LRT-EP to Victoria 38+miles

Started out early at 7:30 am and met CO on Crosstown and headed down through Minnetonka Park Trail that went through the wetlands south of Hwy 7 and then through one person bike tunnel under Hwy 7 and winds north.

On a side note, when I first came across this, I went right by this tunnel because it did not look like it was used by bikers. As you can see it is a pretty tight squeeze. This trail winds around the wetlands to two blocks south of the LRT trail on Hwy 101. It was a beautiful morning, cool, quiet, with just a few runners and walkers on the trail. As we passed through Excelsior, the trail beyond shaded by trees gave me a preview of what a spectacular picture the trail would present when the colors change in the fall. Beside dodging rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels along the way, we had a turkey race across the trail and disappear in the woods. Just a mile or so before the city of Victoria is the4 entrance to the Carver County Park Reserve. We were able to add a few more miles to our ride. Part of the trails was closed for repaving; and since we started early the Visitor's Center was not open yet. This is a popular park for winter and summer activities. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing makes it a popular place for family to rent equipment and take lessons as first timers.



On the way back, took time out watching the sailboats cruising the lakes.
My total of 38+ miles and CO 40+ miles made it for a great early morning ride..........Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!!

Just a short ride 23 miles

Did a quick bike ride on the LRT bike trail from Hopkins to the Lakes. Went twice around Lake of the Isles and Calhoun so clocked about 12+ miles. It was a nice relaxing mid-afternoon ride. Beautiful backdrop of Lake Calhoun with all the windsurfers taking advantage of the wind blowing across the lake. Made me think of two winters ago sitting on the sands of Haleiwa Beach watching the surfers riding the waves as the wind picked up for the afternoon. Got home in time to start dinner and relax before an early rise to do some fly fishing instead of biking tomorrow. Keep pedaling and see you on the trails.

North Cedar Lake Trail - Round the Lakes -(25 miles)

Just a quick ride around the lakes. No pictures to share. Drove to the Park N Ride in Hopkins and got on the paved trail north riding parallel to 169 to hook up to the North Cedar Lake Trail. Clocked 6.3 miles and (did not go straight..trail runs parallel to 394 heading into downtown)...instead veered to the right to 28th Greenway Trail and then hop on the Calhoun Parkway Trail. Biked around Lake of the Isle.......very scenic about a miles on the north side you see the progress of the new Pohland's home. Continued on to circle Calhoun and join up to Harriet, back to Calhoun...........total of 9+ miles around the three lakes..........headed back on the LRT back to Hopkins. Nice quick ride......25 miles RT

Keep Pedaling and see you on the trails!!

LRT and Greenway Bike Trail (37+miles)

Perfect day for a bike ride.....blue skies, mid sixties, wind 14-15 ...a challenge on the way back...........


Started from home and got on EP Road to the LRT Trail under the Crosstown Bridge. This limestone gravel bike trail winds around
Shady Oak Lake as it turns to a paved trail in Hopkins


Pedaling on through St. Louis Park........pass Lake Calhoun and continued on to the end of the Greenway Bike Trail to downtown Mpls.



Take the time to check out the view of the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge over Hiawatha Avenue.
You can view the Mpls skyline and the architectural design of this bridge.








Biking against the wind made it a little tough on the way back. One way was approximately 17 miles Added another 3 miles around Lake Calhoun on the way back.



The Coffee Depot in Hopkins..........a meeting spot for cyclist and a great central meeting place for bikers to start their ride on the various trails.

Early start got me back before noon with plenty of time to do other things the rest of the day.

See you on the Trails!

LRT Trail from EP to Chaska 28+miles

Good morning,
Just finished a ride with CO through the SW metro. Early start from Miller Park parking lot got us on the LRT limestone gravel trail through EP neighborhoods, along Lake Riley down to Chaska crossing Hwy 212 and then along the Gedney Pickle Factory as we accessed the bike trail that weaved through the neighborhood and through the new tunnel under Hwy 41.

CO led a bike ride on this trail earlier in the summer. The trail is paved, which made a smooth ride around the neighborhood and to Lake Grace.


It was a cool quiet morning on the trail, passing a few early walkers with their dogs and some early bikers taking advantage of the cool temperatures before the rise of the mercury by mid-day. A stop at one of the pavilions in Fireman's Park for a power bar break (hydrate, hydrate) then a stop at Chaska Lawn and Garden Store, which is a great stop for gardeners. We biked through town to catch the trail along the Mn River.



Great trail along the river, where some cars were parked next to the river by the river access for boats. On the other side of the trail is access to the Courthouse Lake next to the Carver County Building. As a side note, the Courthouse Lake (see my Cast On The Fly blog) is stocked with trout (FF check it out). Noticed a walking trail along the perimeter of the lake where people can find a fishing spot if the dock close to the parking lot is not your ideal spot.

