Minneapolis country bike rally

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Starting a new thread to discuss the Riv/country bike rally to be held in the Twin Cities September 26-28, 2014.

I envision everybody coming in to town on Friday the 26th for a meet-and-greet at Hiawatha Cyclery, then spending the next two days riding around the twin cities. Hiawatha Cyclery, which is in south Minneapolis near the airport and light rail line, will be the center of the action. That's the extent of the itinerary at this point.

If you're coming from out of town, I'd be happy to receive your bike and ship it back to you (I only use UPS). Depending on my level of involvement, I may charge you for assembly/disassembly/packing labor, and UPS shipping charges. No charge if you just use HC as a drop-off and pick-up point for your bike, and you arrange your own shipping.

You're on your own for lodging, but I'd be happy to offer opinions on whether your lodging choice is sensible in terms of distance, bike friendliness, etc. I am tentatively planning to offer camping in my back yard. I hope other local Riv types will offer spare beds, couches, floors, backyards, and other forms of hospitality to our visitors.

I am happy to answer your questions. Please keep in mind that we have 8 months to nail down the details (and 8 months for plans to change). If you're enthusiastic now in January, please try to pace yourself so you still have some enthusiasm left in September. There's a significant risk of over-committing to summer plans during this gloomy time of year. Past experience suggests that if you and I spend several hours emailing back and forth, answering every question you can think of in January, there's an approximately 0% chance of you being able to make the trip in September. If you think you're actually going to come, then please ask your questions. If you're on the fence - that's cool, you have plenty of time to decide - please keep the correspondence to a minimum until you're more committed to coming.

[Tom Goodmann]

At this early point, then, Jim, a simple "Thanks!" for putting the idea out there.  Momentum will build, no doubt.  Tom (Miami, for which you don't want to know the forecast today)

[Conway Bennett]

Captain Conway here in Chicago. I'm definitely interested in a late summer rally in the cities. I would hope that there are some other folks in Chi that would be interested in making the drive out there. It would definitely beat disassembling, packing, shipping, assembling and paying for the experience of shipping or checking a bike.

- Fair winds

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Amtrak is a great way to travel to Minneapolis from Chicago with a bike.

[Matthew J]

Definitely.  All you need to do on Amtrak is remove the pedals and turn the bar.  Could not be easier.  Far more pleasant than driving. 

[hsmitham]

What Tom Goodmann said. Making my plans and keeping my enthusiasm super low for now.

~Hugh

[Kevin Mulcahy]

Although I'm Riv-less, I do have a number of country bikes. I'd like to add another enthusiastic voice from Chicago. I'd be down to carpool or Amtrack.

-Kevin

[Tony McG]

Sounds like a good time, Jim.  Looking forward to riding with the Twin Cities folks again.

[Michael Hechmer]

Jim, Pat and I are still planning on traveling to Minn. in Sept. Camping sounds good, unless the weather turns very chilly.  Can you offer any update on the plans?

Michael

[Marc Irwin]

It's on my calendar as well, camping always sounds  good to me!

Marc

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Evening of Friday, Sept 26, we will have a meet and greet party at Hiawatha Cyclery. HC is in South Minneapolis near the 50th Street and VA Medical Center LRT stations. The LRT will be convenient for those coming from the airport or staying downtown or near Mall of America.

On Saturday and Sunday I will lead day rides of 50ish miles. I will offer shorter options if needed.

Lots of hotels nearby. Camping is available about 18 miles from HC at Lebanon Hills, and 32 miles away (all bike trails) at Lake Auburn.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I'm hoping to offer rides that hit off-road and on-road cycling attractions. So ideally you all bring bikes with bigger tires.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

http://hiawathacyclery.blogspot.com/2014/07/minneapolis-country-bike-rally.html

[Marc Irwin]

Jim, 

 I posted the dates of the ride to the Chainlink Forum in Chicago with a link to this thread.

Marc

[Kevin M]

Would I be the only guy on a non-Riv country bike? I'm assuming this is a family friendly type of thing if the wife and little one tagged along? 

Kevin 

in Chicago

[Eric Platt]

Considering Jim Thill does not presently own a Rivendell, I think you'll be just fine. 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

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[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

You need not own or ride a Rivendell to participate.

You're welcome to bring family, kids, etc. Some of the rides might be beyond the capability of a small child, though.

[Kevin M]

If we're looking for lodging, where can be considered "ground zero" for the rally and rides?

[Marc Irwin]

I have reserved campsite #60 on the north loop of Lebanon Hills campground for 26-28.  It's non electric and another tent and vehicle is permitted if somebody would like to share.  It's nearest to the showerhouse.

Send a PM if you would like to share.

