hey all,

looking to bike from saint paul to duluth over 2 days. my plan is to get to hinckley day one (got a hotel), and then spend day two getting from hinckley to duluth.

does anyone have a ridewithgps or similar route they've used? i'd like to stay on bike trails as much as possible. plan is to start on gateway trail. thanks in advance!!!

Recently came across a long tail e-bike, and honestly, the price and the design immediately caught my attention. My first thought was to order two, one for my daughter and one for my dad.

They would mostly use them for casual rides around the neighborhood, grocery runs, and occasional trips around Minneapolis. However, they're different ages and heights, so I'm not sure the same bike would work well for both of them.

It's still in presale, and there isn't much feedback from actual owners yet. My biggest concerns are battery, certifications, replacement parts, customer support, and whether local bike shops would even work on it. Ordering two at once feels like gamble. What do you usually prioritize when choosing an e-bike for family members?

Please go easy on me if I'm overlooking something. This is my first time seriously researching e-bikes.

Im trying to get from the Black Dog trail to Minnesota Valley state trail, would it be unwise to connect those with River Bottoms on a drop bar gravel bike with slicks?

Wanting to ride my MTB today, Battle creek says "Open" on the MORC website but hasn't been updated for 3 days, during which it's been raining moderately.

Also don't want to drive all the way out there and find out it's all mud. Anyone know if it's OK to ride right now?

I have a nice but older Cannondale Caad8. It served me well. The drivetrain is still ok-ish. I bought it for fitness. My new goal is just to go on family rides following my toddlers on their bikes. I really want a single speed for many reasons.

Ballpark how much does it cost to have a shop convert it to a single speed?

How much is I did the labor myself? I have a nice stand but I would need all the tools and parts?

Or is this the bike Gods telling me to just buy a State Bicycle Black Label V3?

TIA all, ride safe.

vent: I'm 5'3" I hate that I can't ride 98% of all bikes out there.

From Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board mailing:

"The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is accepting bike donations for Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN all next week! Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need.

When you donate your gently used adult or youth bikes, they organize volunteers to clean and refurbish them and then give them away to kids in need. 

Bring your donations to any of the following collection sites Monday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 3. Collection hours are 3-8 pm Monday through Friday and 12-5 pm on Saturday.

• Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave N
• Kenny Neighborhood Center, 1328 W 58th St
• Kenwood Community Center, 2101 W Franklin Ave
• Longfellow Recreation Center, 3435 36th Ave S
• Morris Recreation Center, 5531 39th Ave S
• Pershing Recreation Center, 3523 W 48th St
• Van Cleve Recreation Center, 901 15th Ave SE
• Waite Recreation Center, 1810 34th Ave NE"

Do you have burning questions about the Bruce Vento Regional Trail's Swede Hollow closure? Well! Monday is your opportunity.

Subscribe to newsletter: https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/residents/parks-recreation/active-living/get-involved

Just venting! This afternoon, I stopped in a bike lane to let a car clear before turning. The car HONKED at me while I was stopped, then waved at me, so I was confused about whether I should go or not, but other than putting my foot back on a pedal, I didn’t start going — then they sped ahead while shaking their finger at me.

I was stopped and waiting for him to pass! I think some drivers are looking for reasons to be pissed at bikers? Every other car I’ve let by at that turn has been completely normal, and I’m always doubly cautious right there, so I’m frustrated because apparently that’s not enough for some drivers.

I can disassemble the bike to the frame, but I have no idea who has the experience to either heat treat and bend the frame back, or cut off the damage and do a new weld?

I was riding and a plastic bag blew up into my derailleur and this happened instantly, it was a crazy way to ruin a great bike, I'm pretty distraught.

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/hennepin-lake-improvements/

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/media/-www-content-assets/documents/Hennepin-Lake-Improvements---One-Pager_V2.pdf

I'm glad I went. I'm bummed that the city is spending $20k on interim improvements this fall that include adding sharrows striping on the two blocks of Hennepin to show that bikers can take the lane. They're also adding paint to show where delivery and rideshare drivers can park in the hope that the drivers don't park in the bike lane (example) but call me a pessimist, I don't think people read or follow directions nowadays. There will be some delineators (flex posts) though (we can start a pool on how long it'll take for them to get squished).

But in 2028, they'll pour the concrete for grade-separated bike path for Hennepin Ave and then curb protected on Lake St for the one block. I went toward the end of the open house and I did hear grumblings from some folks about why the city is doing these improvements...

Wtf is up with the canvassers who think that blocking the bike lane on Lake and Bryant to trap cyclists into their donation pitch is an appropriate thing to do?? That’s such a busy intersection and clogging bike traffic at that spot is incredibly dangerous. This afternoon they trapped the guy at the front of the commuting peloton in a sales pitch so when the light changed to green, all the other commuters had to slowly and chaotically waddle around the canvassers and their mark which confused the drivers turning left and gave them just enough time to almost run us over in the intersection. The canvassers delay cyclists ability to start crossing which gives drivers who want to turn left 2 choices: either go while the cyclist are stuck behind the canvassers or wait and likely miss the light. This happens multiple times a week and I’m shocked nobody has been killed yet. THEY LITERALLY STAND IN THE BIKE LANE. What they’re doing is as inappropriate and unsafe as going up to a car at a red light and knocking on their window to trap them in a sales pitch. I’ve explained to them so many times how dangerous their tactic is but it’s always new people. Seriously, how do I contact the ACLU to tell them to cut that shit out? Or can I call 311 or something? I genuinely just can’t believe how oblivious they are about something that’s so clearly fucking dangerous. You’d think people have a shred of common sense.

Hi bikers! After 10,000+ miles, my current set of bike cleats is falling apart and I'm in search for a new pair. Which local bike shop has the best selection of SPD clip-in shoes? Specifically, I like the style that look somewhat like sneakers-- good on a bike or for taking a short walk (i.e. not fancy schamncy road bike cleats). Bonus pointa if they've got good end-of-season sales. Based in Minneapolis, but willing to cycle out to near suburbs if necessary. Thanks in advance!

I just noticed that the project page for the Mendota Bridge railing height increase has been updated, I think within the past couple of days. The project is officially delayed until 2027 it seems.

Given that it's already September, and given the I-35E trail will be closed for a while longer, this probably comes as no surprise.

LINK to project page.

They do have a hard stop on one of the final bridges before the fancy connector bridge. But had no signage saying trail closed up til that point.

For people who live and/or bike in Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Saint Louis Park, Hopkins, and Maple Grove, I want to put WMATA on your radar. They're a wonderful group of people advocating for better multimodal transportation in the west metro.

https://westmet.org/wmata-launch-party/ - come join the launch party on October 3 to meet these lovely folks and see yourself in the movement too!

Just moved to lakeville. Any ride or route recommendations 15-30 miles give or take

Tia