What are some good road rides?

[Wolfchimp]

For those of us new to the Twin Cities or road riding in general. Where are the good road routes? Group rides?

[manual63]

The only good road ride is the one where you get your mountain bike and ride off-road......:D

Wait......I mean........no I don't......:laugh::laugh:

[Wolfchimp]

The only good road ride is the one where you get your mountain bike and ride off-road......:D

Wait......I mean........no I don't......:laugh::laugh:
I'd take bombing through dirt and woods over riding pavement. I'm a mountain biker first and then a roadie. I figure road riding will help with my spinning, in turn, helping my mountain biking!

[Danimal]

I can't help either. I'm a road bike terrorist. Strictly off road for me. I think "Grizzyadam" is a road guru though. Adam you out there? Adam?

[TML]

For those of us new to the Twin Cities or road riding in general. Where are the good road routes? Group rides?

Opposite side of the cities from Chaska, but Washington county and the St. Croix valley is a stellar place for riding the road. Beautiful scenery, wide shoulders and some cool little towns.

Check out: http://www.rideandglide.bizland.com/

[manual63]

I'd take bombing through dirt and woods over riding pavement. I'm a mountain biker first and then a roadie. I figure road riding will help with my spinning, in turn, helping my mountain biking!

I bought a road bike so I could also cross train. It's got about a years worth of dust on it right now......:laugh::laugh:

[GearDaddy]

Try Twin Cities Bicycling Club at http://www.biketcbc.org. They are a friendly, non-racing club. It is true that there are a lot of older riders, but the club is quite large and very organized. Their "A" rides can be quite fast too. Going on their rides is a great way to get more familiarized with good routes.

Otherwise, the Gopher Wheelmen do regular Tuesday and Thursday night rides up around Roseville. Penn Cycle also has rides the leave from their Bloomington and Eagan store locations. Many other racing clubs out there can be referenced from http://www.mcf.net.

Or just go out and explore. You can't go wrong in the TC really, as there are many great "secondary" roads all over the cities. IMO, the best riding in and near the cities is either SouthEast towards Minnetonka/Eden Praire/Chaska or to the East near the St. Croix river valley.

[PWAXON]

The Twin Cities Bicycle Club has a ride atlas out with a lot of great rides all over the cities and a few in WI.

I just photocopy the pages I want from a library copy.

[Tex]

I've done several road rides out west of the cities. Through Minnetonka, Wayzata, and those areas and have had pretty good luck with wide roads, and courteous drivers.

[soupboy]

...you can start DT or any point west and get in some quality road miles in the Western burbs out and around Lake Minnetonka. Lot of roadies out that way, decent roads and drivers that are accustomed to riders on the shoulder.

Sean

[redBeard]

I live next to Lebanon Hills in Dakota Cty. I have to agree that Washington Cty (St. Croix Falls, Stillwater areas) rule for road rides, but I'm fortunate enough (and able) to ride out my back door and into 'cornfield county'.... If you don't mind rather flat roads and lots of farms, Dakota Cty is a good place for training rides. I have a couple of looooong routes that include less than 12 stoplights.

Some roads with paved shoulders include Hwy 3 (very heavily traveled however..); Ctys 46, 47, 66, 23 (south of Lakeville). I think all of the county roads are paved, and more than a few town roads are, as well.

To the southwest, a common route is start in Lakeville and head west to Jordon, down to New Prague, back to either the Hwy 35 frontage road back to Lakeville or head further east and then back to Lakeville via Farmington.

[trogolodyte16]

If you can get to Lake Calhoun or Cedar Lake there is a fast paved two-lane bike trail that takes you to Lake Minnetonka. From there take a lap or two and return, a good ride. ;)

[homebrewbiker]

If you can get to Lake Calhoun or Cedar Lake there is a fast paved two-lane bike trail that takes you to Lake Minnetonka. From there take a lap or two and return, a good ride. ;)

Is that Kennilworth? That turns into a dirt/crushed limestone path when it hits Hopkins. I haven't wanted to take my road bike on that portion.

[trogolodyte16]

Is that Kennilworth? That turns into a dirt/crushed limestone path when it hits Hopkins. I haven't wanted to take my road bike on that portion.

It is, however after all this rain, Cable yesterday...a littel gravel seems like a mere annoyance....as long as you don't fall over! ;)