9T5uODQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h345/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-18%2Bat%2B4.30.54%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-90287068741574081352021-05-31T13:08:00.002-05:002021-05-31T13:08:23.741-05:00Minneapolis to Sunrise Prairie (31 miles 1 way, but on to Duluth)<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TCMNBikeTalk/permalink/4059200647495508/">Via Facebook</a>, AK shared <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/5386705616/overview">a route from MPLS to Sunrise Prairie</a>. At Sunrise Prairie one can start the trail to Duluth.</p><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">... It’s almost all bike lane/trail. The last big chunk that isn’t is all a county road but it has 10 ft shoulders ... Also, on Lake Rd, you go through Circle Pines which has a more populated section (but still has a big shoulder) but if you are uncomfortable with that, there is a frontage road you can ride on till you get to a less populated area...</span></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTNcUw8RrfM/YLUlm7amOuI/AAAAAAACqiw/qFMvwQpH-ks8WzZiNj2FZM0n2DmmXCeSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s718/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-05-31%2Bat%2B1.05.41%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="613" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTNcUw8RrfM/YLUlm7amOuI/AAAAAAACqiw/qFMvwQpH-ks8WzZiNj2FZM0n2DmmXCeSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-05-31%2Bat%2B1.05.41%2BPM.png" /></a></div><br /> I also wonder about this as a route to Hugo, but I'm not sure we can get through Lino Lakes.<p></p><p> </p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-26238463975944295162021-05-29T11:39:00.002-05:002021-05-29T11:39:20.734-05:00Gravel rides around Northfield MN (south of MSP)<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/214761018548879/permalink/4277356432289297/">Bruce Anderson posted this 5/23/2021 on the Cannon Valley Velo Club Facebook Group</a>. I'm just republishing here:</p><blockquote><p>Want to ride gravel in the Northfield area? Look no further! Here’s a growing list of gravel routes of all lengths and levels of difficulty.</p><p>Rides are categorized below as:</p><p>• Easy (less than 20 miles, any amount of climbing*)</p><p>• Moderate (20 to 40 miles, any amount of climbing)</p><p>• Moderately Hard (30 to 40 miles with more than 1500 feet of climbing)</p><p>• Hard but Relatively Flat (more than 40 miles and less than an average of 30 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Hard and Moderately Hilly (more than 40 miles and an average of 30 to 40 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Hard and Hilly (more than 40 miles and an average of more than 40 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Killer but You’re Gonna Love It Anyway (more than 100 miles and plenty of climbing)</p><p>*Climbing elevations are generally as reported by the RideWithGPS mapping tool. In the author’s experience, actual climbing as recorded on these routes by GPS is often significantly higher than the RWGPS estimates. </p><p>You can, of course, double your options by riding any of these routes in reverse. If you would like to add your favorite route(s) to the list, please comment on this post and a moderator will edit the original post to include the route if it is deemed a good addition. </p><p>Most routes start and end at Bridge Square in the heart of historic downtown Northfield. If they start or end elsewhere, there’s likely a brewery or something else inviting involved! (Three excellent breweries and a cidery are within a few blocks or miles of Bridge Square for post-ride refreshments: Imminent Brewing (two blocks away), Tanzenwald Brewing Company (0.3 miles), Chapel Brewing (3.1 miles), and Keepsake Cidery (6.1 miles).</p><p>Ride on!</p><p>Northfield Gravel Rides</p><p>Easy (less than 20 miles, any amount of climbing)</p><p>• Southwest, Return on East Cannon River Trail (14.3 miles, 406’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27224078</p><p>• Cannon River Ramble 15-miler (15 miles, 438’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27220502</p><p>• Northeast and Back on Sciota Trail (16 miles, 584’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36130634 </p><p>• Isaacson Trail Quickie (16.8 miles, 606’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27223989</p><p>• Cold Moon Howl (18.8 miles, 560’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31572631</p><p>• Patrick L-Approved Loop (18.8 miles, 826’ of climbing, including a couple of challenging climbs) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36132368</p><p>• Crow Moon Howl 20-miler (19.8 miles, 478’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26943822</p><p>Moderate (20 to 40 miles with less than 1500’ of climbing)</p><p>• McKnight Prairie Fly-By (21.6 miles, 553’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36130160</p><p>• Chub Lake Super Blue Moon Howl (24.3 miles, 650’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26788958</p><p>• Easy Like Sunday Afternoon (27.7 miles, 633’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26513582</p><p>• Burma Passage and Ghost Nike Missile Site (28.9 miles, 796’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22064188</p><p>• Randolph -- Strachan Farm Loop (30.1 miles, 648’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20009046</p><p>• Farmer Trail – Big Woods – Dennison (30.2 miles, 1078’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36141468</p><p>• Western Gravel Staying East of I-35 (30.7 miles, 677’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20830839</p><p>• Chub Lake Howl (30.7 miles, 792’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25865282</p><p>• Burma Passage – Randolph (31.2 miles, 638’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26439954</p><p>• Chub Lake – Burma Passage (31.4 miles, 765’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26343685</p><p>• Boy Scout Camp Loop with Cherry Valley Descent (31.4 miles, 956’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36138847</p><p>• Farmer Trail – Eiler Ave – Rice County Wilderness Area (32.3 miles, 