The heat and humidity will continue this Independence weekend, so you’ll want to get out for a ride early in the day. I’ll lead rides Friday and Saturday morning. The temps both mornings will be from the mid 70s to the mid 80s with light winds and some clouds.

Friday’s ride will be off-road along the Minnesota River. You’ll probably want an off-road bike, since there are stretches of sand and some mud. I’ll be leaving my house in west Bloomington at about 07:00 and riding my fat bike to the trailhead at Lyndale Avenue in east Bloomington by 07:30. From there, I’ll ride east to the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge and I will be there about 08:00. If you’re coming from Eagan or Rosemount, you can take Nicols Road to the Cedar Ave bridge and cross the river. We can follow the Long Meadow Lake Trail or the Fort Snelling Trail east and north before returning home. This ride will be at a slow, easy pace (~10 mph average). Contact me if you plan to ride, and let me know where I should expect to meet you.

Saturday’s ride will be from Rosemount to Northfield, clockwise. Meet at Starbucks and be ready to ride at 08:00. Our friends at Brick Oven Bakery are only open for pickup, so we may need to find another spot stop in Northfield. Let me know if you have an suggestions. Otherwise, Odd Fellows Park looks like a good place to stop.