Sat 12/9/06 group ride

[goatgirl]

Is there a group ride on Saturday other than Monticello? As we were just there last weekend, I was thinking it would be fun to do a tour de metro trials:banana:.

West side of River bottoms, Terrace Oaks, Leb, Battle creek..... mexican food for diner.

[DMonkey]

I'm interested -

Haveen't been to Battle Creek in quite some time, that might be a good one.

Your thinking of hitting all of them? I don't think I have quite that much time. Maybe meet up for the 2nd half?

[bigwheel]

I'm thinking of riding my bike from Eagan to the river bottoms raft pull-out, then back again. So far, I'm riding by myself. If we want to get a group together, it would make sense to meet either at the Sibley House or at the parking lot where 13 meets Mendota Heights Road.

Depending on trail conditions, my plan is to ride the trail along the south side of the river, then cross at Cedar, then ride the swamp, up to the river bottoms trail, to the raft.

Please pay attention to whatever trail you are riding. Depending on how mushy it gets, it might be bad to ride. If it is mushy and you are leaving ruts, please abandon your ride. Otherwise, those ruts will freeze in and we will be stuck with them all winter.

FYI, Terrace is closed for the season.

[mn_ultra_guy]

I am trying to work out the family logistics, so I can make the RB raft removal and ride down there, but that is all I would be able to swing. I should more later this morning.
Bigwheel,
What is the route like from the Sibley house to RB and back?
I'm thinking of riding my bike from Eagan to the river bottoms raft pull-out, then back again. So far, I'm riding by myself. If we want to get a group together, it would make sense to meet either at the Sibley House or at the parking lot where 13 meets Mendota Heights Road.

Depending on trail conditions, my plan is to ride the trail along the south side of the river, then cross at Cedar, then ride the swamp, up to the river bottoms trail, to the raft.

Please pay attention to whatever trail you are riding. Depending on how mushy it gets, it might be bad to ride. If it is mushy and you are leaving ruts, please abandon your ride. Otherwise, those ruts will freeze in and we will be stuck with them all winter.

FYI, Terrace is closed for the season.

[bigwheel]

Bigwheel,
What is the route like from the Sibley house to RB and back?

Park on the road below the Sibley house. Go down the hill, and pick up the ski trail. The ski trail is double-track that runs on the south side of the river all the way to the 77 Cedar Ave bridge.

There is a nice bike crossing underneath the Cedar Ave bridge. (It used to hook up with old cedar ave into Bloomington, but the cheapscates won't cough up the dough to repair it.)

Cross the river under Cedar Ave, and take a left on the exit ramp, going a few feet back toward the river.

There is a dirt trail on the north side of the river, that heads west. It eventually turns into single track, then heads into the swamp. Depending on rain and who has recently been back there, you sometimes have to improvise to cross a drainage ditch. This is usually not very difficult.

Find a way through the swamp (not that difficult), and stay along the river. The trail eventually connects up with the River Bottoms trail, east side. Ride it west, past Lyndale, toward the raft.


Alternate entry: You can also pick up the paved 494 trail from the Mendota Heights Road parking lot. Ride the pave trail toward Bloomington. At the point where the bridge starts, you can ride down the hill to below the bridge. It's the spot that the fisherman use to get to the water. Ride (or walk) down the hill, go underneath the bridge. You'll see a trail under the bridge that heads toward Bloomington. That will take you to the river bottoms ski trail.

If there is no group ride, I plan to just ride from home and take the 494 route. I only live a couple miles from where the paved 494 trail hits Pilot Knob Road.

[mn_ultra_guy]

Would you and I count as a group ride? I would be will to me you at the Sibley house, just say what time!

[goatgirl]

OK! here is the plan of attack.

River Bottoms, Ferry Bridge to raft and back. 9:30
Leb 11:00
Harmon 12:30
Battle Creek 2:00

There is a great Mexican Place right next door to Battle Creek, sorry but I do not remember the name. Fantastic Margs!

Sad about Terrace Oaks being closed, it is a fun little trail to add to a day like this!:cryin:

[krazykatie]

Greg & I are riding BC at 2pm tomorrow.

[ryno lite]

Greg & I are riding BC at 2pm tomorrow.

You guys mind me joining you? I haven't done BC in a few years. Which lot do you park at?

[Magic]

You guys mind me joining you? I haven't done BC in a few years. Which lot do you park at?

They will park at the lot by the Rec center. It is on Winthrop off of upper afton road. The trail start's from there.

[krazykatie]

After BC a few of us are going boarding out at Afton if anyone else would like to join us!

[timmy]

You guys mind me joining you? I haven't done BC in a few years. Which lot do you park at?

Ryan, we will see you at the Rec center parking lot at 2.

[DMonkey]

If everything goes well, I'll meet up for both Harmon & Battle Creek..

Thanks!

[sugarspice]

How was this? Sounds like a blast!

OK! here is the plan of attack.

River Bottoms, Ferry Bridge to raft and back. 9:30
Leb 11:00
Harmon 12:30
Battle Creek 2:00

There is a great Mexican Place right next door to Battle Creek, sorry but I do not remember the name. Fantastic Margs!

Sad about Terrace Oaks being closed, it is a fun little trail to add to a day like this!:cryin:

[krazykatie]

Fun ride out at BC! You guys will have to come back soon and show us your route! Great boarding also! I wonder if Cookiemonster & Hellbender made it out of bed this morning?? ;) Thanks to Darin for hooking us all up with ski passes!! Biking in the afternoon and boarding by night...doesn't get any better than that! :banana:

[goatgirl]

The ride was fantastic, as Greg, Rodney and I had a chilly start around 10:00 at the<st1><st1></st1><st1> Ferry Bridge</st1></st1> and made it to the raft and back by 11:15, so much for being on time the rest of the day. We arrived at Leb around 11:30 and met up with Marie, Nita, and Maura who were also enjoying the wonderful weather and trail conditions. After riding our usual lap and one half, we headed off to <st1:city w:st="on">Battle Creek</st1:city> where we joined Greg, Katie, Tiffany and "Orange Surly Bike Guy” John?. Greg showed us an alternate route for the familiar trails of <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Battle Creek</st1:city></st1>. It was fun to ride in a new pattern.

Throughout the day we challenged each other to try obstacles that normally would have turned us away; I successfully executed the "rail" log at Leb that has intimidated me in the past. It was much easier than I expected, Greg, Rodney and I all cleared it without injury. We tried to come up with a point schedule to have an overall winner for the day, but after all the discussions we determined that it was a three way tie.

Our Mexican diner at Los Tejanos on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Ruth Street</st1:address></st1:street> around the corner from <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Battle Creek</st1:city></st1> was excellent as expected. The day was a total success I wish more people could have joined in the fun!




I am still trying to send my photos from my phone to my email... :scream:

[krazykatie]

we headed off to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on">Battle Creek</st1:city> where we joined Greg, Katie, Tiffany and "Orange Surly Bike Guy” John?.


Yes, that would be John!

Here's the link to a few pics from sat....most are crap though.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kdandkayla/album/576460762365754892

[dvo1]

Yes, that would be John!

Here's the link to a few pics from sat....most are crap though.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kdandkayla/album/576460762365754892


Especially the one that is completely color blind. :D

[goatgirl]

I have a couple of pics from the ride. I also have a video clip that I can not upload for some reason, anybody have a hint?

The first pic is Greg and Rodney checking out the thickness of the ice and the condition of the raft.


The second is from the bluff over looking the river at Battle Creek.

What a great Day!