1361’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25382894</p><p>• 20th Ave Rollers (32.4 miles, 1496’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36084642</p><p>• Beware Falling Mergansers (33.0 miles, 911’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21606223</p><p>• Burma Passage – Chub Lake (33.5 miles, 893’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25146470</p><p>• Lewiston Boulevard – Passage to Burma (34.3 miles, 726’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32501103</p><p>• Circle Lake 36-Miler (36.2 miles, 1358’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33841395</p><p>• Wilderness Park – Cannon City – Farmer Trail – Isaacson Trail (37.1 miles, 1308’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32565532</p><p>Moderately Hard (30 to 40 miles with more than 1500’ of climbing)</p><p>• Westerly to Union Lake Trail and Baseline Road (30.4 miles, 1534’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21780917</p><p>• Farmer Trail – Big Woods – Isaacson Trail (32.3 miles, 1786’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30953952</p><p>• Beautiful Barn Loop; (37.9 miles, 1679’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30207821</p><p>Hard but Relatively Flat (more than 40 miles and less than an average of 30 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Camp Winona Trail – Union Lake Trail (52.1 miles, 1354’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33318702</p><p>• Vermillion Highlands – Chimney Rock (63.2 miles, 1472’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32497739</p><p>• Montgomery Calling (55.6 miles, 1580’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29133208</p><p>Hard and Moderately Hilly (more than 40 miles and an average of 30 to 40 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Full Strawberry Moon 42-Miler (42.5 miles, 1595’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21924422</p><p>• Falls Trail – Union Lake Trail (43.0 miles, 1349’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33318802</p><p>• Shady Lane Trail Pronto (44.7 miles, 1597’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21733748</p><p>• Small Taste o’ the DAMn (48.1 miles, 1757’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33586778</p><p>• Union Lake Trail – Cody Lake Trail – Lake Ave (49.7 miles, 1677’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26519007</p><p>• Full Strawberry Moon Howl 50-miler (50.4 miles, 1875’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21892498</p><p>• Clark Valley Trail – Byllesby Dam (52.5 miles, 1848’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32424296</p><p>• Heywood 55 (53.3 miles, 1932’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31947123</p><p>• Camp Winona Trail – Cody Trail – Union Lake Trail (57.2 miles, 1931’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21082907</p><p>• Randolph – Chub Lake – Union Lake Trail Meander (58.9 miles, 2192’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35721667</p><p>• Wilderness Park – Faribault – Monkey Valley (61.2 miles, 2215’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32565083</p><p>• Shady Lane Trail – Monkey Valley 100k (62.3 miles, 2386’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22740727</p><p>• Skunk Hollow – Clark Valley Metric Century (63.4 miles, 2311’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32783148</p><p>• Shady Lane Trail – Wanamingo – Scenic Barn (63.7 miles, 2347’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33676439</p><p>• Welch – Miesville Ravine – Randolph (78.0 miles, 2812’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21505746</p><p>• Clark Valley Trail – Sunset Trail – Welch Trail – Miesville Ravine – Chimney Rock Loop (88.6 miles, 3171’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21454059</p><p>Hard and Hilly (more than 40 miles and an average of more than 40 feet of climbing per mile)</p><p>• Monkey Valley – Nerstrand Big Woods (42.7 miles, 2037’ of climbing) </p><p>https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33224111</p><p>• Shady Lane Trail – Scenic Barn (45.5 miles, 1833’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28597969</p><p>• Earth Day Gravel Grinder (52.4 miles, 3048’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32398440</p><p>• Wanamingo, No Foolin’ Around (57.5 miles, 2363’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31466963</p><p>• Chimney Rock or Bust! (59.3 miles, 2492’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31203805</p><p>• White Rock Trail – Oxford Mill Road (61.0 miles, 2890’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30986263</p><p>• (Bit Longer) Taste o’ the DAMn (61.5 miles, 2468’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33586723</p><p>• Area 57 with Return via Monkey Valley (66.0 miles, 2908’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33223964</p><p>• Sunset Trail – Welch – Miesville Ravine – Byllesby Dam (71.9 miles, 3068’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30727348</p><p>• Heywoodish Lite (76.9 miles, 3697’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30136462</p><p>• Angry Catfish Comes to Town (82.6 miles, 3748’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29263087</p><p>Killer but You’re Gonna Love It Anyway (more than 100 miles and plenty of climbing)</p><p>• Skunk Hollow -- Clark Valley -- White Rock – Vasa – Welch -- Miesville Ravine -- Chimney Rock Century (100.8 miles, 3894’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32782960</p><p>• Camp Winona Trail-LeSueur-Montgomery Gravel Century (103.9 miles, 3103’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20316984</p><p>• Thunder Moon Howl: Good Stuff to the West and East (105.5 miles, 5844’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36141829</p><p>• Heywood 110 (109.9 miles, 5024’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31947274</p><p>• It Ain’t Paradise but It Used to Be (127.6 miles, 5903’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36141945</p><p>• Heywood 165 (163.8 miles, 7298’ of climbing) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31948826</p></blockquote><p><br /></p>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-36322234477047637082021-05-01T20:25:00.006-05:002021-08-27T21:59:25.210-05:00Twin Cities Metro Ride<p>A friend shared this off Facebook. That's more than I've ridden for decades so it will take some work to get ready for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wbeBeWfk3wk/YI3_UmPWWRI/AAAAAAACqfk/EL50L2kiFhwjTT4olzEbFQnhwyyhXKQkwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_2960.