We covered the trail quickly and were back on the LRT heading back to EP. We had hoped to clock at least 30 miles; but fell short by 1.5...........but who's counting :-)

Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!

Elm Creek Park Bike Trails.............30+miles

CO purchased a new book, listing bike rides on different trails in MN so one that we checked out was the Elm Creek Park. This park covers a VERY wide area so we decided to start in Champlin, going north on Hwy 169. We left EP at 7:30 am sharp!

According to the map, it marked Trailhead Cycling & Fitness parking lot as the ride start. As an FYI, I would just look for the 'Champlin' water tower and park in the parking lot that is next to it..........there is usually access to the trail from there.

While on the trail, met other helpful bikers, when needed, who stopped and gave us directions to find our way and one even had us follow him. So with a guide, we told us about the new building, a warming house for X-ctry skiers in the winter. Most of the metro local high schools Nordic teams use this park as to practice area when there is no snow(they have snow-making machines). Practice is quite rigorous with the hills and bends. That day the Champlin HS nordic team was out there on their roller skiing skates practicing, while their coach rode his bike, one of the helpful bikers.

The biking community are usually friendly and helpful. At least on this trail they were. A pleasant surprise for my friend, CO, was running into a former bike club member. He was on bike patrol along the trails today, and encouraged us on to Rapids Dam Regional Park. The city trails in Dayton and Champlin and a regional trails connects Elm Creek to CRDR Park in Brooklyn Park. (of course last year we did this but we started from Coon Rapids to the dam). Also, along with my other passion FF (see my other blog) we had a meeting at the pavillion in CRDR Park, where we practice our fly casting and did some fishing (pan). Okay that's another blog so back to biking.

It was getting pretty warm; but the visitor's center is great place to stop and visit with the park worker at the center. They are certainly happy to chat because I am sure it get's lonely; and they are willing to look up stuff on their site and even print it out for us etc. This is also a good time to hydrate, refill your water bottle, and power bar and/or banana.

As we were leaving, we did not notice that a group of people settled under a tree with their telescope focused on an osprey nest on the top of the power line. As an amateur birder, your ears are keen to an unfamiliar bird sound. It created quite a commotion because of the loudness and intensity of the sound. As noted by the group under the tree, the parents were coaxing their fledgling out of the nest. Hmmmmmmmmm is that what you call a baby osprey. Since my first sighting of these birds of prey was in Jackson Hole along the river heading north to Yellowstone, I did not realize we had ospreys here. Continued down the trail pedaling our bikes over the dam, where we observed quite an active group of people fishing at the bottom of the dam. They were fishing for small mouth bass. Information to pass on to my FFgals.

We headed back; and pleased that the total miles in the end will be 33+ miles. We were done before noon. After loading our bikes back on the rack, we checked out the bike shop and chatted with 'younger' serious bikers. They just clocked 100 miles for the morning...........Heck..........I think we did 'superfantastic'. hmmm I heard that saying somewhere before! Anyone recognized that?

Remember, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate..........bananas and power bars.....
Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!

Cannon Valley Bike Trail.(40+miles)......one of MN best bike trails

This is a must each year. It is a great place to add some miles, paved trail, and many options to start and end. My biking buddy, CO, has the best plan so this is how we did it last year, my first 40+miles. We started at Welch and headed to Cannon Falls(10 miles) and returned to Welch(+10) and headed to Red Wing(10) and had lunch at the restaurant at the bowling alley (end of the trail)...........great lunch menu........always settled for the California burger with fries...........refilled water bottle with ice/water. We headed back to Welch(10)............about 41 miles clocked on CO's bike odometer.

This year we did it again; but with a slight twist. We decided to go on a weekday and meet two other people there. Our time of departure from the TC was 7:30 am. An unexpected flat tire on CO's bike, which required more than a tube replacement, did not deter us from leaving on time. There is a bike shop in Red Wing but shop opens at 10:00 am..............no matter, a couple of phone calls later got us to the only Cannon Falls hardware store. As typical in small towns, it is also a bike repair shop and they are open early........... at 7:30 am...........Bikers, this is good to know! Great service and VERY reasonable small town price! CO also bought an extra tube!

Our starting point was Cannon Falls to Welch where we met up with the other two. Down to Red Wing (20+ miles), where we had lunch at the bowling alley. The other two dropped off while CO and I biked it back to Cannon Falls..........Whew! We did it 40+.........

........just remember $3.00 per biker (honor system) for use of the trails.................Worth it!!
Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!...................

Root River State Bike Trails (100+miles)

I am glad I accepted my friend's invitation to attend their club's annual 'Weekend on the Farm' in southeastern part of the state.
Canoeing, kayaking, biking, farm and Amish tours, and wagon ride through the acres of farm field were on the list of activities to choose from. Biking the Root River Trail is a must and listed as one of the best in the state. It is a span of 51 miles or so, which some do a one-way trip and are picked up at the end of the trail. Round trip in sections was our plan of attack. My friend, CO a seasoned biker, got me started last year. Going around the neighborhood lake twice or three times was my idea of biking. The average 6-mile rides was a bragging comment in casual conversations.

