2024 Ride Descriptions
5/1 (Wed. evening) Kickoff Ride, 11 miles. We will bounce around on some of our local trails and bike-friendly roads for this short evening ride. The route is all paved, winding and entertaining with some easy hills. We’ll enjoy scenery including Shady Oak Lake, Bryant Lake Park, the prairie behind Optum and wooded trails through Opus. Afterwards, everyone is invited to socialize over dinner at Brasa in Hopkins (by the DQ). Brasa closes at 8pm so the bike ride is short in order to return at 7pm for dinner. If the weather is warm perhaps the patio will be open so that we can linger past closing.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46107247
5/6 Mississippi Bridges, 32 miles. The Stone Arch bridge is already closed for construction, so we will follow a modified version of the interesting route taken post-season in 2023. This takes us across 8 bridges over the Mississippi River, with our long break on the University of Minnesota West Bank campus by the strange Shoe Tree. Our ride also includes a stretch down Nicollet Mall, and a photo op stop at the Cherry and Spoon in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Because the Stone Arch Bridge is closed for repairs, we will cross via the new 3rd Avenue Bridge bike trail.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44999183
5/13 Lakes Ann and Susan, 29 miles. We will bike in the southwest metro for this lake tour, viewing Duck Lake, Lake Ann, Bluff Creek Trail, Lake Susan, Marsh Lake, Mitchell Lake and Shady Oak Lake. This is a rather hilly ride, so there will be two long breaks to recover those winter-weakened muscles, with our stops at Lakes Ann and Susan.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367903
5/20 Minnehaha Falls Blossom Ride, 32 miles. If our timing is correct, we will see pink and white crabapple blossoms in full bloom along the Minnehaha Creek trail on our way to the falls for our long break. Our return trip takes us to the Wood Lake Nature Center for a brief rest stop, and then onto the scenic Nine Mile Creek Trail back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367807
5/27 Memorial Day holiday - no ride
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46107247
5/6 Mississippi Bridges, 32 miles. The Stone Arch bridge is already closed for construction, so we will follow a modified version of the interesting route taken post-season in 2023. This takes us across 8 bridges over the Mississippi River, with our long break on the University of Minnesota West Bank campus by the strange Shoe Tree. Our ride also includes a stretch down Nicollet Mall, and a photo op stop at the Cherry and Spoon in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Because the Stone Arch Bridge is closed for repairs, we will cross via the new 3rd Avenue Bridge bike trail.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44999183
5/13 Lakes Ann and Susan, 29 miles. We will bike in the southwest metro for this lake tour, viewing Duck Lake, Lake Ann, Bluff Creek Trail, Lake Susan, Marsh Lake, Mitchell Lake and Shady Oak Lake. This is a rather hilly ride, so there will be two long breaks to recover those winter-weakened muscles, with our stops at Lakes Ann and Susan.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367903
5/20 Minnehaha Falls Blossom Ride, 32 miles. If our timing is correct, we will see pink and white crabapple blossoms in full bloom along the Minnehaha Creek trail on our way to the falls for our long break. Our return trip takes us to the Wood Lake Nature Center for a brief rest stop, and then onto the scenic Nine Mile Creek Trail back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367807
5/27 Memorial Day holiday - no ride
6/3 Wirth Park Beach, 25 miles. This big loop ride picks up pieces of many trails. It’s only 7 easy miles to our destination at Wirth Park Beach includes the North Cedar Trail and Theodore Wirth Trail. Then 7 more, hillier miles take us around the little-traveled back of Wirth Park to pick up the Luce Line Trail to Medicine Lake. After a break there, we’ll continue on to the really hilly and fun roller-coaster Camelback trail heading south, and finally the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368211
6/10 Lake Minnewashta, 30 miles. Here’s another hilly ride, with the Northwoods-like Lake Minnewashta as our destination. Never fear, we’ll take a second rest stop at Excelsior Commons, and then it’s an easy cruise along the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367975
6/17 Lake Como, 37 miles. This is a longer but mainly flat route to our destination, the Como Lake Pavilion. We hope to see a new sight en route this year - a huge loon statue at Allianz Field that is planned for early summer installation. Our route takes us around Lake Como with a long break at the pavilion. Then we’ll cut through the State Fairgrounds, and follow the University Transitway to the Dinkytown Greenway and cross the Mississippi. We’ll also try out the new protected bike lane on the newly reopened Glenwood Avenue as we head out of downtown for our return to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368124