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="319" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wbeBeWfk3wk/YI3_UmPWWRI/AAAAAAACqfk/EL50L2kiFhwjTT4olzEbFQnhwyyhXKQkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/IMG_2960.jpeg" /></a></div><a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2021/08/eastern-metro-twin-cities.html">This is a related ride</a> I may do with a group of friends.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-68045138200892911592021-04-29T21:56:00.003-05:002022-02-20T20:18:55.142-06:00Minnehaha, Lakes and Utepils Brewpub - Bryn Mawr neighborhood<p>This map was posted on Facebook's Utepils ride group as a suggested ride and my son asked to do it.</p><p>It's short loop and not fast -- these trails are popular with walkers, runners, skaters and cyclists.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNUXsGeDD-E/YItxfy4yBNI/AAAAAAACqfQ/cTkk6EyQyqoCGsy5GGYRrQdH7Db4SYxPACLcBGAsYHQ/s970/lakes%2Bto%2Butelpils.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNUXsGeDD-E/YItxfy4yBNI/AAAAAAACqfQ/cTkk6EyQyqoCGsy5GGYRrQdH7Db4SYxPACLcBGAsYHQ/s970/lakes%2Bto%2Butelpils.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="833" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNUXsGeDD-E/YItxfy4yBNI/AAAAAAACqfQ/cTkk6EyQyqoCGsy5GGYRrQdH7Db4SYxPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/lakes%2Bto%2Butelpils.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zCin8eNTW5fB8TnE7" style="text-align: left;">This extended version starts at Minnehaha Falls</a><span style="text-align: left;"> - it's about 17 miles</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLq_wi8ZOrM/YIt15_w9DTI/AAAAAAACqfY/xDDr2grlKzILhNTYSxxkJHABiI_6YDqJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s844/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-29%2Bat%2B10.13.23%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="844" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLq_wi8ZOrM/YIt15_w9DTI/AAAAAAACqfY/xDDr2grlKzILhNTYSxxkJHABiI_6YDqJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h335/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-29%2Bat%2B10.13.23%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>Google wouldn't let me add more way points, but the rest of the return is 11miles, so about 28 miles for the entire outing.JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-75135346942449486372021-04-07T21:14:00.004-05:002021-04-07T21:14:53.261-05:00Cross West St Paul: Kaposia Landing to Brickyard Trail<p>In a previous post I described the excellent <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2021/03/west-st-paul-loop-harriet-island-to.html">Harriet Island (Paddleford Landing) to Kaposia Park via Robert Piram trail route</a>:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1L8l9JpiLM/YG5ed48rtsI/AAAAAAACqc4/W3HxJeIGRtU0eaBMtPEMYVrM0WfA4q8iQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1028/HarrietPiram.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1028" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1L8l9JpiLM/YG5ed48rtsI/AAAAAAACqc4/W3HxJeIGRtU0eaBMtPEMYVrM0WfA4q8iQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h253/HarrietPiram.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>This route describes a pleasant and relatively car-free route across West St Paul to make a loop that's between 11-13 miles (depending on variations). A <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/CDnof9BFA5wvGqTN7">google maps link</a> should produce something close to this image:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pn69wcrrxlA/YG5bsXnoFBI/AAAAAAACqco/hcmjqdz97WA-hqzElnK3W5CpNJPhAjF9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s987/CrossWestStPaul.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="987" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pn69wcrrxlA/YG5bsXnoFBI/AAAAAAACqco/hcmjqdz97WA-hqzElnK3W5CpNJPhAjF9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h327/CrossWestStPaul.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The above route is about 3.8 miles and involves some big drops and climbs, there's a <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jB4BwckrS82hhF2M8">direct route that has only modest climbs and drops and is 2.7 miles</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NDGJbgtjMQ/YG5d0agVVdI/AAAAAAACqcw/bstZb7ybxkU9OJE_1-JOWQr6YhytNw3AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s969/directCrosswest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="969" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NDGJbgtjMQ/YG5d0agVVdI/AAAAAAACqcw/bstZb7ybxkU9OJE_1-JOWQr6YhytNw3AwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h312/directCrosswest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>If you're riding a mountain or fat bike there are some adventure options in this detail view:<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVq8v7t8ihc/YG5kHhHBPKI/AAAAAAACqdA/rf6hHeUWucYkJdSXukimYJyUE8v8vGOMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1889/pano.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="1586" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVq8v7t8ihc/YG5kHhHBPKI/AAAAAAACqdA/rf6hHeUWucYkJdSXukimYJyUE8v8vGOMACLcBGAsYHQ/w537-h640/pano.jpg" width="537" /></a></div><div>Just after crossing over the freeway on the bridge from Kaposia Park there's a quick dirt trail drop onto a multi-use path. Follow that on a mountain or fat bike and you end up at Thompson Park Lodge.