Commuing South burbs??

[bikeoutback]

I am starting a new job in little more than a week and my drive has gotten shorter, 23 miles down to 13 miles thus allowing me the option to consider biking to work now. I have an old mongoose mtn bike I'm thinking of fixing back up and converting (hopefully for not much $$) to commute on. My main problem is I have no idea at all how to get out of Apple Valley and all the way to Edina?? Driving would be 77 north to 494 west to penn, then a frontage road over to Xerses, hang a right and turns into York and building right there. Anybody familiar with any of this trip and have any route suggestions? Also where are the crossing points of the river?? Once I figure these out I may be able to get the rest hopefully. I did search forums and read quite a bit but didn't find the detail I needed, I did read somewhere about 494 bike path, where is that located and run from? Thanks for any help, think once I get a route somewhat picked or and idea of what direction I'm heading in I can give it a test run on the weekend and see what it's like. Maybe I'll start by driving half way and riding the rest to get into shape.

[ppgc]

Anybody familiar with any of this trip and have any route suggestions? Also where are the crossing points of the river?? Once I figure these out I may be able to get the rest hopefully. I did search forums and read quite a bit but didn't find the detail I needed, I did read somewhere about 494 bike path, where is that located and run from?

I am going from Bloomington to Eagan. Man I wish the old cedar bridge was still open. there is a path that runs along 494. See here: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=99792

It isn't too busy usually. Now you just have to figure out how to get there from AV. :)

[bikeoutback]

Now that I know where that is I don't think it helps much, appears to be on east side and I'm heading to the west side to Edina. Anybody from Minneapolis ever ride down to south suburbs?? Where do you cross the river?

[Trevize1138]

Now that I know where that is I don't think it helps much, appears to be on east side and I'm heading to the west side to Edina. Anybody from Minneapolis ever ride down to south suburbs?? Where do you cross the river?

Unfortunately, your options are VERY limited and largely due to the Cedar Ave. bridge being closed.

If you're going far enough West there's the ferry bridge next to 169. Other than that, maybe your best bet would be to hop the #444 bus just to hop you across the river on Hwy 77 *shrug*.

[bikeoutback]

Unfortunately, your options are VERY limited and largely due to the Cedar Ave. bridge being closed.

If you're going far enough West there's the ferry bridge next to 169. Other than that, maybe your best bet would be to hop the #444 bus just to hop you across the river on Hwy 77 *shrug*.

That was what I was afraid of. I'm heading right around the Penn avenue and 494 area, about a mile from there, will have to see what the mileage is to head all the way over to 169. Starting to think maybe I'll just roll up to that parking and ride lot by the MOA next to light rail and at least bike across bloomington into Edina, it's better than nothing I figure.

[dopey048]

Why did they close the cedar bridge?

[GearDaddy]

The 494 crossing isn't too bad. Starting from Hwy 42/Galaxie and going to Penn/494 is about 17 miles.

The route shown follows Galaxie, which turns into Blackhawk, going all the way to Hwy 13. Good road shoulders and mostly downhill. Then follow Hwy 13 to 494 crossing. You can go up the hill to the overlook parking lot to catch the paved path going back down the hill which connects to the pedestrian bridge, or you can take a hike-a-bike short cut up a dirt path right from Hwy 13 to bypass the pedestrian bridge altogether. Once across the river the route follows American Blvd (traffic is relatively light here) to 12th Ave. I'd suggest crossing 494 here and going up to 76th street, then following that west. You could also take 77th but there's a bit more traffic on that. You'll run into a bit more of some busy traffic when crossing 35W. Depending on where you're going, there are certainly some alternatives to avoiding the traffic in Richfield and Edina.

[ppgc]

Why did they close the cedar bridge?

Nobody wanted to maintain it after the state gave it to Bloomington. The metal started to rust away and the wood flooring was getting weak. I think we need to get some sort of fund started to reopen the sucker. Even if it is just 2x10's and blocks. Or maybe a raft? :)

[bikeoutback]

Dan,

thankyou very much on laying that out for me and the map. What are you using to map that? I guess I've been trying to figure out where to go and so much of it seem so far, biking down blackhawk all the way up to 494 seems like a long long long ways, but 17 miles doens't sound that long. Time to quit wussing out and just give it a try this summer, of course I still have about 2 weeks till I start over in Edina but maybe I'll ride it this weekend to see how it is with lighter traffic.

[GearDaddy]

Dan,

thankyou very much on laying that out for me and the map. What are you using to map that? I guess I've been trying to figure out where to go and so much of it seem so far, biking down blackhawk all the way up to 494 seems like a long long long ways, but 17 miles doens't sound that long. Time to quit wussing out and just give it a try this summer, of course I still have about 2 weeks till I start over in Edina but maybe I'll ride it this weekend to see how it is with lighter traffic.

The mapping tool is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
It's a real cool thing, with the only downside being that google maps are a bit out-of-date. For instance, it currently doesn't show the latest info on American Blvd. in Bloomington, which makes it at least 1 year out-of-date.

The good news with the 494 route is that the only significant hill to climb while going towards Edina is right along Hwy 494 going up into Bloomington.

The old Bloomington Ferry Rd. crossing (near 169) is definitely going the long way, and you'll definitely have to tackle a few more hills along the way too. But sometimes that's a good thing! :)

[ppgc]

The good news with the 494 route is that the only significant hill to climb while going towards Edina is right along Hwy 494 going up into Bloomington.

