Relocating to the Twin Cities

[b dub]

Hi all!

I will be relocating to the Twin Cities in a few weeks from Austin,TX and had a few questions:

I am wondering what kind of trail riding I can expect up there. When do the trails open? How long do they stay open? Do you have a lot of trails in the Twin Cities area? What is the relationship like between MTB'ers and the general community/govt/tree huggers? I am coming from a really great riding area (some may say a mecca, but I wouldn't go that far) and I am just trying to gauge what level of "wet my pants" excitement I should have for my new home.

Just trying to get a feel for the area, but mostly just wanted to say HI! :cheesy:

Brian

[gopherhockey]

Hey, you came to the right place for answers.

First, I'd check out www.morcmtb.org, which has a ton of information on the pulse of riding in the area - relationships with land management etc. The site is going to be re-opened with a TON of trail reviews on April 1, but until then you can find some good trail reviews at www.bikemn.com and some race info at www.minnesotamtb.com

What area of the cities are you moving too, do you know? Well - the good thing is that it isn't too far to a good trail no matter where you live. Lebanon is my favorite - a completely rebuilt trail that continues to grow each year. (we have trail building every Tuesday and Wed. nights - hint hint ;) There are other great trails - too many to name specifically. The web sites I listed above should give you some good info, and of course the message boards here. (we just started up in November, so there hasn't been discussion much of the last riding season)

It is an exciting time for our area for trails though! We have IMBA coming in for a "Hot Spots" trail education and building week (again, check the MORC web site) - we have improved relationships with trail managers that is spreading word of mouth to the point where we almost have too much going on in the line of new trails being built.

You should feel excited to come to this area. We aren't a real true mecca.. but we're working in that direction.

As for the season - we post opening dates to be May 1, but if conditions imrpove things can open up sooner. You will learn that riding season almost never ends here - you can ride all winter long on some trails. Others, like Lebanon, have cross country skiing going on when there is snow. We're just entering the one time of the year we ask riders to stay off the trails - that being the spring thaw/melt where trails soften up and riders can do much damage. Stay tuned here for trail openings as they happen.

Oh, and the riders here are some of the best anywhere. Expect to make a lot of friends. If you like to get involved with your local biking community I think you couldn't have come to a better area.

Oh yea, and Gopher Hockey! (you'll understand once you get here hehe)

:banana:

[TrailPatrol]

I don't think anyone truly understands "gopherhockey"! ('cept maybe his mother) Now as for the University of Minnesota Gopher Hockey, aah, well. Oh never mind.

Just don't expect us to all act like the folks on "Fargo" there, don't 'cha know. The MTB scene in the Twin Cities and across the state is really booming, but we do have this thing that folks from Texas may have some trouble with: As they said in "Cool Runnings," It's like a winter sport, mon!"

But you have all week this summer to get ready for that there.

You betcha!
Hans
:banana:

[yetirider]

Hey there,

I have been lurking here for quite a while and actually relocated to the Twin Cities last fall. (just registered on this site the other day) Coming from an area that also "claims" to be a mecca, there is quite a bit of riding to do around here. Stick to this site, there are definitely quite a few with a wealth of local knowledge...

I just started racing last year doing some XC and solo 12/24 hr races. Can't wait to get involved in the mtn. bike community around here!

looking forward to seeing all of you out there!

Robb

[b dub]

Thanks guys for all the info and links! I will have to do some surfing when I have a little more free time.

It's exciting to hear that ya'll ( ;) ) ride most of the year, including winter. I have never ridden in snow before so I better get a set of chains :D

Yeah, I am kind of glad to be moving up this time of year, since summers are beautiful up there (I have been there a few times to visit family).

As for the cold, it shouldn't be too big of a deal; I grew up in MI. As long as it doesn't get below 50F....errr.... it doesn't get below 50F does it??? :confused: :D

Hope to meet ya'll soon.

Brian

edit: just looked at the bikemn.com website and I noticed quite a few trails near to where I will be living (Apple Valley/Eagan/Burnsville haven't decided which one yet). YES!!

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by b dub

As for the cold, it shouldn't be too big of a deal; I grew up in MI. As long as it doesn't get below 50F..... it doesn't get below 50F does it

You mean above, right? :shocked:

[KleinCrazy]

One thing you might want to consider is the possible excess of gears that your bike might have.

You will quickly learn that there is a very large and vocal Singlespeed community up here who do alot within the trail building community as well as the race and social scene.

All of the trails in the cities are rideable on a single and most of them are almost perfect for one.

If you've never gone basic, Let me know when you get up here and we can find you one to mash on for a while and get you hooked.


Sincerely,
You local Singlespeed Pimp/Dealer.
For more Info www.carsrcoffins.com

L8er

[bigfoot]

Brian,

If you need help looking for a place to live I can hook you up. I know that area well.
Give me a call: 612-251-8241
Kent

[b dub]

Thanks for the offer, Kent. I have a place to stay for a couple of months so I haven't done any house hunting yet. If I have any questions, I will be sure to give you a call.

WRT single speed; I have my first MTB that I have been thinking about converting. I need to find a threaded front shock and a conversion kit and I will be ready to roll. That thing is a P-I-G, but it should be good exercise for when I want to roll on the geared bike. What kind of pedals do most 1-speeders use (clipless or platforms)? Just curious.

Brian

[KleinCrazy]

You should have no problem finding parts for the conversion.

I find that the New Time ATAC Z's are the perfect predal for a single. Time clipless in both sides of a very large platform.

If you have any other question let me know.

James