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a road or mountain bike you can take a fast curvy trail deep into the very obscure Bluff Terrace Park shown at the top of the above detail (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Amo3cBAy45quhBJH7">map</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>Also on a mountain or fat bike when you get Brickyard Trail at the left side there are some interesting options:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7r0SowvIfDU/YG5mQfkoutI/AAAAAAACqdI/S0KLkYRbZYIRkuE127Qr9sYknLzqpVXMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1005/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-07%2Bat%2B9.10.35%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1005" height="588" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7r0SowvIfDU/YG5mQfkoutI/AAAAAAACqdI/S0KLkYRbZYIRkuE127Qr9sYknLzqpVXMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h588/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-07%2Bat%2B9.10.35%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In particular on a trail bike you can take the steep fast Brickyard trail to the bottom and find your way to Lilydale bike trail (don't take the railroad track, take the trail out) and then back to the Harriet Island Paddleford Landing start. At first you may think this trail is firmly fenced away (for some reason), but follow the fence to the right to see where locals have opened an entrance big enough for a small car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On pavement follow the bike path on Cherokee Heights Road over to Ohio street and down to Paddleford that way.</div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-4946885141620628162021-03-26T10:18:00.005-05:002021-03-26T10:42:49.092-05:00West St Paul loop: Harriet Island to Kaposia Park and Back (plus River to River option)<p>The <a href="https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation/design-construction/current-projects/robert-piram-regional-trail">Robert Piram</a> <a href="https://streets.mn/2020/10/29/dmarshall/">trail</a> connecting Harriet (not an) Island park to Kaposia Landing opens up some great new ride opportunities (plus the River to River greenway ... I think!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gwn_PNOY8g/YF32g5kVhLI/AAAAAAACqbQ/fdX8B0hkL9oEj3D35ce1p0J7RxJ2oknUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7083.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gwn_PNOY8g/YF32g5kVhLI/AAAAAAACqbQ/fdX8B0hkL9oEj3D35ce1p0J7RxJ2oknUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_7083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I did a back-and-forth from Paddleford to Kaposia Park / Robert Street last week, but looks like <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/VdbxAKY69HNe1NtdA">this would be a fun short loop</a>:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxK2LYiLzDk/YF34buTYeaI/AAAAAAACqbY/mOWcC6DWV2wyNYQkUQV_KkdS0Y8RH4pzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s680/West%2BSt%2BPaul%2BLoop.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="680" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxK2LYiLzDk/YF34buTYeaI/AAAAAAACqbY/mOWcC6DWV2wyNYQkUQV_KkdS0Y8RH4pzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/West%2BSt%2BPaul%2BLoop.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><p>There are many ways to traverse West St Paul from Kaposia Park/Thompson County Park back to Harriet (not an) Island park. Some streets probably more interesting than others, but lots of exploration opportunities.</p><p>The climb from Kaposia Landing to Kaposia Park through Simon's Ravine is scenic and a fun climb for an intermediate rider or for a novice on an eBike. It would be a solid climb for an inline skater and bit of a chancy descent.</p><p>Kaposia park is supposed to connect up with <a href="https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation/design-construction/current-projects/robert-piram-regional-trail">a lot more in years to come</a>:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaZraqQXLao/YF36jTMEq7I/AAAAAAACqbg/NMU3rqhlCb4VOhrrQAuFrcynTtuQ9P5gACLcBGAsYHQ/s779/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-26%2Bat%2B10.13.22%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="779" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaZraqQXLao/YF36jTMEq7I/AAAAAAACqbg/NMU3rqhlCb4VOhrrQAuFrcynTtuQ9P5gACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h356/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-26%2Bat%2B10.13.22%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think most of the River-to-River Greenway can be done now between trails and city streets so I need to check that out -- comparing the above planning photo to a Google version (below) it's only missing a short connection along Hwy 62! The complete loop would a <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/koZsz5cf4Rv2oJyD6">14 mile ride with some nice climbs and drops</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUnfeRQzFi4/YF3-FtQ4BLI/AAAAAAACqbw/8W7yYoFpHrcMSU4IDZ785BkcgCHssZFdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1223/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-26%2Bat%2B10.29.22%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1223" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUnfeRQzFi4/YF3-FtQ4BLI/AAAAAAACqbw/8W7yYoFpHrcMSU4IDZ785BkcgCHssZFdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h341/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-26%2Bat%2B10.29.22%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I didn't know of the Mendota-Lebanon Hills regional greenway, that would be awesome if it happens but looks still years away. </div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-1190039748317488132020-11-25T21:14:00.006-06:002022-02-21T14:10:42.805-06:00Minnesota River Trail - The River Bottoms from Indian Mounds to 9 mile creek crossing (Long Meadow Lake Unit) + Bloomington to Mendota extra <div>(From 2015, republished 2020 since it's had some updates but it's not all current. There are <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2015/04/the-very-confusing-mississippi-river.html">updated to 2020 map links in another 2015 post</a>.)</div><div><br /></div>The Minnesota river trail is going to change. Major parts will become a paved trail. This means a lot more people will appreciate the river, but the trail many love to run and ride is going to change.<br />
So I’m glad Ben and I got to ride some of the best parts — on a sunny and pleasant November Saturday.<br />
<br />
