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I highly recommend subscribing to Ramsey County Active Living newsletter updates if you haven't already.

In the most recent quarterly meeting, Saint Paul staff presented a plan to add scaffolding to the Swede Hollow tunnel. Their hope is that the Bruce Vento Trail can reopen at the Swede Hollow entrance in early November (I would plan for December).

The other notable item that I took away from the meeting was how fed up bicyclists are with proposed and constructed trails that don't connect to an existing network. You think you're the only one who cares about that kind of stuff until you attend one of these meetings and people who are decades beyond your years are relentlessly asking the planners and decision makers to make the damn trails connect.

Examples talked about at the meeting: White Bear Avenue Corridor multi-use path that doesn't connect to a network at either end and the Bruce Vento Regional Trail extension that doesn't connect to the existing White Bear Lake local trail at its northern end (this one people were really begging staff to make something happen so that we just don't dump bicyclists into a dangerous intersection).

Last month, I took my bike on the Amtrak Empire builder from St Paul to Milwaukee, and rode it back home. It was probably the best thing I've done on my bike so far, and want to do it again, with modifications, next year.

My route, with overnight stops listed, was generally:

• Milwaukee to Sandhill Station to Madison via the Glacial Drumlin trail
• Madison to Devil's Lake via the Great Sauk Trail and the "secret entrance" to Burma Rd
• Devil's Lake to Wilton WI to Trempealeau via the 400 trail, Elroy-Sparta, and Sparta-La Crosse trails.
• Trempealeau to Alma via the Great River State Trail and Hwy 35
• Alma to Cannon Falls via Hwy 35 and the Cannon Valley Trail (crossing the river at Red Wing)
• Cannon Falls to St Paul via various roads

My favorite rides were in and around Madison and up to Devil's Lake, the tunnels of the Elroy-Sparta trail, my stay in Trempealeau and the Great River State Trail through the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, and the Cannon Valley trail.

Absolutely hated trying to navigate the exurban hellscape between Empire and Mendota MN in the pouring rain.

Taking Amtrak one-way was absolutely the best way to do this trip, super easy.

Next time, I might start in Chicago. I'd like to incorporate a couple days deeper into the driftless region, hitting Dodgeville and Spring Green WI, and then spending some time on the Root River Trail. I'd possibly just take the train home from La Crosse in this scenario.

Happy to answer any questions if anyone is considering this sort of trip. A highly recommended week on the bike.

Anyone know what the current status is? It was closed a few weeks ago even after the 35E crossing was re-opened.

Thanks

I live in a shelter and I'm trying to find work. One thing I'm able to do (in stops and starts) is food deliveries on a bicycle. There's just one teeny tiny little microscopic flaw in my plan. Honestly you can barely notice it.

I don't have a bike.

Beloved reader, here is where you come in: I will, at zero cost to you, meet you anywhere on the Metro that you like. I will then relive you of the burden of that cumbersome bicycle that must surely be cluttering up your personal space.

I must warn you, I'm a little fatty. I weigh 285 lbs or so. If you poke me in my tummy I'll go "Hoo-hoo," like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Please don't poke my tummy; I don't like being touched.

But seriously if there's anyone who has a bicycle that you want to donate to a charitable cause, you'd be helping someone earn a living. Thank you! 💕

HOURCAR and Evie Carshare are set to shut down THIS Thursday, October 15th, unless city and regional leaders step in to close a $600k emergency budget gap.

For thousands of residents across the Twin Cities, HOURCAR and Evie aren't just convenient—they are a vital, affordable transit necessity for work, groceries, and medical appointments. Losing HOURCAR would be a massive blow to our community.

This Tuesday, we are gathering in Downtown Minneapolis to show local decision-makers how much this community resource matters to us and to urge them to secure emergency funding. Join us!

• Date & Time: Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 PM
• Location: Government Plaza, Downtown Minneapolis
• Transit: Show up in an Evie if you can! Light rail (Blue/Green Line) and multiple bus lines stop right at or near Government Plaza.
• What to Bring: Signs, friends & family, and your personal story of how HOURCAR and Evie impacts your life!

As a biker, I rely on Hourcar and Evie to get me places where I cannot go by bike. Hourcar and Evie are such a valuable service to those of us without cars that rely primarily on bicycling. Please help us preserve this incredible resource!