 

Marc

[Marc Irwin]

This campsite is now filled.  When I left the website it looked like the entire north loop was open for this weekend so far.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

All rallying and riding will be centered at Hiawatha Cyclery, 4313 E 54th St, Minneapolis, MN 55417. It's inside the corner formed by the junction of Highways 55 and 62 in South Minneapolis. There is plenty of free parking on adjacent residential streets.

HC is just a few blocks from two different light rail stations (50th Street, and VA Medical Center), which means convenience from any lodging located near downtown Minneapolis, MSP airport, or Mall of America. Minneapolis is arguably the most bike-accommodated city in the USA, so you'll have no problem pedaling from one side of town to the other on high-quality bicycle infrastructure. Downtown Saint Paul is also a reasonable option.

Marc's campsite at Lebanon Hills is roughly 17 bike-able miles away.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Also, I'd like to know who's coming. Please email me offlist to let me know who you are, and where you're traveling from.

[Shaun Meehan]

Don't know how I missed this thread before. I'll probably be there for at least one of the days, if not both. Riding one of the workhorse Surlys. Looking forward to it!

Shaun

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[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Been chatting with some friends, and I think it might be fun to have a fatbike demo on one of the days. Fat bikes have nothing to do with Rivendell, but they are about as "country" as bikes get. Any thoughts?

[Tim Gavin]

I'm very interested in getting a fat bike before this winter, so I'd definitely participate in a demo.  Sounds fun!

On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 11:05 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thil...@gmail.com> wrote:

Been chatting with some friends, and I think it might be fun to have a fatbike demo on one of the days. Fat bikes have nothing to do with Rivendell, but they are about as "country" as bikes get. Any thoughts?

[Marc Irwin]

Sounds good, I've only been able to ride one a short distance in parking lot.

Marc

[Anne Paulson]

I'm not able to go, although I wish I could, so maybe my opinion
should be discounted, but I say YES on the fatbike demo. Fatbikes and
29+ bikes seem Rivvish to me. It seems like fatbikes are practical,
simple and no-nonsense for the kinds of riding they're for, in a
Rivvish practical no-nonsense way.

On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 9:05 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery
<thil...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Been chatting with some friends, and I think it might be fun to have a fatbike demo on one of the days. Fat bikes have nothing to do with Rivendell, but they are about as "country" as bikes get. Any thoughts?
>

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-- Anne Paulson

It isn't a contest. Enjoy the ride.

[Eric Platt]

Jim know, but I'm voting yes.  But only on Saturday.  May be heading out of town on Sunday.  Am hoping to make at least part of this.  

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Michael Hechmer]

Jim, Alas Pat and I need to bow out of this event, although we are sorry to miss it.  It turns out that after a very,very, busy summer neither one of us was up for the 4 days of driving to & from St Paul.  We have made the trip before.  The road through Ontario is really only worth seeing once and after you leave Green Bay (the bay not the city) northern Wisconsin is dreadfully boring.  We need to relax more, spend and drive less.  We will drive one day through scenic southern NE and then take the tandem to Block Island ( 6 hours off the coast of RI) for two days.

Michael

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Ha, I enjoy the drive across northern Wisconsin! Too bad you can't make it, Michael.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Hey, I finally posted some details about the rally next weekend. Hope to see many of you there. tell your friends!
http://hiawathacyclery.blogspot.com/2014/09/country-bike-rally-details.html

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Surly loaned me several fat bikes. Four Ice Cream Trucks and a couple Moonlanders in various sizes. We will add these to the HC family fat bike stable, and have lots of bikes available to demo. 9am 9/27 Saturday morning. Meet at HC to ride to the demo site, or just go to the parking lot near the interpretive center at Fort Snelling state park.

[Tim Gavin]

That's great news, Jim!  My girlfriend and I are excited for the demo.  We'll meet you at HC tonight!

Tim

--

[Anne Paulson]

Hey country bike people, report back to us how you like the fat bikes
in the demos.

[Eric Platt]

Anne,

The fat bikes were fun.  The new Ice Cream Truck is the best of the bunch.  Well, except for a Ventana with a shocked fork.  However, when all was said and done, if I were to buy a new fatbike, it would be an ECR.  That is more my preference in both handling and comfort while riding.  

We spent the rest of the afternoon riding the Missisippi river bottoms.  Basically hardpacked sand/mud with occasional stretches of sand. There were a couple of Rivendells on that ride, but most of the riders were on fatbikes or other Surly bikes. (I rode my Surly Ogre with 2.3 inch tires and someone else was on a Surly Troll.)  

Unfortunately, due to job (yesterday) and band practice (tomorrow) am unable to make the other events.  Jim or someone else will need to post a report. 

All in all, a fun day.  Even if I wasn't on my Rivendell.

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

We broke the MCBR weekend into 4 parts. Friday night we rode to a Saint Paul establishment for dinner and drinks. I think there were around 15 of us at the start. There were at least two Rivs in attendance: Marc's gorgeous Hunq and Tim's first-year Riv Road. Lillian was riding a San Marcos. Hope I'm not forgetting anyone. The rest of the group was riding various other brands of "Country Bike".