The trail we took is part of a large system along the Minnesota river (save JPEG locally to view). Our Long Meadow Lake section is at the top left of this map:<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 5" border="0" height="187" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N6kMwi0Wq4o/Vj6v47aarUI/AAAAAAABldA/JvormEbUA4U/RiverBottomNov2015%2525205.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 5.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Basically we did the bottom half of the Long Meadow Lake Unit Trails. Note the blue in the picture below. That’s important! If you end up on the wrong side of the marsh you can’t get back to your entry point. So be careful, the trails are not well marked!<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 6" border="0" height="375" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--XR9MjTLrWA/Vj6v5kvP3FI/AAAAAAABldI/YZ-hedhooKw/RiverBottomNov2015%2525206.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 6.jpg" width="400" /><br />
The <a href="http://www.morcmtb.org/minnesota-river-trail/">MORC trail map</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?t=h&ll=44.80084%2C-93.342934&ie=UTF8&msa=0&spn=0.090013%2C0.154324&z=13&hl=en&mid=z-PLIlflLkIk.klm7wH-v8gt4">Google Version</a> provides the best overview for a mountain biker:<br />
<img alt="MORC map" border="0" height="349" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jf9y8yC5Wao/Vj6v1mVbVTI/AAAAAAABlcw/6UzuPqh1fvA/MORC%252520map.png?imgmax=800" title="MORC map.png" width="400" /><br />
For Minneapolis and Saint Paul residents the traditional approach to the trail is to take bikes on light rail to the Mall of America, then ride a short distance to the yellow/orange entry trails towards the upper right of the screenshot (enters near <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ugYmrouaRSN2">Bass Ponds Parking, 44.845976, -93.232640</a>). [Update 2022: I think to do this you'd need to ride through the bird sanctuary! I doubt that actually bothers the birds but we aren't allowed to do that.]<br />
<br />
Unfortunately Center Point Energy is replacing a natural gas pipeline along the “bluff trail”, so we entered at the Blue “A” icon by Mound Springs Park, just south of Indian Mounds Elementary (11th Ave S, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/TikwtvMZSXt">44°49’23.6”N 93°15’33.1”W</a>). From there we road to 9 mile creek, marked by the blue sailboat icon. You can <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/428377239">see our route on Strava</a>.<br />
<img alt="Strava" border="0" height="269" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nerFVR_dM2o/Vj6v3-_WGKI/AAAAAAABlc8/5VRQuYjKKVw/strava.png?imgmax=800" title="strava.png" width="400" /><br />
The <a href="http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Long%20Meadow%20Lake%20Trail%20Map.pdf">Minnesota Valley Long Meadow Lake Unit Trail Map</a> is a good guide to other entry points. The <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jVkDxGSFH9k">Old Cedar Ave parking area</a> on that map, unfortunately, is cut off by construction. We really entered at the best site available today. From this point downstream the trail is closed.<br />
<br />
It’s easy to park on the street by the entrance here — there’s lots of room in November. There’s a sign saying you can also park at the school nearby.<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 17" border="0" height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bCq6abDilk8/Vj6v6l1MEUI/AAAAAAABldM/QOouWtyDMFk/RiverBottomNov2015%25252017.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 17.jpg" width="400" /><br />
From this point the trail descends smoothly and joins a creek. We stayed to the left at the first fork…<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 16" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3J_o6OxsZw/Vj6v7mcvXxI/AAAAAAABldQ/V0V8-SY4S7w/RiverBottomNov2015%25252016.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 16.jpg" width="400" /><br />
When you’re zooming down it’s very tempting to just try to run a rock pile put in place to manage erosion. These are not friendly rocks. They are rough concrete irregular slabs that are very painful to land on. I recommend walking.<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 15" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fpH8KRcYSEg/Vj6v9zSf6sI/AAAAAAABldg/KFhHtS2WJdI/RiverBottomNov2015%25252015.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 15.jpg" width="400" /><br />
That’s about it for the tricky part of this entrance. The trail is pretty easy to pick up further down the stream.<br />
<br />
The trail has lots of forks and branches; heading upstream there are many entrance trails joining from the right. These can be confusing on the return — it was useful to be using Strava so we could retrace our trail. Parts of the trail are narrow and seem almost natural — I bet this was an Indian walking route once. There are also bridges and ramps and wood sections, some very old and some brand new. There are concrete and steel picnic tables in the woods that could be 30-40 years old.<br />
It’s a multi-use and bidirectional trail, so be extra-polite to walkers and runners and watch for oncoming bikes. It’s very pretty in the Fall, and presumably year round …<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 13" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R0Igy1nFF08/Vj6v-7_2Z4I/AAAAAAABldo/gNmhempQ98w/RiverBottomNov2015%25252013.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 13.jpg" width="400" /><br />
I think this might be the treacherous trail branch point a friend warned me of — go right and there’s no way back to where we started from “On the return, where the the blue/green trails split, there is a critical branch. If you miss this turn on the return route - easy to do if you ignore the trail going left away from the river and continue straight - you will NOT be able to get back to where you started from”.<br />
<br />
You’ll come across this when you return, not long after reentering from the parking lot by 35E.<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 4" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X0riBUBSPGQ/Vj6v_kf-duI/AAAAAAABlds/dnJBpQYqBmM/RiverBottomNov2015%2525204.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 4.jpg" width="400" /><br />