Anyway, back to the 'farm' and the biking. The river bluffs and lush farm fields made it an enjoyable ride.

An early start got us out there and on the trails by 11:30. We decided to do a warm-up of 12 miles around the town of Decorah, IA. the trails went along the Iowa River...............some great spots for fly fishing (check out my Cast On the Fly blog). Mid morning brought canoeing and kayaking action on the river. A stop at Dunning Springs Park was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful setting and getting your feet wet in the clear cold water is enough to keep you cool for the rest of the bike trip. It's a quaint town and home to Luther College.

One(7-8) of the groups slept in the newly built garage with windows strategically placed for cross-wind to keep the air well circulated. The temp in the evening was very comfortable as we were tucked in our sleeping bags on air mattresses or 4-inch thick foam mat pads. The others were in their tents that was scattered around the huge farm lawn that lush, green, and thick(without weeds). It was restful and I must say the mooing of the cows was a great alternative to an alarm clock blaring in your ears. CO and I had our lunches packed and bikes strapped on the rack and headed to Lanesboro for the start of our 53 miles trek for the day. The others did the kayak or canoe thing on the Iowa River. Lanesboro seems to be the hub, a biking mecca. Our destination was to at least get to Rushford. First stop was Whalan, home of the 'best homemade pies' and that was 4.6 miles. No, we hydrated.............no pies............just our power bar. A couple did the ride for the pies; and figured the RT miles was enough to burn those calories...........I don't think so!

Next town was Peterson, add 8.9 miles, beautiful trails with lots of trees and of course the river 'runs along side it'.............fly fishing mecca..............then on to Rushford, add 4.8 miles. Last year this town was under water because of the heavy rains and lots of the trails was washed away. Take the time to stop at the depot..............see the before and after pictures............a restroom break.............and refill your water jug at the water fountain. Banana and power bar for more energy..............and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

We decided to just go further; but not quite to Houston, another 12.6 miles. We biked just before the steep hill; and by then we were ready to turn around. Our incentive back was a stop at the 'pie shop' in Whalen.

We pedaled our way back, not in record time but paced it so we hydrated properly. A dehydrating experience last year is something I do not want to repeat! It is VERY important to heed your body warnings.

In Whalen, the pie shop is very quaint where the screened porch gives you an opportunity to watch bikers go by and of course watch those ruby-throated hummingbirds play 'musical feeders' with the 4 feeders strategically placed by the porch for our viewing pleasure.

In the end, a shower, cool refreshment, and good company was a perfect way to end the day..................

On our last day, we got the car packed for the trip home. Of course, we planned a bike trip that morning. We did our good-byes and group pictures before others hit the road back and few of us decided another bike ride on the trails for the last time.

CO and I started from Harmony and planned to make it to Preston (12.3 miles) This was a little different because of the 'steep grades' at least 3-4 on the trail. It was hotter because it was more open with the trails along the fields. I enjoyed the trail along Camp Creek, which meandered through the farm lands dotted with milking and beef cows. It is a great place to fly fish especially as you got closer to Preston. We decided to pedal further to Isinours Junction (add 4.7). There we met a couple resting and gazing out at the golf course next to the rest stop. They recognized us from the pie shop the day before. He fly fishes so he and I had a dialog about the area (I need to add this to my fly fishing blog--Cast On The Fly)

So RT we accumulated some miles and were happy with the result as we loaded up our bikes to start our trip home. Hungry, but well hydrated, we made a stop at a DQ on the way.

You bikers out there, be sure to add the Root River Bike Trail as one of the places to check out for the season. Also, stop back to comment about it so others will try it out armed with some inside info.

In the meantime, Happy Trails To You!!

Have you changed a flat tire on a bike?

Biking the trail, gravel and paved, for the second summer has challenged me to increase the mileage per rides. Focused on this and the fact that I have never changed a flat tire in my life challenged me to be creative. Of course, I have had flat tires before; but a stop at the bike shop or a biking buddy on the trail was my way of taking care of it

This morning, bright and early, the bike shop is closed, my bike rack on the car, and I am ready to load as I prepare to meet fellow bikers on the trail. No way a flat was going to prevent me from biking. So.......................

Armed with a spare tube, tire levers, and an air pump. Unfortunately, no instructions on how to do this left me challenged; but not discouraged. I had my laptop! Access to the internet! Google a 'How to change a bike tire' via U-Tube is biker's saving grace!

Brought my computer to the garage and booted it on as I took an inventory of the parts needed to do this. Thank goodness for the internet........... personal instructions at my whim. As I played the video, I would start it, repeat it, and review it as needed...........so it was a custom class on 'How to'. I saved it for future use; but it's like riding a bike! Once you learn how to do it, you never forget!