Looks like our family will be joining some friends in Mpls at the end of July. Likely staying near the Mall of America and I need to get in a long ride that weekend before IMC. I’ll likely leave the car with my wife so I’d like to some tips on routes that would head south of the city. I’ll find a way to connect to that route from my hotel, but I need a starting point.
Basically, areas to avoid (busy roads, roads without shoulders), personal favorite roads or routes, etc.
Thanks in advance!
If you’re near the MOA there is an extensive trail/park boulevard system along the mississippi river which wouldn’t be far to get to - should be able to accommodate even the longest rides without too many loops.
Go to www.mntriclub.com; then click on training and clinics and there is a listing of four century rides. The one that is listed as the southwest ride leaves from Bloomington and heads to Jordan, New Prague and then Montgomery. It is an out and back ride so you can go as far as you like but if you go past Montgomery before turning around you will get in 100 miles. The club also has one organized century ride per month, not sure when the July one is planned but you can check the website and it might be the same weekend you are in town.
I am a fan of getting out onto highway 13 (to get to highway 13 go east on american bvld then eventually it will pass the wildlife refuge and there is a bike path on the left side that takes you over the river alongside 494 and just take it till you can take your first right, you will do down a ramp, and then go straight for a bit (up a small hill) and then you will come to a parking lot. Exit the parking lot toward the stoplight, and take a right at the stoplight) you should then be going on highway 13 south. then turn left on blackhawk road its a stoplight (to avoid highway 62, I stayed on 13 when it crossed 62 and I thought I was going to die) then take blackhawk road for a bit then eventually you will get to a stop light and take a left. then you will go straight for a while, some good hills there too. Then you will be able to find some good roads (fairly clear of cars)
Or you can go north on highway 13 into mendota heights and then into south saint paul.
The river is nice too in mpls, but I typically find there many cars, but no matter where you go expect to see cars.
Feel free to ask me questions, I live right by the mall of america so I know some routes.
p.s I hope my directions make sense.
Bike along Mississippi River Rd., over to Minnehaha Pkwy., then over and around the lakes (Nokomis, Harriet, Calhoon, and Lake of the Isles). It’s about as beautiful as urban biking gets.
If you can, stop by Grand Performance bike shop (http://www.gpbicycles.com/). It’s not too far away. The owner, Dan Casebeer, is a former national team rider; and the shop has been tri-friendly since the '80s. I’m sure they can recommend lots of great routes.
Can check this out, too: http://www.mapmyride.com/
.
Riding the Minnesota River from Chaska to Henderson is a great ride. For about half the ride its on the river plans climbing up and down from the bluffs. Good hills, good re-supply points, low traffic and a decent shoulder for most of the ride.
hahahaha blackhawk road good times… yeah take blackhawk though traffic coming off of cedar is rough depending on when you get there and at my level 50 mph isnt what i can hold to hold my own next to cars and truck that are merging off of that road onto 13. but its beautiful out there and a great place to go and get lost there are multiple ways to go but the way CL suggested is one that we have done with great success and its a sexy ride decent shoulders and lots of two lane highways.
Highway 3 to northfield. Northfield is almost straight south of the MOA (or as we say at our house, the Death Star) . Look it up on bikeroute toaster. easy to get to, no scenery to speak of. A very boring ride, but it is simple, almost impossible to get lost. full size shoulder almost the whole way, maybe a mile total without shoulder. it has flats, it has good size rollers, and at least as important, it has very few stop signs. The lakes are scenic but you’ll have traffic because you are right in the center of town and the ride will be choppy, the trails are decent, but if you need to put in some long saddle time then go down to northfield.
there is a dairy queen at the north end of town, so you can get an ice cream or chili dog at the turn around. (or both if you are feeling reckless)
When you look at the map you’ll see that you are right by the river. there is a bike path over the river on the I-494 bridge, the path is only about a mile from the death star. As a side note, look for the working farm just southeast of the mall. It is an interesting juxtapostion to see sheep and horses grazing in the shadow of the biggest flippin’ mall this side of the missisippi.
there is a dairy queen at the north end of town, so you can get an ice cream or chili dog at the turn around. (or both if you are feeling reckless)
I just happen to own a Dairy Queen, too funny!
I might have to take a closer look at this option just for the chance at a milkshake at the turn, but likely no chili dog!
Thanks everyone, great route ideas and lots to choose from!
These are very helpful. For someone who always rides in the northeast part of the cities, it is nice to see some rides elsewhere.