South East Metro Road Riders - Routes?

[gopherhockey]

Keeping on my road kick for today, I'm curious if there are any other riders out there who live in the SE metro (Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley etc.) and what routes you take?

I like to get out of town as quick as I can (head south) and take roads like 160 over to Hastings - often jogging down northfield Blvd and back up goodwin Ave.

That or I go south on Cedar until it turns into Galaxie and then hits 280th, where the nice shouldered roads kind of end.

Both are around 40 mile routes, but now I'm tiring of them. I like roads with some shoulder rather than riding on the actual road itself. For example, when I go between Goodwin and Northfield blvd I'm on 190th which is a very narrow busted up road with absolutely no shoulder - I normally feel pretty unsafe there because people can't pass me sometimes.

I'm thinking of going 160 to northfield south to 280 and then loop back up Cedar, but 280 is pretty narrow as well.

It would be nice if mapquest or others would show more info on the type of roads...

Anyone have any other favorite routes in the SE area they might suggest?

[fasterfoster]

Keeping on my road kick for today, I'm curious if there are any other riders out there who live in the SE metro (Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley etc.) and what routes you take?...

Anyone have any other favorite routes in the SE area they might suggest?I know exactly what you mean. I have several shorter routes that are very similar to yours. It seems like everytime I try to change it up a little and explore, I end up on a busy road with no shoulder. If you hear of anything, post up!

[jjrsds]

John, give me a call or email me I live by Pilot Knob and 180th in Farmington. There are some alternatives but not to many hills. I ride the road bike about twice a week in this area and drive the rest of Dakota County the rest of the week while working.

[PMC]

John,
If you want to meet up with a group of guys that know pretty much every route in your area, look no further than John Dahl's Saturday morning coffee ride that leaves Caribou Coffee in Rosemount at 7am sharp every Saturday morning until the weather goes south. It would also be a good group to ride with if you're newer to group rides on the road.

Shoot me a PM if you need Mr Dahl's email address for more info.
Pete

[ApValWheels]

John - I like to head north from AV on Galaxie to 13, ride a couple of miles on 13 (the worst part of the ride) then ride the Mendota Trail to Lyndale, then ride along the river in the park to Harriet Island. It is about a 30 mile roundtrip from the MN zoo. Much more enjoyable than the flat, straight stuff going south. For added mileage I go from Harriet Island through St. Paul to the Gateway Trail. If I take that to the end and return it is about 75 miles. I suck much less exhaust :sick: on this ride than on anything else.

[Ish]

John - I like to head north from AV on Galaxie to 13, ride a couple of miles on 13 (the worst part of the ride) then ride the Mendota Trail to Lyndale, then ride along the river in the park to Harriet Island. It is about a 30 mile roundtrip from the MN zoo.

Then ride up Ohio (nice little hill ;) ), up Smith, down Dodd, 149, hiway 3. It is more in the "city" than the rides you say you want - but try it. Great hills, not a lot of stopsigns/lights and nice shoulders.

[jeffgude]

I have a couple state maps that are helpful - "explore Minnesota Bikeways - Metro East edition. Roads are color coded for traffic levels but a little out of date...

Some other helpful links

http://www.littletransport.com/tc_bicycling_map.htm

http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/planning/bike/index.htm

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/map.html

http://www.trailresources.com/0962091847.html

I like this route, starting at Leb: Johnny Cake N to Deerwood, E to Wescott, cross Hwy 149 & S 100 yards to Rich Valley Blvd S to Barnes Ave, then dart across 55 to Inver Grove Trail, N to 70th St, W to Blaine, N to Upper 55th St, N to Salem Church Rd, then W to Mendota Hts Rd, back to hy 13...