With a bit of help from light rail and a friend and his truck, we cycled trails east of St. Paul, including a nicely refurbished section leading to Battle Creek Park. We both almost stalled out at a couple of points as we tracked this stream uphill.
Category: Cycle
The trail won
A cycle ride with a friend included trail sections that have just reopened after light rail construction. At this choke point, there was room for the light rail or the trail, but not both. The trail won, while the light rail runs in a half-mile tunnel through unstable ground under the trail. This is possibly the most expensive compromise in Minnesota infrastructure history.
Spring’s first spin: shorts and shirtsleeves
Wipe down, pump the tires, lube the chain: off on two wheels. With temperatures about to hit 77°F, a ride was mandatory. The trails were dry and ice-free, and everyone seemed to be in a great mood. Only the lingering piles of snow served as a reminder that the snow season isn’t quite over.
Our rusty steeds
We rented a couple of bikes from a local business that seemed to specialize in salvaging old bicycles. While we waited, they put the finishing touches on our rides and sent us on our way. They were inexpensive, about US$6 each for the day, but we definitely got what we paid for. Eventually, I found the one “perfect” gear combination where the chain didn’t fall off the derailleurs and stuck with it for the rest of the day.
“Cycle Around Japan”* Toyama Bay Edition
Rented bicycles and cycled along Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, enjoying views of the snow-covered Japan Alps. Stopped at a picnic table in the grounds of this shrine for a picnic lunch. *NHK (Japan’s public broadcaster) series we enjoy.
Reservoir Woods Park via Roselawn Cemetery
It was the day for the annual cycle to Reservoir Woods Park, where a 30-million-gallon water tank that supplies St. Paul stands atop a hill. My friend rarely misses a chance to cycle through a cemetery, and today was no exception. Here we’re looking out over the Hmong section of Roselawn Cemetery.
At least the catenary shone
Our neighborhood izakaya, Zen Box, is closing, sending me on a quest for decent replacement ramen. Today’s nameless stop scored a 2/10. It was supposed to be tonkotsu; the broth had the color, but none of the required texture or flavor. I took a photo, but here’s something more palatable: new copper catenary for a light rail extension, which I saw while cycling to that nameless place.
Hopkins to Excelsior round-trip
Cycled on a rail trail from Hopkins to Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka with a friend. At 318 Cafe in Excelsior, we refueled with coffee and the best ever apple coffee cake, warm from the oven. Energized, we cycled back to Hopkins.
A lot to admire
Cycled with a friend to St. Paul. Stopped at Cosetta’s where we admired their enormous display of cakes and pastries, and selected a couple for ourselves. Followed the Mississippi on the return and admired the fall colors.
Luce Line State Trail ride
Cycled part of the Luce Line with a friend, starting at Theodore Wirth Park and going to Medicine Lake. A circumnavigation of Medicine Lake added more mileage than we bargained for. Here, we’re cycling a boardwalk across wetland. The rail track is on a trestle. Later, my friend sent me a map showing we covered significantly more ground on a similar ride back in 2021. I guess we’re not exactly spring chickens anymore!