Fall ride from Minnetonka City Hall, rest rooms available at start.  Today we are going to Excelsior for a rest stop and carbo load at the Red Bench

Bakery. Route has some challenging hills. 

Global Fat Bike Day 2023

Since 2012, the first Saturday in December has been designated as “Global Fat Bike Day”. There will be fat bike rides all over the world. My version will be in Como Park, with an option of going to the Reservoir Woods trails. The route will use paved trails, singletrack dirt/snow trails and grass, meandering past many of Como Parks scenic features. The Como Park route is 7.5 miles and is suitable to all Fat Bike skill levels. We will do 1-2 laps with a short break/bathroom stop at the Como Park Pavilion between laps. Each lap will take about 1 hour to complete. If there is any interest in riding more singletrack, the second lap can be in Reservoir Woods, which is more suited to intermediate skilled Fat Bikers. I will lead at a moderate ‘Fat Bike’ pace and regroup as needed.

The ride briefing will be in the grassy area between the pavilion and the Hamm Memorial waterfall.

Park your car in the parking lot on the south side of the pavilion. If that lot is full, there is a parking lot on the north side of the pavilion. Restrooms are available on the north side of the pavilion and the second floor of the pavilion. The route starts on the bike trail on the south side of the pavilion.

After the ride, please consider joining me for a post ride beer and lunch at the Dock and Paddle.

TCBC is again volunteering with Free Bikes 4 Kidz; cleaning and fixing up bikes to give away to children.  No prior experience needed.  A variety of jobs are available including cleaner, prepper (light maintenance) and mechanic.  It is recommended that you wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.  Also, it is a bit cool in the warehouse so bring a warm shirt or sweatshirt.  It is a fun and rewarding experience and you might learn something new about bikes.  Each session is 3 hours in length.  There is no club insurance for this activity.  Please consider joining volunteering for one or more sessions.  You will need to register both here and at the Free Bikes 4 Kidz website:  https://fb4k.my.site.com/Volunteer/s/group and use the Group Code Twin 24FB4k. Once you reach the website, you will tale a short quiz to determine the best job for you.  

FYI - ANY C RIDERS WHO'D LIKE TO DO THIS RIDE, LYLE IS GOING TO LEAD A C VERSION, A LITTLE MORE LEISURELY AND PROBABLY 20 MILES. GO AHEAD AND SIGN UP FOR MY RIDE AND WE'LL SORT EVERYONE OUT AT THE START. YOU CAN CERTAINLY START WITH ME AND LYLE'S GROUP WILL BE BEHIND US. THEY MAY NOT DO THE EXTRA LOOP. ANY QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO CALL OR TEXT ME OR LYLE AT 612-516-2053. 

A short day, a short route, a ride leader with a short attention span and no one will be wearing shorts! Too many “short” references? Thought so! But you get the idea. Ride starts at 11:30 a.m. from the Bald Eagle Recreation Area on Hugo Road. It’s a big loop out to the east on nice roads with some new pavement. I added a couple fun little short loops (sorry, one more short thing—couldn’t help myself) at the end after we go back across Hwy 61. We’ll do those loops if no one is whining (like me!) about being cold. Loops are on Everton/Ethan/Elmcrest and through Fable Hill. Or we can skip the loops and go home.

There’s a portable toilet at Bald Eagle at the boat launch but good idea to stop at the Holiday station on the corner before coming to the start just in case. Hugo called me back and bathrooms aren't open at Hanifl Athletic Fields and portable toilets have all been pulled out. This time of year, our rest stop options with bathrooms are pretty limited. We do go by the Holiday station on Hwy 61 at 17.8 miles and can stop there if we decide to do the extra loops.

Route is loaded, so please download, pin to your phone or print. I plan to ride at a fairly brisk B/C or low B pace and average around 13ish mph moving right along to stay warm. Faster riders are welcome to ride off ahead.   