The Long Meadow Lake Trails end at 35W. But don’t stop there. Continue along the river, following a dirt service road. If you stay by the river it turns back into a trail. After a mile or so you come to one of the gems of the Twin Cities —- the famous 9 mile creek crossing:<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 8" border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o981Pk5z5Q4/Vj6wAjufeEI/AAAAAAABldw/gtBlRjiD9cU/RiverBottomNov2015%2525208.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 8.jpg" width="400" /><br />
As you can see there are two ways to cross. One is by raft, the other, upstream a bit, is by tree trunk with added steps: [In 2020 this was lost years ago - tragically removed by bad people.]<br />
<img alt="RiverBottomNov2015 10" border="0" height="533" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kc5gyVLx9_0/Vj6wBtJm01I/AAAAAAABld0/LlexG4ubWKM/RiverBottomNov2015%25252010.jpg?imgmax=800" title="RiverBottomNov2015 10.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Yes. Someone did this. Presumably many someones. The raft is a serious piece of well maintained kit with heavy ropes. I don’t think it’s Fish and Wildlife, though they must tolerate it. It’s a legend and one must bow in respect. I took the ferry over the creek then carried my bike over the tree. I know people who ride the tree and rails, but I do not think I will ever have those skills.<br />
<br />
Then we headed back. Next time I’ll do more loops, this time I used Strava to confirm I was retracing my route correctly.<br />
<br />
I’m looking forward to going further next time. In winter there are Fat Bike meetups along this trail…<br />
<br />
PS. When I was putting this blog post together something caught my eye where the stream we entered by meets the river:<br />
<img alt="Swimming hole" border="0" height="405" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rr5ukR8O9pY/Vj6v2uZQMLI/AAAAAAABlc0/zPXDNhIRz6s/swimming%252520hole.png?imgmax=800" title="swimming hole.png" width="400" /><br />
That little round circle, on close magnification, may have a sort of jumping board on it. I think it’s a local swimming hole…<br />
<br />
<b>Update 5/24/2020</b>: I added some modern maps to my <a href="https://blog.msptrails.org/2015/04/the-very-confusing-mississippi-river.html">2015 post on the river bottoms</a>. They really help out.<div><br /></div><div><b>Update 11/25/2020</b>: Further downstream, at the Nature reserve by 494, you can take the 494 bike path over the MN River and across Gun Club Lake, then on the south side of Gun Club take a dirt path exit and double back over the lake under the bridge and catch the Mendota Trail. Some images here <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNRiverBottomsRideReport/permalink/4574149259325802">from Facebook</a>, and a description from there that I've edited a bit ...<br /><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">If you're coming from Bloomington you first take paved 494 bridge ped/bike trail over the MN river until the concrete bridge bridge railing ends. It's not marked but at that point you can see a well worn dirt path entrance. There's a short relatively steep and a bit rocky drop (easy to walk if you prefer) then an easy broad trail that turns into a dirt access road. The path goes under the bridge, then it curves back along (under) the edge of the eastbound 494 elevated roadway. You proceed to ride under the edge of the bridge until you get to the MN River channel, and then turn left (to Cedar) or right (to Mendota).</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vys7pVyndmM/X78dPf-3R9I/AAAAAAACp-Q/lkj_ERgm9RcF1g-GgIlMS0uupubkqlk5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s571/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-25%2Bat%2B8.46.30%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="571" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vys7pVyndmM/X78dPf-3R9I/AAAAAAACp-Q/lkj_ERgm9RcF1g-GgIlMS0uupubkqlk5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h297/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-25%2Bat%2B8.46.30%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL7fHwXBVT4/X78dPaRhkLI/AAAAAAACp-U/PXWlq1LuifA_nr4CMxcvzBJWYHnQcyfPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1149/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-25%2Bat%2B8.51.37%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1149" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL7fHwXBVT4/X78dPaRhkLI/AAAAAAACp-U/PXWlq1LuifA_nr4CMxcvzBJWYHnQcyfPACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h213/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-11-25%2Bat%2B8.51.37%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QH9IKw1oZQ4/X78iUFBMSwI/AAAAAAACp-k/iFTnuxaiGmY4fBw0T9wY_MNp0pAWXjFAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s261/126888466_10223050508746881_5632680266867116050_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="261" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QH9IKw1oZQ4/X78iUFBMSwI/AAAAAAACp-k/iFTnuxaiGmY4fBw0T9wY_MNp0pAWXjFAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h259/126888466_10223050508746881_5632680266867116050_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>Update 2/21/22</b>: In the above I entered by Indian Mounds school. Another place to enter is by Gideon Pond House (below). The later option can be good if one is going to ride past 9 mile creek all the way to Bloomington Ferry and you need to shave a bit off the route.