Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sat, April 10, 2010 bike ride
Time to start putting some miles. Peddling started from Miller Park in EP, thru Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and then around the lakes (Calhoun, Harriet, and Lake of the Isle)and then headed back to Miller Park. About 34.5 miles....not bad for the first serious bike ride. Tally now at 50+ miles..............No time this week; but hopefully get some in next week.
Friday, April 2, 2010
2010 season
OMG..........has it been over a year since my last posting. Well I finally got on my bike last week. Slow start around the neighborhood and got in 8 miles............Today got on the LRT trail at Miller Park and made it to Chaska and back............so a little over 10 miles............total of 18+ miles...........it is a slow start........
Will try to work some in this weekend........maybe around the lakes........so hope to get at least 20+miles....................checked on the new Trek FX 7.6 and 7.9.........ugh............will have to get back to work ..............otherwise my old bike will have to do for now.
Will try to work some in this weekend........maybe around the lakes........so hope to get at least 20+miles....................checked on the new Trek FX 7.6 and 7.9.........ugh............will have to get back to work ..............otherwise my old bike will have to do for now.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year!
Hi everyone!
Well it is a new year and hopefully a new bike for the new season!!
I am partial to a TREK, unless someone tells me otherwise. I will probably look for a hybrid to use on the trails and road. If you have been reading my blogs, my other passion is fly fishing, got into it last year, so I would very much like to incorporate the two. A lot of the bike trails in southeastern MN are along rivers and creek.............want to try a little side trip and do some fly fishing along the trails.
Right now just researching and checking out the reviews and specs of the different bikes out there. So if any of you want to comment on your favs..............be sure to get online and add your pros and cons!!
I must say even in the winter months I have seen some diehards biking to and from their destination. I am impressed with their determination and amazed how creative their layering of clothing can be and the paths they've forged to weave around obstacles in the snow :-)
Will keep you posted!
In the meantime, go to the gym and do some pedaling!!
Well it is a new year and hopefully a new bike for the new season!!
I am partial to a TREK, unless someone tells me otherwise. I will probably look for a hybrid to use on the trails and road. If you have been reading my blogs, my other passion is fly fishing, got into it last year, so I would very much like to incorporate the two. A lot of the bike trails in southeastern MN are along rivers and creek.............want to try a little side trip and do some fly fishing along the trails.
Right now just researching and checking out the reviews and specs of the different bikes out there. So if any of you want to comment on your favs..............be sure to get online and add your pros and cons!!
I must say even in the winter months I have seen some diehards biking to and from their destination. I am impressed with their determination and amazed how creative their layering of clothing can be and the paths they've forged to weave around obstacles in the snow :-)
Will keep you posted!
In the meantime, go to the gym and do some pedaling!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
No bike trips this weekend!
Well, no bike rides this week. No rides..........but the treadmill and cycling at the gym keeps me active during the week! Posting pics and blogging will not be so regular; but what I plan to do in the off season is to write on different bike trails in the state and also neighboring states. Will research and post information so we can plan for next season. 30-40 miles seems to be the norm this season........so that may mean..............a little more will be expected for next season. I welcome your comments on trails that you have tried and want to share. In the meantime, keep pedaling........indoors or outdoors!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Dakota Rail Trail (Wayzata to St. Boni - RT 27.5 mi)
It's been awhile since my last post; and I hope this isn't my last post for the season. Last Sunday we did the Dakota Rail Trail......starting from the Boatworks in Wayzata. The first few blocks .....was a beautiful, regretfully no pictures taken, the brilliant orange sugar maple leaves made a beautiful backdrop for a person reading by the picnic table at Shaver Park. The newly paved trail made it a easy bike ride West toward St. Boni. The round trip clocked about 27.5 miles. Since the trail remains partially completed because of the unfinished bridge, we biked about 3 miles on the road by Smith's Bay and then got back on the trail just before Mound and then Spring Park. When we got to the end of the trail in St. Boni, there is a Lion's Club Park area and a 'quaint eatery'. The eatery closed at 2:00 pm (lost opportunity $$ from the afternoon crowd) so we took a water break sitting around their outdoor dining area............this attracted some looking for a place to eat and hangout........only to be disappointed.
It was a great Fall afternoon; and hope I will have another post before the end of the season!
Keep pedaling........
It was a great Fall afternoon; and hope I will have another post before the end of the season!
Keep pedaling........
Monday, September 15, 2008
Cannon Valley Trail - 40+miles
It was a wet weekend to say the least! Kept an eye on the weather Sunday morning; and we took a chance that it would be cloudy and hopefully stay dry till we were done with our biking. CO and I left the TC by 8:30 am headed south on Hwy 52 to Welch! Although the group would start their ride at 11:00 from Red Wing to Welch, we just had to get our miles in for the day. So the plan was to drive to Welch and do the usual 40 (Welch to Cannon Falls-10 mi, back to Welch-10 mi, then to Red Wing-10 mi, back to Welch-10 mi). The debate CO and I had was whether to join the group from Red Wing to Welch and back........have lunch and then back to Welch............grand total 60 miles or do our norm and meet the group in Red Wing and bike with them to Welch and we would just drive to Red Wing and meet the group for lunch. The decision would be made when we came back with the group from Red Wing to Welch and see if we were up for another 20 miles then the usual 40 we normally do on the Cannon Valley Trail.
As fate would have it, about half way back from the Cannon Falls to Welch, my saddle(seat) broke off. I have an old(16+ years) Trek 21-speed mountain bike, which pretty much have all the original (except for tires) parts. For sure extra screws will be added to my emergency kit. The largest of the allen wrench in my folding bike tool was used to hold the bracket in place (the screw broke) and a mini-bungee cord was wrapped around the saddle with both hooks tightly hooked to the bottom of the Allen wrench which replaced the screw that should have been bolted the saddle to the bracket. Keeping my posterior balanced on the saddle with pressure to keep the seat from slipping off the bracket took some creative maneuvering. I did not want to end this trip with less then 20 miles; so I made it back to Welch at a slower pace and told CO to go ahead and get as many miles and I would do what I can and then drive the car to Red Wing and meet the group for lunch.
It was a cool cloudy day and I felt pretty good about pedaling another 10 miles; and although CO was ahead, the group was still behind and felt I could probably still put in my 40 miles and make it back to Red Wing in time for lunch.
That I did! CO got 50+ miles and the group got their 20 in.
Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!
As fate would have it, about half way back from the Cannon Falls to Welch, my saddle(seat) broke off. I have an old(16+ years) Trek 21-speed mountain bike, which pretty much have all the original (except for tires) parts. For sure extra screws will be added to my emergency kit. The largest of the allen wrench in my folding bike tool was used to hold the bracket in place (the screw broke) and a mini-bungee cord was wrapped around the saddle with both hooks tightly hooked to the bottom of the Allen wrench which replaced the screw that should have been bolted the saddle to the bracket. Keeping my posterior balanced on the saddle with pressure to keep the seat from slipping off the bracket took some creative maneuvering. I did not want to end this trip with less then 20 miles; so I made it back to Welch at a slower pace and told CO to go ahead and get as many miles and I would do what I can and then drive the car to Red Wing and meet the group for lunch.
It was a cool cloudy day and I felt pretty good about pedaling another 10 miles; and although CO was ahead, the group was still behind and felt I could probably still put in my 40 miles and make it back to Red Wing in time for lunch.
That I did! CO got 50+ miles and the group got their 20 in.
Keep pedaling and see you on the trails!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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!!
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!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
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.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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!!
Keep Pedaling and see you on the trails!!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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!
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!
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