The opening of Sea Salt at Minnehaha Park for the season motivated me to cycle a loop that included Hiawatha LRT Trail, Midtown Greenway, Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, Minnehaha Park, and West River Parkway. The cooked-to-order fish tacos were undiminished and a bargain at $8.
Category: Cycle
Last Ride Before Repairs
During my bike ride, paused on the Stone Arch Bridge to take in this much-photographed view. Starting Monday, the bridge will undergo maintenance and repairs for the next two years, with half the bridge closed at a time.
Back on Track
The halfway point on the first cycle ride of the year with a friend was the remains of a bridge serving as sculpture. For all of last year, a series of connected medical problems, now mainly resolved, kept my friend from cycling. Being able to plan our next ride for next Tuesday is something neither of us takes for granted.
Cycling the Tedori River
Cycled the Hakusan-Tedori River Route, a rail trail near Kanazawa where I’m staying. In this photo I’d been cycling towards the Northern Japan Alps for a couple hours; rice paddies flank the trail. I hadn’t realized there was a gradual incline most of the way, so the return trip was faster.
Ready to Roll
With my bike hanging from the cycle rack, pumped up the tires. The promise of temperatures in the fifties this coming week had stirred the fair-weather cyclist within me. A quick wipe-down with a damp rag, and a dose of chain lubricant, and my bike will be good to go.
Train Tracks and River Trails
Cycling with a friend visiting from England, we followed the Mississippi north to Interstate 694, crossed the river, and returned to Minneapolis, lingering at BNSF Northtown Yard to be entertained by the constant train traffic and hissing air brakes.
Cafe + Bike Shop in a Railroad Trench
I was surprised to see that the Midtown Bike Center had reopened after closing in 2020 due to COVID. It’s located in a former railroad trench that’s now a bikeway. Inside, I ordered an Americano (in a real cup) and explored the remodeled space, which will soon include bike sales and repair services.
Not OK at the Bike Corral
Came back from a walk with a friend to find my bike locked to a bunch of other bikes. Walked around, alarming small groups with my question: “Did you come here in a bike group?” Eventually, I struck lucky with a group having lunch at Sea Salt. The leader was suitably apologetic.
Shielding Cyclists from Traffic
Watched this protected bikeway being extended towards our home, still a few blocks away. I appreciate being physically separated from traffic. About 200 miles of on- and off-street bikeways make Minneapolis one of the most bikeable cities in the country.
The Weakest Link
My bike ride came to an abrupt halt when the rear derailleur locked up. A link in the chain had failed. Pushed my bike two miles to Freewheel Bike, near our home, where bike technician Martin replaced the chain on the spot in five minutes flat.