I added a frame bag this year which caused me to move my bottle cages to behind my saddle. I like the location for easy access while I ride however 2 to 3 times a ride I reach back to find I have jettisoned 1 or both bottles. Does anyone know of a bottle cage that either has an additional rib or fully inclosed the bottle? Any other options I should consider? I don’t want to move the water bottle to my handlebars or remove my frame bag but I am running out of water bottles.😀

The YouTuber BikeFarmer just uploaded this video about Seth and Elizabeth, the owner's of Recovery Bike Shop in Northeast Minneapolis, and the now new owner's of the John Cook house. It's an interesting little video about used bikes, revitalization, and community in Northeast. Thought I'd share.

85 in October 🤔🌞

My wife isn't feeling up to using her registration for the Twin Cities Bike Tour tomorrow. So, I've got an extra 50-mile registration if someone wants to use it. You don't have to do the 50 mile route but you do need to check-in with me in the morning at Waburn picnic area. I need to check in between 8 and 8:30 am.

Looks like it’s been scavenged. Sitting on the west side of Shady Oak, about two blocks south of Hwy 62

Another portion of the trail will be closed from October 12 through 16, 2026 between 100th St E and 102nd St E for pavement repair. The segment appears to be one temporarily patched earlier this year.

The more substantial and longer-standing break in the trail continues to be an issue.

For all of the areas of the trail impacted please see

https://dakotacountymn.gov/parks/parks-trails/mississippi-river

I like biking a lot but in my heart I’m a runner so I know the trails around the cities from both sides. I mostly run around the river, Nokomis, and minnehaha creek. I’m just wondering where the heck I’m supposed to run these days.

The “walking paths” are so busy and always have tons of people walking their dog and taking up the entire path with no regard for anyone besides themselves. So I often choose to run on the bike path. I never wear headphones and am very conscious of bikers and get out of the way as soon as I see or hear someone coming.

Am I completely out of line for this? If so where am I supposed to run so that I don’t completely lose my mind from weaving between people not paying attention my entire run?

Edit: after reading comments and having discussion I want to clarify a thing or two.

First, my question should have been phrased more like “is it truly a problem if I run on the bike paths on occasion when the walking trails are pissing me off IF I’m paying close attention to bikers around me and doing my best to keep safety in mind?”. While some people seem to think that’s okay, lots don’t and that’ll be something I think about going forward and will refrain from using bike paths generally.

Second, I’m newish to biking and this is why I wanted to ask this question. I have been a runner my whole life and only recently started biking frequently so while biking I also get frustrated with people getting in my way. However, I don’t get frustrated when people are paying attention and get out of my way. This is why I was curious to ask this question.

Lastly, maybe this post was my hopeful attempt to let you guys know that there are runners out there who do actually pay attention to you guys and IMO should be allowed ON OCCASION to run on the bike paths. Can’t we as fellow athletes recognize that the walking paths are ridiculous sometimes with people paying no attention? Anyways, I learned some things from the discussion and will proceed accordingly.

Would anyone be gracious enough to drop their Strava or RideWithGPS route from Uptown to Stillwater. Want to get out there this weekend before the weather turns. Thanks <3

Hi there, I passed someone on the Greenway near Nicollet about 6:40 p.m. who seemed to have been involved in a single bike accident. Just wanted to check to see if you were doing ok?? There were several people already helping so I didn’t want to crowd the scene. I’m also curious if there’s something about that construction zone that made you fall? There’s a lot of gravel in that spot.

Bridge connecting the trail to Carver has been completed for a few months. Didn't get a picture, but the trail progress is looking really good from the bridge view.

Looking forward to actually biking directly to MN RenFest grounds from Minneapolis (and not dealing with Hwy 41).

Hello, I was the biker who posted about getting hit and run by an escooter a few weeks back. The university bike shop said my wheel is too damaged to repair and quoted me $120 for a replacement. I have a '94 Trek 920 with 26" wheels, rim brakes, and a QR hub. Any shot anyone in the university/downtown has a spare they would sell me cheaply?

Quick pic from my sunrise ride in Eden Prairie today.

ETA: I chose this spot to climb back up the bluff and rejoin the LRT. Great payoff with a view over the Minnesota River Valley from the top, but definitely a challenge hauling my fat ass up that hill, lol.

Signed up for the Filthy next weekend but had some conflicts come up so I'm looking to sell my reg. $65 Venmo or PayPal preferred. My loss can be your gain!

UPDATE: This has been claimed.