6/24 Minnesota River Overlook, 29 miles. We’re going counter-clockwise by popular demand on this ride to our long break at the hidden overlook of the Minnesota River along Flying Cloud Drive. Then we will enjoy a long downhill coast on a smooth trail to the Shakopee Bridge round-about, and a brief steep climb back up out of the valley to the Minnesota River Bluffs Trail. After that, it’s easy riding back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41605809
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368211
6/10 Lake Minnewashta, 30 miles. Here’s another hilly ride, with the Northwoods-like Lake Minnewashta as our destination. Never fear, we’ll take a second rest stop at Excelsior Commons, and then it’s an easy cruise along the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367975
6/17 Lake Como, 37 miles. This is a longer but mainly flat route to our destination, the Como Lake Pavilion. We hope to see a new sight en route this year - a huge loon statue at Allianz Field that is planned for early summer installation. Our route takes us around Lake Como with a long break at the pavilion. Then we’ll cut through the State Fairgrounds, and follow the University Transitway to the Dinkytown Greenway and cross the Mississippi. We’ll also try out the new protected bike lane on the newly reopened Glenwood Avenue as we head out of downtown for our return to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368124
6/24 Minnesota River Overlook, 29 miles. We’re going counter-clockwise by popular demand on this ride to our long break at the hidden overlook of the Minnesota River along Flying Cloud Drive. Then we will enjoy a long downhill coast on a smooth trail to the Shakopee Bridge round-about, and a brief steep climb back up out of the valley to the Minnesota River Bluffs Trail. After that, it’s easy riding back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41605809
7/1 (July 4th holiday week - no ride)
7/8 Crystal Lake and Victory Memorial, 27 miles. This ride includes a stop for lunch at the Trailhead's Mill Valley Market in Wirth Park. Those who need to get back earlier will be given directions for the return trip. We’ll head out of Hopkins on roads to find ourselves on the Luce Line Trail in Golden Valley. Upon arriving at Wirth Park, we’ll make a loop that takes us to Crystal Lake for our long break, and just a few miles beyond to Victory Memorial for a photo op stop. Then we’ll bike the memorial boulevard to the Trailhead for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The final 8 mile return route follows the trail along Theodore Wirth Parkway to the North Cedar Trail, and back into Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368134
7/15 Noerenberg Gardens, 27 miles. Today we bike a big loop around Lake Minnetonka. We’ll follow the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail to Excelsior, then turn north onto Co. Rd. 19 with its wide, paved shoulders. Our long break is at the scenic Noerenberg Gardens on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It should be in full bloom for this mid-summer ride. We’ll return via the Dakota Trail to Wayzata, and from there work our way on roads and trails back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368142
7/22 Fort Snelling State Park, 36 miles. Fort Snelling State Park is a new destination for us this year. We will have an easy but longer ride down to the river bottoms trails at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. We’ll take our long break at the Visitor Center in the park. Our route also includes portions of the Nine Mile Creek Trail and the Minnehaha Creek Trail, as well as new pavement and bike lanes at Mirror Lake in Edina.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45366631
7/29 Medicine Lake, 25 miles. This is a shorter ride with a lot of hill climbing, so we will still get our workout for the morning. We’ll bike around Medicine Lake with our long break at the beach in French Regional Park. We’ll also make a pit stop at the lovely Westwood Hills Nature Center on our return trip.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368209
7/8 Crystal Lake and Victory Memorial, 27 miles. This ride includes a stop for lunch at the Trailhead's Mill Valley Market in Wirth Park. Those who need to get back earlier will be given directions for the return trip. We’ll head out of Hopkins on roads to find ourselves on the Luce Line Trail in Golden Valley. Upon arriving at Wirth Park, we’ll make a loop that takes us to Crystal Lake for our long break, and just a few miles beyond to Victory Memorial for a photo op stop. Then we’ll bike the memorial boulevard to the Trailhead for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The final 8 mile return route follows the trail along Theodore Wirth Parkway to the North Cedar Trail, and back into Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368134
7/15 Noerenberg Gardens, 27 miles. Today we bike a big loop around Lake Minnetonka. We’ll follow the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail to Excelsior, then turn north onto Co. Rd. 19 with its wide, paved shoulders. Our long break is at the scenic Noerenberg Gardens on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It should be in full bloom for this mid-summer ride. We’ll return via the Dakota Trail to Wayzata, and from there work our way on roads and trails back to Hopkins.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368142