Saturday morning, we tested several fat bike models on some dirt trails in Fort Snelling state park. Some park employees and other passersby came over to try the bikes. The new Surly Ice Cream Truck seemed to be a hit. Highlight for me: My wife's non-cycling 61yo aunt rode the XS ICT over some challenging off-trail terrain and smiled the whole time.

Saturday afternoon, the group rode a section of the Minnesota River Bottoms. This is basically a mostly flat, non-technical dirt trail along the Minnesota River. The trail is unofficial and mostly maintained by volunteers. Unfortunately, the state park people recently "cleared" the portion of the trail that runs through the park. Their hearts were in the right place, but it looks like they used a bulldozer, and just pushed sand and trees around, leaving the trail worse for the wear in places. Most of us were on fat bikes or mountain bikes, but Sean showed up with a Hilsen and JB tires, which handled the dirt with ease, and made the rest of us feel kinda silly.

Sunday was the pavement ride. We started from HC, and followed the Minnehaha Creek bike trail to the Minneapolis chain of lakes. One of the ride participants lost her wallet and phone the night before at an ice cream shop in Uptown, so we stopped there to ask if they'd found it. Luckily, they had, and everything seemed to be in order. We had a small conference on where to go next, and decided to head to a nearby coffee shop that features a gay leather/bondage theme. I restocked my supply of leather-scented body wash. So that was fun. From there, we hit the Bryant Ave bikeway, Loring Park, Downtown Minneapolis, Nicollet Mall, Hennepin Ave bridge, Saint Anthony Main, Stone Arch Bridge, University of Minnesota, the new Dinkytown greenway, U of MN transitway, Como Park, Frogtown, downtown Saint Paul, then across the river to climb the infamous Ohio St hill, Cherokee Park, followed by a thrilling descent on Hwy 13 into Mendota. I said my goodbyes and headed home from there, happy to have shown the riders such a broad cross-section of the Twin Cities amazing cycling opportunities.

[Tom Goodmann]

Sounds like a wonderful weekend, describing a potential future for so many communities to begin planning and building as MSP has already done, and continues to do.  Miami has less infrastructure, and not nearly such a well-developed bicycling culture, but we're getting there via efforts such as Critical Mass rides, places such as Magic City Bicycle Collective, and groups such as Emerge Miami.  Also, we get somewhat less snow than the Twin Cities. :)  --a fact that makes such a commitment from the MSP community all the more impressive.  Wish I could have made it there!  --Tom  Miami, FL

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[Anne Paulson]

What was it that people liked about the Ice Cream Truck? What made it fun?

[Tim Gavin]

The ginormous 5" tires!  The ICT just rolled over everything, like a monster truck, powered by grins.

The sparkly blue paint job ain't bad, either.  But the sparkly black on one Moonlander is the best Surly paint I've seen so far.

[Dan A]

While I enjoyed the ice cream truck I actually preferred the good old Pugsley. My freakishly large legs would occasionally hit the wide seat stays on the ice cream truck. I also prefer the marginally narrower bottom bracket on the Pugsley. Either way fat bikes are a blast. I imagine at some point I may end up with one but I would need to cull the herd a little first.

Dan Abelson

[Anne Paulson]

That's one thing I like about my 3" tires: I don't have to jump curbs
and small logs. I just ride at them, and go over.

[cyclotourist]

Linkity-link doesn't work...

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 6:20 AM, Marc Irwin <irwi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I finally took the time to post a recap of the weekend with a bunch of photos on my blog if anybody wants to take a look.

I certainly enjoyed the weekend lugged steel, bondage and expresso just go together.

Marc 

[Marc Irwin]

I finally took the time to post a recap of the weekend with a bunch of photos on my blog if anybody wants to take a look.

I certainly enjoyed the weekend lugged steel, bondage and expresso just go together.

It's fixed.

Marc

[Tom Goodmann]

Thanks for sharing, David; nice write-up.  --Tom  . . . still hot in Miami

On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 1:10 PM, Marc Irwin <irwi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I finally took the time to post a recap of the weekend with a bunch of photos on my blog if anybody wants to take a look.

I certainly enjoyed the weekend lugged steel, bondage and expresso just go together.

It's fixed.

Marc

On Saturday, October 4, 2014 10:46:26 AM UTC-4, cyclot...@gmail.com wrote:

Linkity-link doesn't work...

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 6:20 AM, Marc Irwin <irwi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I finally took the time to post a recap of the weekend with a bunch of photos on my blog if anybody wants to take a look.

I certainly enjoyed the weekend lugged steel, bondage and expresso just go together.

Marc 

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[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Really nice write-up and photos Marc!