***St Paul Classic Bicycle Tour**(Dial up Warning)

[bvar22]

This was FUN!
Riders signed in, and then left the Start Line when they felt like it.
I was one of the later starts at 9:AM.
I have no idea how many riders participated today (3 - 5000?) because they were all strung out along the course.
This was a good idea because it kept the traffic manageable.










Getting ready to roll.
Most people are already out on the course.





FIRST REST STOP at on Shepard Rd. I was surprised at the number of bikes.
I HATE stopping when I have a ROLL going, so I just blew on by.
The turn off for the Short Course (15 miles) was a few miles ahead.
Almost no one turned off.
My estimate= 90% took the Long Course (30 miles).





Climbing the hill from River Level on Shepard Rd to Mounds Park on the bluffs.
This is a HEALTHY climb.





Cresting the hill at Mounds Park followed by an Adrenalin pumping downhill!
This guy is warning us to use both brakes.
I didn't use any, and no one around me did either.
Some wonderful whooops and hollers of delight on the downhill rush!





2nd Rest Stop. Again I was surprised at the number of bikes.
I didn't stop here either.

There was another Rest Stop in Como Park (didn't stop) and another good hill climb on Wheelock.
I didn't take many pictures. I was having too much fun riding the bike. The only places we slowed down enough to safely use the camera was at the top of the two hill climbs, or the heavy traffic at the rest stops. I may stop frequently next year, just sit on the side of the road, and take pictures of the many fascinating bikes and riders who stream by.
But today, I just wanted to keep riding.





Finished!!! 30 miles in 80-90 degree heat ain't so bad.

I was impressed by the wide variety of people (old & young) and bikes. There were many recumbent (2 and 3 wheeled), expensive Bianchi racers, retro Schwinns with streamers on the handlebars, fully outfitted commuters, fat tired Mountain Bikes, and trailer rigs with small children. There was even two unicycles. I would like to have taken more pictures focusing on the variety of different people and bikes, but I was enjoying the ride too much to mess with the camera.
Maybe next year.

[Longhorn]

1. That really does look like fun!

I wish I could have been there. My husband and I were going to ride today but it rained all day. We can always use the rain but it would have been nice now that it's cooling off a tad.

Thanks for sharing your pictures and congratulations on a great ride!

[bvar22]

3. I'll send you an invitation next year.

You have a place to stay!
You would love it.
I've been following your training posts.

Minneapolis/St Paul is a wonderful vacation spot for dedicated enthusiasts. The Bike Paths and Commuter Ways are World Class.
I'll be posting pictures of the dedicated Bike Paths and Limited Access Commuter Paths later this week

[wtmusic]

2. A lot of happy people having a helluva time

Love looking at bike tour pictures! Thanks for posting.

Also love the map--whoever "K. Avidor" is, they do a great Robert Crumb...

One little tip about hand brakes--just take them off, then you won't be tempted to use them :)

[bvar22]

4. You're invited for next year too.

That guy DOES do a good Crumb.
No wonder I liked the map so much.