7/22 Fort Snelling State Park, 36 miles. Fort Snelling State Park is a new destination for us this year. We will have an easy but longer ride down to the river bottoms trails at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. We’ll take our long break at the Visitor Center in the park. Our route also includes portions of the Nine Mile Creek Trail and the Minnehaha Creek Trail, as well as new pavement and bike lanes at Mirror Lake in Edina.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45366631
7/29 Medicine Lake, 25 miles. This is a shorter ride with a lot of hill climbing, so we will still get our workout for the morning. We’ll bike around Medicine Lake with our long break at the beach in French Regional Park. We’ll also make a pit stop at the lovely Westwood Hills Nature Center on our return trip.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368209
8/5 Long Lake and Landmarks, 29 miles. This ride takes us to the serene Long Lake, where we might see the rowing crews silently gliding through the water. Then we’ll turn south to explore some historic but little known landmarks - two Arches by Lake Minnetonka. Finally we’ll make an ice cream stop at the historic Cottagewood Country Store.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368186
8/12 Hyland Park, 28 miles. The Hyland Park ride is one of my favorites, and also one of the hilliest. The steepest and longest hills are downward for great fun! We’ll take our long break when we arrive at the park at the Richardson Nature Center, then bike a loop through Hyland Park. There will also be a photo-op stop at the Nine Mile Creek Falls at Lake Normandale. Our return brings us through trails with some more hills in Bryant Lake Park to top it all off.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367990
8/19 Minnesota River Valley, Shady Oak Lake Start, 37 miles. Note the new starting location, Shady Oak Lake. Meet in the beach parking lot, 5200 Shady Oak Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55343. We will begin the ride at 9:00 AM as usual. This is our longest ride, with a big loop taking us down into the Minnesota River Valley, crossing at the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and back at the Chaska Bridge. Despite the 300 foot elevation difference from Shady Oak to the river, we have a magical route back that is hill-free. The river bottoms trail is remote and beautiful. If it has rained recently, be prepared for some mud washouts (even though it is paved). We will make a couple of photo op stops along the way, and take our long break at Memorial Park in Shakopee. We’ll also stop at the Lions Park in Chaska where we can wash off the bikes, if needed.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368199
8/26 Grays Bay and Year-end Picnic, 22 miles. We’ll take one final spin through the rolling hills of the “Camelback” trail, then a loop around scenic Gray’s Bay and into Deephaven. Our return route brings us through leafy Minnetonka neighborhoods back to Hopkins. Bring something tasty to share for our year-end Potluck Lunch in the Maetzold Picnic Shelter following our ride. Family members are invited to join the party!
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44999109
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368186
8/12 Hyland Park, 28 miles. The Hyland Park ride is one of my favorites, and also one of the hilliest. The steepest and longest hills are downward for great fun! We’ll take our long break when we arrive at the park at the Richardson Nature Center, then bike a loop through Hyland Park. There will also be a photo-op stop at the Nine Mile Creek Falls at Lake Normandale. Our return brings us through trails with some more hills in Bryant Lake Park to top it all off.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45367990
8/19 Minnesota River Valley, Shady Oak Lake Start, 37 miles. Note the new starting location, Shady Oak Lake. Meet in the beach parking lot, 5200 Shady Oak Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55343. We will begin the ride at 9:00 AM as usual. This is our longest ride, with a big loop taking us down into the Minnesota River Valley, crossing at the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and back at the Chaska Bridge. Despite the 300 foot elevation difference from Shady Oak to the river, we have a magical route back that is hill-free. The river bottoms trail is remote and beautiful. If it has rained recently, be prepared for some mud washouts (even though it is paved). We will make a couple of photo op stops along the way, and take our long break at Memorial Park in Shakopee. We’ll also stop at the Lions Park in Chaska where we can wash off the bikes, if needed.
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45368199
8/26 Grays Bay and Year-end Picnic, 22 miles. We’ll take one final spin through the rolling hills of the “Camelback” trail, then a loop around scenic Gray’s Bay and into Deephaven. Our return route brings us through leafy Minnetonka neighborhoods back to Hopkins. Bring something tasty to share for our year-end Potluck Lunch in the Maetzold Picnic Shelter following our ride. Family members are invited to join the party!
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44999109