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdPeeaaX9qYSF6mT7XAw7cLv_Gf5JovQOTkW0_aJtura3ju-JdG-mNapwLKK9DV6_rHlYZ0BnU6pUJUHlRYg3G2O8F-UZTXOInr0YfxTLQE8CsGu8-_DcGZjxdYZUzT5Fim5KbzPrliZIPo-e6cEBH7TfVgkLQmQCfYj_e6I_pTCn9EyTqWm5g9U65rw=s658" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="658" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdPeeaaX9qYSF6mT7XAw7cLv_Gf5JovQOTkW0_aJtura3ju-JdG-mNapwLKK9DV6_rHlYZ0BnU6pUJUHlRYg3G2O8F-UZTXOInr0YfxTLQE8CsGu8-_DcGZjxdYZUzT5Fim5KbzPrliZIPo-e6cEBH7TfVgkLQmQCfYj_e6I_pTCn9EyTqWm5g9U65rw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>John Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04498750165598537302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-47579620040066272582020-06-21T09:57:00.004-05:002020-09-12T17:38:22.733-05:00MSP Family Outing to MN Nice Ice Cream (20 miles)For my family's annual Father's Day family bike ride my son picked <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/SoWaWANkS2S9Fkpt5">a trip to MN Nice Cream</a>. It's roughly 20 miles round trip with a break in the middle:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Izl5jLgZow/Xu9zRv8T_VI/AAAAAAACnFo/qdLBoKxtnHsu4Wv3iAQguxptEm3SIzk6wCK4BGAsYHg/s664/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B9.44.56%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="664" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Izl5jLgZow/Xu9zRv8T_VI/AAAAAAACnFo/qdLBoKxtnHsu4Wv3iAQguxptEm3SIzk6wCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h480/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B9.44.56%2BAM.png" width="500" /></a></div><div>(The starting point on public map and link isn't exactly our home.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The trip is entirely on bicycle trails or quiet streets. Note the crossover Stone Arch and then down to Nicollet island then taking the short gravel trails to Boom Island.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's an alternative route that takes the bicycle trail on the "east" side of the river. The trick there is that there's an illegal but now heavily used path under 35 W by the rail yards that connects Stone Arch bridge to the UMN river path:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb3PwPeLjck/Xu904ikq0BI/AAAAAAACnGE/IGDc12Y-5Wc759lqNWsTZhqsH1LGiltvQCK4BGAsYHg/s683/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B9.54.23%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="683" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb3PwPeLjck/Xu904ikq0BI/AAAAAAACnGE/IGDc12Y-5Wc759lqNWsTZhqsH1LGiltvQCK4BGAsYHg/w625-h161/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B9.54.23%2BAM.png" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sooner or later that use path will get either closed/enforced or made legal, but for now it's in a happy limbo state.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update</b>: on the return trip a tired family member and ominous storm clouds required this shortcut to the above 35 W underpass route:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HG50DThUR8/XvAig3D2gQI/AAAAAAACnGo/2wm04y-R6hkCiE9PvlPZhhgLfYR34xLYACK4BGAsYHg/s624/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B10.14.56%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="458" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HG50DThUR8/XvAig3D2gQI/AAAAAAACnGo/2wm04y-R6hkCiE9PvlPZhhgLfYR34xLYACK4BGAsYHg/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-21%2Bat%2B10.14.56%2BPM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a surprisingly quite and pleasant route -- but 3rd Ave NE bike path is almost unrideable. Just take the quiet street.</div><div><div><br /></div></div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-46049089317013344452020-05-24T10:06:00.000-05:002020-05-24T10:09:34.813-05:00A 26 mile mountain and road bike minneapolis rideI haven't done this ride, but sharing it for future reference from a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNRiverBottomsRideReport/permalink/3723120521095351/">Facebook river bottoms group</a>.<br />
<br />
Some times the river trail will be underwater in places.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ3MLB4Q1Y0/XsqMm_x1DuI/AAAAAAAChpI/jbowpcMlf8UZLiiSgOpcK6c2Zct4d-zRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-24%2Bat%2B10.01.00%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="507" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ3MLB4Q1Y0/XsqMm_x1DuI/AAAAAAAChpI/jbowpcMlf8UZLiiSgOpcK6c2Zct4d-zRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-24%2Bat%2B10.01.00%2BAM.png" /></a></div>
<br />JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-84142058342920638082020-04-05T22:28:00.002-05:002020-04-05T22:34:43.920-05:00Saint Paul Mendota Heights and Minnehaha ParkThis is 18.2 miles per Google and has some great river views and some contrasting landscapes. The Mendota/62 bridge bike trail is a bit on the narrow side but not bad.<br />
<br />
We originally planned to take the Big Rivers Trail to Mendota but it was washed out. The other alternative would have been Lilydale to Saint Paul but it was flooded. This was plan C but it was a happy reroute. I'd do it again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/X38fU4DPGu4neUZj8">Google Maps Route</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LnK7GgMeUo/XoqhBE7OZTI/AAAAAAAChVU/QKK-pVF6ocI28KqVooPLrKyu46U77TbOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-04-05%2Bat%2B10.22.44%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1131" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LnK7GgMeUo/XoqhBE7OZTI/AAAAAAAChVU/QKK-pVF6ocI28KqVooPLrKyu46U77TbOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-04-05%2Bat%2B10.22.44%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6263120189652554131.post-73026543742252736522020-03-14T16:36:00.005-05:002021-04-05T22:54:15.072-05:00Saint Paul to Hastings MNIt doesn't show up on Google Maps, but I'm told it's possible to ride trail from St Paul to Hastings MN. These descriptions are combined from a local cycling FB Group and my own experience. At the moment the best starting point for many people would be <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/PBy8sUi3nq5upA8V9">Kaposia Landing Fields</a>. In 2021 (see below) there's a connector all the way to Saint Paul.