That way isnt' as bad as biking from Bloomington into Eagan up that hill. But if you hit 13 it shouldn't be as bad as pilot knob. Into Bloomington is pretty gradual along 494 as long as the headwind isn't too bad. ;)

-p

[bikeoutback]

That way isnt' as bad as biking from Bloomington into Eagan up that hill. But if you hit 13 it shouldn't be as bad as pilot knob. Into Bloomington is pretty gradual along 494 as long as the headwind isn't too bad. ;)

-p

But I'd still have to get home so I still have to go up the hill, only on a bright side that would be after work, not as much of a hurry. Goal by end of summer is to make this round trip entirely at once.

[ppgc]

But I'd still have to get home so I still have to go up the hill, only on a bright side that would be after work, not as much of a hurry. Goal by end of summer is to make this round trip entirely at once.

From Bloomington to 13 isn't too bad, but to Pilot Knob can get a little long. :) Have fun, I might pass you in the AM if you take that route.

-pete

[mara]

If you want to skip riding on 13, you can take Pilot Knob all the way up to the 494 bridge crossing. On road is mostly decent, but there are bike paths the entire way, too.

[ppgc]

If you want to skip riding on 13, you can take Pilot Knob all the way up to the 494 bridge crossing. On road is mostly decent, but there are bike paths the entire way, too.

That is the way I have been taking. Works well for me.

-pete

[GearDaddy]

Hwy 13 has wide shoulders. Plus, if traffic is busy you can get a draft off of the cars. :p
Youv'e got to climb into Eagan one way or another, and Blackhawk is one of the most gradual ways.

Pilot Knob can get really busy and has no shoulder. Yes, there is a bike path, but either way you've got to watch those cars. Plus, Pilot Knob is going to be a series of rolling hills, and you have to go through the busy interchange with 35E.

So, if you want to punch it on the hills, there's lots of alternatives. I sometimes take the long way home by going from Bloomington across 494 to Hwy 13, then turn up Lone Oak Rd. (mmm.... 9% grade hill), bouncing around through Eagan, Burnsville, and Savage, and then crossing back into Bloomington at the 169 crossing. At least 40 miles. Once you start commuting more, the miles will just easily melt away.

[bretb]

I'm interested in trying this from AV to downtown Mpls. I've driven across the 494 bridge from Bloomington to Eagan but never noticed a bike/walking path. Can someone describe it? Is it just the shoulder, or is it separated?

Thanks.

[steef]

It's separated by a fence on the south side of 494.

[bretb]

It's separated by a fence on the south side of 494.

Cool, thanks. Funny how you (I) can miss something like that.

[bretb]

Now that I'm seriously looking at this, is there an option to cross the Mendota Bridge?

[RedSquirrel]

I didn't read all the postings here but this map is accurate...and I think it will take care of you.

at http://www.hennepin.us (http://www.hennepin.us/), search for "bike map" to find large adobe.pdf. Here's a direct link to the Henn.Co. Southeast Bike Map (http://www.hennepin.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_100003616/32/26/1268703822005%20Bike%20Map%20SE.pdf) (if you click it should download adobe map).

I did both bridges recently on my way to and from Lebanon. From the Lakes to 494 via Portland was yukky, I preferred Pilot Knob to Minnehaha much better.....all paved path.

[RedSquirrel]

For some reason the Hennepin County server is not working... The maps there are great!

Yes, you can get to Mendota Br. all on path from south of the river.

[bretb]

Thanks Heath. Can you tell me more about the Mendota Bridge bike path (separated, fenced, etc.) and your route from Mpls to Lebanon?

[Pandl]

Does anyone know a route to get from Cottage Grove to downtown Mpls? I was thinking about doing that for B-BOP day. I can get to downtown St Paul no problem, along hwy 61 to Warner Rd then along the river. But, don't really know where to go from there.

Thank you.

[jeffgude]

Does anyone know a route to get from Cottage Grove to downtown Mpls? I was thinking about doing that for B-BOP day. I can get to downtown St Paul no problem, along hwy 61 to Warner Rd then along the river. But, don't really know where to go from there.

Thank you.

Not being real familar with the othe ways across the river I would think you could follow Warner road to where it becomes Shephard road, cross the Hwy 5 bridge into Fort Snelling, then find your way to the bike paths that follow the west side of the river into downtown.

[jeffgude]

Thanks Heath. Can you tell me more about the Mendota Bridge bike path (separated, fenced, etc.) and your route from Mpls to Lebanon?

the Mendota bridge has a bike path on the north side, well-separated from the road. Follow it across, exit onto Sibley memorial hwy. Follow that south to where it intersects with Hwy 13, cross hwy 13 (past the Lloyds BBQ plant), after a couple block, turn south onto Pilot Knob Rod, follow it south to Cliff road, go west to Johnny Cake and then south again to the trailhead.

[RedSquirrel]

Bret, below comments, maps and our e-mail exchange should help ya out. Let us know how it goes once the weather is adequete for you.

[tkb608]

If you don't mind a little easy off roading, you can save yourself quite a bit of biking in traffic by taking the 77 bridge halfway across the river valley and biking on the dirt road down there to the west end of the 494 bridge. As long as it isn't too soggy/buggy it's a very pleasant ride.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=175115.

[Danimal]

I would be careful on 13, I got clipped my first day attempting to ride to work last year. Result... a sore as hell elbow and and a Toyota Camry minus a right side mirror. Very dangerous with all of the traffic.

I am all for MORC trying to put in a little off road path from Eagan to Shakopee :)

[steef]

The River Bottoms will get you a lot of the way there.