The usual warnings – if rain, snow, gusty winds or anything nasty that I think could cause unsafe riding conditions -- I’ll cancel so please check the Forum, Ride Calendar or don’t hesitate to call or text me at 612-381-6711.

The area is mostly flat.  Bathrooms are available at the start at Coldwell Banker Burnet building. Road bikes.

All newsletter submissions are due today for the January-February 2024 newsletter!

Please make sure that your newsletter items have been submitted to Doug Nelson at newsletter@biketcbc.org

Thanks!

Meet Charlie and me at Angel Food (donuts, coffee, water and restrooms) in St Louis Park. 

Same shopping center as Erik's, just a few doors down.  

This is our annual Hopkins and St Louis Park night ride to enjoy the holiday lights.   

Four extremely well decorated homes are the highlights.

This is a ride for adventure and exploring, not for beating the clock or getting a Strava Personal Best!

I will lead this ride at a BC pace, from the front of the group, with an occaisional "All Here?!" query and response, to ensure group togetherness. 

Charlie will be the sweep leader as two leaders are required for TCBC after-dark night rides. 

Ride on!

Hidden Falls Adventure

This route is almost entirely on marked bike lanes and bike trails. We will be riding on the Swede Hollow bike trail, Lilydale Bike trail, Crosby Farm and Hidden Falls trails, Mississippi River Trails, Como Avenue Bikeway, Wheelock Bikeway, Lake Phalen trails and the Bruce Vento trail. These trails can vary from exceptionally rough to exceptionally smooth and may be covered with sand and leaves, so I recommend a bike with at least 28mm tires. At Hidden Falls you will have the option of carrying your bike up the 100 steps of the Hidden Falls trail, or riding up the 20% grade of Hidden Falls Road. Either one will be a challenge, but E-bikes and road bikes will have an easier time on Hidden Falls Road and Gravel and Mountain Bikes will probably be better off doing the Hike-a-bike up the stairs. Which ever you choose, we will regroup at the Hidden Falls overlook.

I will be riding at a social “B” effort and I will attempt to keep the group together. Anyone that wants to ride ahead at a faster pace is welcome to do so, but keep in mind, if you are uncertain which way to go, just stop and wait for the “B” paced group to catch-up.

The rest stop will be at Loons Coffee, at the halfway point of the ride. We will also stop for restroom breaks whenever one is needed.

There is plenty of parking in the 11 Wells Spirits parking lot. The ride briefing will be at the Saint Paul Brewery entrance. Rest rooms will be available at the ride start, inside Saint Paul Brewing.

After the ride, socializing, beer and food will be at Saint Paul Brewing. They have one of the most interesting and beautiful outdoor beer gardens but we may want to be inside because of the weather this time of year. The inside space is also very interesting!

TCBC is again volunteering with Free Bikes 4 Kidz; cleaning and fixing up bikes to give away to children.  No prior experience needed.  A variety of jobs are available including cleaner, prepper (light maintenance) and mechanic.  It is recommended that you wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.  Also, it is a bit cool in the warehouse so bring a warm shirt or sweatshirt.  It is a fun and rewarding experience and you might learn something new about bikes.  Each session is 3 hours in length.  There is no club insurance for this activity.  Please consider joining volunteering for one or more sessions.  You will need to register both here and at the Free Bikes 4 Kidz website:  https://fb4k.my.site.com/Volunteer/s/group and use Group Code Twin 24FB4k. Once you reach the website, you will tale a short quiz to determine the best job for you.  

Let's get in the holiday spirit and take a night ride through suburban neighborhoods in search of holiday lights. The route is only 15 miles.  Fat or mountain bikes are encouraged.  This is a stay together ride with leaders at that front and rear.  The route will be on all paved roads, so road or gravel bikes will be fine but the pace will be an easy 12 to13 mph average.  Both front and rear light are required.  Celebrate with some holiday cheer following the ride inside of Jimmy's.   Restrooms available at the ride start.  Plan on parking in the east parking lot off of LaBore Road.  Please pre-register.