|
|
|
|
By Robin Sauerwein Bike riding can be the perfect family activity. It combines time together along with fresh air, exercise and a bit of exploration as you travel down new and different paths. And the Twin Cities boasts at having one of the nation's most extensive series of bike trails. Ride for just a couple of hours or make a day of it by hitting some of the trails that populate the Twin Cites area. If you are already a bike enthusiast, chances are you already have your own favorites. But if you haven’t been on a bike in awhile and are looking for some family-friendly trails, here are a few to try. Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway Explore the urban landscape of Minneapolis through the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. According to the Federal Highway Administration, “Scenic Byways are public roads having special scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archeological and natural qualities that have been recognized as such through legislation and other official declaration. Scenic Byways refer not only to the road, street or highway itself but also to the corridor through which it passes.” Seven distinct byways: Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi River, Minnehaha, Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth, Victory Memorial, and Northeast reveal the landscape and cultural personality of Minneapolis. Over 50 miles of biking paths will lead you by lakes and ponds, golf courses, gardens creeks and river views, and over fifty identified interpretive sites. The Downtown Riverfront, for example, gives you a slice of the City’s history along the riverfront while Victory Memorial will take you past historic rows of trees that commemorate the Hennepin County Servicemen of World War I. Explore one or all of the byways and get to know parts of Minneapolis at a slower pace. For more information about the Grand Rounds call the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board at 612-234-6400 or for a detailed map or visit www.minneapolisparks.org/grandrounds/home.htm. It’s a great way to take a trip without leaving the city. Three Rivers Park District Three Rivers Park District is a park system located in the suburban Minneapolis metro area. They manage close to 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks, regional trails and other special use facilities. Here you can enjoy more than 200 miles of paved and unpaved trails Depending on the area, each park offers its own spectacular views of wetlands, woodlands, or open prairie. The paved trails are shared by bikers, hikers, runners and skaters and range in distance. Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hyland Lake Park Reserve are just two favorites, but there are several others to choose from. You can get descriptions of the trails and detailed maps by going to www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/parks/map.cfm Crosby Farm–Hidden Falls Trail Take a leisurely Sunday ride along the banks of the Mississippi River. The paved trail is 6.7 miles round trip with little inclines. Plenty of opportunities for bird watching along the way. Crosby Farm Regional Park is located on Shepard Road between Highway 5 and Interstate 35E at 2595 Crosby Farm Road in St. Paul. Restrooms are located at the parking area along with picnic tables and grills in case you’d like to have a picnic there as well. Luce Line Trail The Luce Line Trail was originally built as the Electric Short Line Railway from downtown Minneapolis to west central Minnesota by Colonel William Luce. Abandoned by the railroad in 1972, it was taken over by the DNR and made into a recreational trail in 1976. It runs on the former railroad line and is used for biking as well as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and skiing. The trail is a strip of countryside that stretches 63 miles from the west metro to the town of Cosmos. For 30 miles, from Plymouth to Winsted, the surface is cracked limestone. From Winsted west to Cosmos, the trail becomes a natural surface. This may be a detraction for some riders who are used to paved surfaces. This is an easy trail to access from Minneapolis, so it’s a real favorite for many people and a great escape from the city trails. The Luce Line will take you by a variety of scenery from some old iron railroad bridges to farmland. You can download a trail map from www.luceline.com Gateway State Trail - St. Paul The Gateway Trail is a multi-use trail that starts north of the State Capitol and ends at Pine Point, five miles north of Stillwater. An 18 mile journey that is suitable for bicycling, riders follow an old Soo Line railroad track, through the Phalen-Keller Regional Park, Maplewood and North St. Paul. The Trail then travels alongside Highway 36 through Oakdale, Pine Springs, and Mahtomedi. After passing under Highway 36, you will enter rural Washington County. Bikers pass many ponds as well as 58 protected wetlands. You can connect with the trail at various places from Phalen-Keller Regional Park, Phalen Creek Trail, Beam Avenue in Maplewood and Stillwater on County Road 12. If you would like more information, check out their website at www.gatewaytrailmn.org or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us. Short City Rides When you don’t have the time for a long ride, here are few smaller trails to consider. Lake Harriet, located in Southwest Minneapolis is a popular destination for bikers, skaters and walkers. The bike trail runs around the lake and is surrounded by parkland and gardens. Park your car in the parking lot near the Lake Harriet Bandshell on the north shore of the lake and bike the short 2.99 miles. Lake Como in St. Paul is one of the largest lakes in the city and is located off of Lexington Avenue. The lake is surrounded by Como Park, which also has a zoo, conservatory, and an amusement park. A large parking lot on the shore of the lake makes it easy to access the trail. Both a paved walking trail and a bike trail circle the lake. The bicycle path is only 1.75 miles long, and is almost all flat, except for some small hills in a couple of places. It can be a busy place in the summer, a popular destination not only for bikers but for walkers, joggers and skaters as well. After your ride, stop in at the Black Bear Crossings Café for refreshments located right along the lakeside. Lake Phalen, the second largest lake in St. Paul is found in the north east of the city, near the border of Maplewood. Both a walking and bike path circles the lake. The lake is only 3.1 miles around and bicyclists will encounter a mostly flat path, with a few short but steep hills. Start the trail at Phalen Beach and follow it clockwise around the lake. Parking is located near the beach as well as a couple of other places around the lake. Heritage Trail - The Minneapolis Riverfront District is another perfect place for a bike ride. Bike paths converge on the Riverfront District and downtown Minneapolis from many areas making this an ideal place for an outing. The Heritage Trail will not only give you one of the best views of the downtown skyscrapers but will give you a history lesson as well. The Heritage Trail is a self guided tour of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District. This 1.8 mile trail takes you along the Mississippi River via Nicollet Island and the Hennepin Avenue and Stone Arch bridges. Kiosks mark the trail providing historic information about the area. The Minneapolis riverfront has gone through many changes over the years so why not learn its history while enjoying a leisurely bike ride with your family. For more information go to www.minneapolis riverfront.com. Biking Resources www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/where to ride.asp Links to help you know where you can ride your bike around the city of Minneapolis along with some St. Paul maps as well. www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/bicycle/ Keep your kids safe. Biking is a healthy, active way for your kids to have fun but they also need to be careful. Bicycles are responsible for more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. Many bike injuries are preventable. This website has information for parents and kids about helmets, rules of the road and other safety tools. Ready for More? Capitol Classic– Bike for Autism– July 26 www.bikeforautism.org 28th Annual Watermelon Ride – July 4 Tour of Saints – July 12 www.tourofsaints.com
|
