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View Full Version : Minnesota River Trails - Sunday, Nov 19 10:30 AM

Don Youngdahl
11-14-2006, 11:40 PM
You've seen the recent posts proclaiming the River Trail to be in prime condition. They're true, and there's also several miles of dirt roads extending to Fort Snelling State Park, making for a good long ride of 35+ miles in the dirt, with only 5-8 miles of blacktop to connect the dirt segments.

Meet at 10:30 AM at Indian Mounds School in Bloomington.

The route: West to the "trails end", about 1 mile west of Bloomington Ferry trailhead; East past Lyndale, & right on the lowland trail along the river, past Cedar Ave, exiting on American Blvd (80th St.); West to 34th Street, north to Post Road, to Fort Snelling State Park, climb to the Mendota Bridge, cross the Bridge to Mendota; Dirt road along south side of river to Cedar Ave. bridge; Cross bridge on foot/bike path; West on lowland trail to junction about 0.6 miles east of Lyndale; right along the bluffside trail back to Indian Mounds School.

There are two good bail-out points to shorten your ride if the weather is cold or if you've mis-calculated on your apparel. There is one stop at a convenience store at about 30 miles.

Post up, or just show up. If you're late, you can catch us because the route doubles back at about 11 miles.

Don Youngdahl dmy@visi.com
Homegrown
11-15-2006, 09:58 AM
Don - if the weather holds out I would like to join you. Sounds like a nice loop.

-Spencer
SprocketHead
11-16-2006, 11:01 PM
Every time I say I can make it, something pops up,,, So I'll say "Tenative".
Jess
11-17-2006, 06:21 PM
EDIT - Maybe next time! I just don't have time with working six days a week (55-70 hrs). Sunday is my catch up day.

I've never ridden the MN River trails and haven't ridden much this year, although I am a mail carrier in good cardio shape.

I'll try to find my way and join the group!

Jess
Hellbender
11-17-2006, 09:23 PM
I'll be in company of a couple of novices, one being 9 years old, so we won't be riding the entire planned route. Would we even be able to cut short the 11 mi trail if we wanted to?
krazykatie
11-18-2006, 12:24 AM
I plan on making this ride!
Don Youngdahl
11-18-2006, 12:09 PM
I'll be in company of a couple of novices, one being 9 years old, so we won't be riding the entire planned route. Would we even be able to cut short the 11 mi trail if we wanted to?

I don't mean to discourage you, but this is a long ride which will require a faster pace than novices or a 9-year old can likely maintain. The group will have to move at a brisk pace to comfortably finish before dark.

The 11 mile point is the turn-around where the trail ends. The 10 mile point is the Bloomington Ferry trailhead, which would offer a bail-out via about 7-8 miles of road back to the starting point.

Don Youngdahl
krazykatie
11-19-2006, 09:59 AM
don't wait up for me..i think i'm going to plant my face into my school books rather than the ground on this sunday.
Nickel
11-19-2006, 10:05 AM
Where is the Indian Mounds school?
krazykatie
11-19-2006, 10:07 AM
Where is the Indian Mounds school?

http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/riverbottom.shtml

There are directions on the trail guide to the school! Have a great ride!:)
Nickel
11-19-2006, 10:17 AM
http://www.morcmtb.org/trailreviews/metro/riverbottom.shtml

There are directions on the trail guide to the school! Have a great ride!:)

Ahhh I'm silly I should have checked. Danke!
SprocketHead
11-20-2006, 08:40 AM
Terrific ride! A complete tour of everything the riverbottoms has to offer.
jjrsds
11-20-2006, 10:06 PM
Nice tour Don and thanks to you and Mike for dragging me back to the trailhead.