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;"><p>Dedicated bike path along river to 65th & Concord, then it goes along next to Concord to Kaposia Landing trailhead. </p></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">Follow the (MRT) trail some miles, eventually turning on Cahill, which takes you to Inver Grove Trail (road). Follow the bike trail along there <b>past the Pine Bend School</b>, & the trail turns away from the road again past the <b>RR trestle</b>. [easy to spot because there's an attractive awning over the trail to protect from train debris] ... After that, the trail follows Courthouse Blvd. a bit before turning off on to a dedicated, removed bike path again ... <br /><div>... the current trail ends near the beginning of Pine Bend Trail (which is a road, not a bike trail - nice shoulder, very low traffic). You can take Pine Bend for a mile or so ... turn Left on Fahey Ave (gravel, may not be signed or may say archery range). Take that a few hundred meters to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/EGBqjoJ4vwimeRNj6">Fahey Ave Trailhead</a> (well signed, cars parked, cyclists gathering, Q248+F3). From there follow the trail to Hastings. (The trail does not appear on Google Bicycle routes, I don't think Google is updating those.)</div></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><b>WARNING</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">These are lovely bike trails, but the Kaposia trails cross roadways. Drivers may turn left or right off Concord without looking for pedestrians, much less a cyclist heading downhill at 30-45mph. (Like someone who didn't see spot the road crossing until they passed in front of a car that turned abruptly left without signaling but a miss is a good as a mile they say).</p></blockquote>
Another member shared <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/2619588176">their Strava map</a> (125 miles - beyond me):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ8nVxp5LQI/Xm1MEz4KxlI/AAAAAAAChN4/W1rsuru70SIALUiTE1AdnCDKm-iUyBP_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/HastingsStrava.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="908" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ8nVxp5LQI/Xm1MEz4KxlI/AAAAAAAChN4/W1rsuru70SIALUiTE1AdnCDKm-iUyBP_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/HastingsStrava.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyGmVGsqZUk/Xm1M4UTlKnI/AAAAAAAChOA/GaBQUykc0CAE4bWQtJ9MmtG9mLNjWsDJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-14%2Bat%2B4.29.16%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="863" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyGmVGsqZUk/Xm1M4UTlKnI/AAAAAAAChOA/GaBQUykc0CAE4bWQtJ9MmtG9mLNjWsDJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-14%2Bat%2B4.29.16%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
By comparison here are the parts Google knows about:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCz60ex7RLo/Xm1NwAxYciI/AAAAAAAChOM/Dppzo5emAgMECbpQnsfG1w8EGMERN9gmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-14%2Bat%2B4.33.33%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCz60ex7RLo/Xm1NwAxYciI/AAAAAAAChOM/Dppzo5emAgMECbpQnsfG1w8EGMERN9gmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-14%2Bat%2B4.33.33%2BPM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a trail from the red marker at bottom to the heart icon in Hastings but Google doesn't know anything about the trails that tracks the green space to the east of 52.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update 9/20/2020</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend and I finally did this route. We started from the Harriet Island riverboat parking, it was about 30 miles each way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The usual start of the route is to go up Wabasha to Concord then join the river trails by Kaposia landing. From that point until our lunch at The Onion in Hastings we did not travel with a single car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a great trail, but in 2021 it will get <i>much</i> better. There will soon be a bicycle trail, traffic free, from Harriet Island park to Hastings (not to mention trails through Lilydale upstream that track along the Minnesota river, and trails from Hastings downstream [1]). The problem of the St Paul airport will be solved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The new trail, unopened but almost complete, was tracked by a scofflaw friend of mine:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRhKt4VLhCA/X2feWuKbMtI/AAAAAAACpzg/8bk9f_JRojAJ2_3DqkstC8UkGedAygl2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s875/IMG_6261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRhKt4VLhCA/X2feWuKbMtI/AAAAAAACpzg/8bk9f_JRojAJ2_3DqkstC8UkGedAygl2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w340-h400/IMG_6261.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqY1AAlELxw/X2feYLF3EUI/AAAAAAACpzk/gU786sw1v0w2WnwP4w472_4Sb86e6fz2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1334/IMG_6262.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqY1AAlELxw/X2feYLF3EUI/AAAAAAACpzk/gU786sw1v0w2WnwP4w472_4Sb86e6fz2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/IMG_6262.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>Look out Hastings, hordes of cyclists will be invading and emptying your restaurants.<div><br /></div><div>- fn -</div><div><br /></div><div>[1] Local cyclist: "From Hastings there’s a trail that goes over the Highway 61 bridge and goes out to Prescott. There’s also a trail that goes south from Hastings over the Vermillion River and heads back West along the South side of the Vermillion River."</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update 4/4/2021</b>:</div><div><br /></div><div>There's <a href="http://gis.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/MississippiRiverGreenwayMap.pdf">a proper map available</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztKYc8iadZU/YGp5rnD5flI/AAAAAAACqcU/LD_ozan65GwILWUvhB6BuqgVWiTKjYnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s976/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-04%2Bat%2B9.44.35%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="903" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztKYc8iadZU/YGp5rnD5flI/AAAAAAACqcU/LD_ozan65GwILWUvhB6BuqgVWiTKjYnSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w370-h400/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-04-04%2Bat%2B9.44.35%2BPM.png" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The red segment is not a problem, there's a quiet road there not shown on the map. Since this map was created (2020?) the extension at north to Harriet Island has been opened.</div>JGFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14580785981874040314noreply@blogger.com1