Where to start?

[homebrewbiker]

OK, this is admittedly a little bit of a dumb question. I know, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people:D

Anyway, I have managed to organize a pack of riders, many beginners and I thought MN River Bottoms would be a great choice. But I am not sure what the best access point is (we are all coming from Minneapolis). I hear one of the bridges is out. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance ...

[zerpy]

OK, this is admittedly a little bit of a dumb question. I know, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people:D

Anyway, I have managed to organize a pack of riders, many beginners and I thought MN River Bottoms would be a great choice. But I am not sure what the best access point is (we are all coming from Minneapolis). I hear one of the bridges is out. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance ...
Hmmm, I'm not a river bottoms expert, as I've only ridden it a couple of times, but I'd go for the lyndale entrance. Since you've got some beginners, some of the hills on the east end might be a bit of a challenge, at least physically. The path west of lyndale is flatter and I think has more variety. Seems I remember that the bigger log crossings have bypasses for the beginners that aren't comfortable with them. Then on your way back from the west end, if people want to continue on, then take on the east end and the ones that don't want to go can get off at lyndale...

[noise_is_life]

Actually for a beginner group I would think it would be good to start at Bloomington ferry since it is flat all the way to the raft, then the beginners can turn around at the raft and the more advanced riders can continue on the the east side.

[TomT]

Actually for a beginner group I would think it would be good to start at Bloomington ferry since it is flat all the way to the raft, then the beginners can turn around at the raft and the more advanced riders can continue on the the east side.I agree. I start my kids this way. The only tough areas I could see for a beginner are the first downhill out of the parking lot (step, gravel, ruts), and the dip/cross the water/short step climb (questionable surface at the bottom and a step climb up the other side).

If you head west from Lyndale, you get a flat boring gravel road, two or three logs that are probably too tough for beginners, and then the raft.

[iceskier]

Agreed. The Ferry Bridge is the place to start. I started my wife there and she enjoyed it a lot!! She liked how wide it was.

[seberly]

There are NO BRIDGES OUT!