How to Ride TO Lebanon

[YetiBoy]

...from SW Minneapolis. Any suggestions on a good route to ride from Lake Harriett to Lebanon? Thanks in advance for ideas.

[destrago]

Step 1: get across 35W/62:
I would take Diamond Lake Road and or Minnehaha Parkway to Portland, then take portland south to American Blvd (just south of 494).

Step 2: Get across the Minnesota River
If you follow american blvd straight east it'll take you onto the 494 pedestrian bridge. About 3 1/2 miles later you'll be at Pilot Knob Road in eagan. Take Pilot knob road straight south.

Step 3: Get to Leb:
Easiest way is to ride Pilot knob south to Cliff, take a right and head west to Johnny cake ridge road, take a left and head south to the entrance to leb! There is a shortcut to johnny cake by taking a left onto Deerwood from pilot knob, check google maps/google earth for more.

LRT Shortcut: if you're close enough to 55-Hiawatha, you can hop on the train at the 46th or 50th street station with your bike and ride to Bloomington Central Station.

Warnings: Google earth estimates this as a 17.5 mile trip EACH WAY, so be
ready to spend about an hour riding each way. Pilot knob in eagan is filled with long, annoying hills, so be ready to work hard!

I live 2 miles from leb and I take the route described up to the LRT to get in to the U of MN when I commute. That's the fastest way from here.

Overall I wouldn't do this trip myself, as 2 laps at leb and the 4.5 miles of road I have to ride there and back are enough for me. But, if you're really stoked about it and have a whole day to ride, this is the best route I can think of.

-Tony

[jeffgude]

I concur with Tony's route. Alternative is once on Pilot Knob, to turn west at Diffley Road rather than go south all the way to Cliff. One on Diffley, follow it west until Johnny Cake Ridge and follw that south to the trailhead.

You could always jump on one of the buses that cross the river on either 35W or Hwy 77. I believe all of them have bike racks, and these buses drop you in a good spot. Whether you want to ride back on a bus, post ride....

[RedSquirrel]

Jason-

I agree except personally I'd may avoid Portland. Looks like non-road pathway exist almost all the way there!! I'm looking at my 2005 paper copy of Hennipin County Road & Bike Map. Find this at 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'll be doing this route really soon, partial prep for Aug. event? Lets do it.

Heath