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  1. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    502

    Velo...

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    Kate,

    I live in NE Mpls, about a 5 minute ride from Stone Arch...so it doesn't take me long to get on the river road. We're lucky to live in a city with such great places to ride. Last time I was down there (a couple weeks ago when it was 80), I was on my hybrid, on the path, watching all of these awesome roadies fly by on the road, and I kept thinking, "That WILL be me someday!"

    Hmmm, Velo Bellas...(getting nervous) I've never done a group ride. And I'm not into racing. Would that still be a good fit for me, as a beginner?

    Molly

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    48
    Kate and Molly...

    I hadn't realized you are both in Minneapolis also! So am I and have no idea where the River Road is since I'm a beginner in riding the road. Can you tell me where this is? I'm on the southwest side of Minneapolis. Also, are there cycling clubs for roadbiking? I'm mainly into mountainbiking, but would sure like some pointers on how this is done and the best places to ride.

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    213
    West River Parkway and East River Parkway are the two roads that follow the Mississippi from downtown to the Ford Dam on the West side, and to Shepard Road on the East (St. Paul) side. It's a great loop to go down one side and back up the other. If you live in Southwest Mpls. you can take Minnehaha Parkway to West River Parkway. The Midtown Greenway also connects to West River Parkway.

    Most local clubs have women's rides and/or beginner rides on certain nights.

    If you're looking for something really non-intimidating, I'd recommend Hiawatha Cycling Club. It's a co-ed club with moderately paced rides (you'll see recumbents) and it's a good way to learn some local routes.

    If you think that someday you may want to race, or just want to ride in a paceline and learn from other riders, I'd recommend an all-women's club, which to me feels more inclusive. You should check out the Velo Bella rides on Tuesday and Saturday from Now Bikes in St. Paul, or the Birchwood women's team new rider night, which is a once a month ride that starts from the Birchwood Cafe, near Franklin Ave. and West River Road. Both teams have websites where you can get more info.

    I'd recommend looking up Minneapolis bicycle clubs online and try riding with different ones to see where you feel most comfortable. I tried three clubs before settling on VB, but the people have been really friendly and welcoming at every group ride I've been on. At the least you'll learn lots of good routes, and you may even find some new friends.

    Molly, don't worry if you don't want to race. Lots of club riders never race, but still think it's fun to ride in a group.

    Hope to see you gals out on the road!

    kate

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    48
    Wow, thank you so much for all this information! I'm clueless on anything road, this will help a lot. I'm way out here in Chaska and I know there are some good rides here, just don't know yet and I'm waiting for the street cleaners to get rid of all this sand.

    I hope to see both of you too! If ever you are planning a ride that can include newbies like me, please shoot me a PM. I'd love to break into the Minneapolis road riding scene. Thanks again.

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    213
    You're very welcome. I want to encourage more women to get out on the road now that I know how much fun it is.

    And I sure will invite you out for a ride when it finally warms up (those are chattering teeth)

    kate

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    502

    I said I'd 'fess up...

    I fell today! I was going down Deming Hill in NE Mpls, riding the brakes because I was scared, and toppled over to the left. Luckily it was just a little blooper!

    I said I'd confess, so here it is!

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    2,059
    And, we still want pictures!
    "The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Dallas
    Posts
    1,532
    Yep, we do!

    “Hey, clearly failure doesn’t deter me!”

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    502
    I seem to be technologically less than gifted. I'll get my DH to help me post one when he gets home!

    I'm a teacher...I did bring pictures to show my kids today. They listened to me blab on and on about getting a new bike and so I had to show them. They were sweet and humored me. Good kids!

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    502

    Picture...finally!

    Ok, here goes! Sorry so slow!
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  11. #26
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    2,059
    Myrtle is beautiful! Love the color.
    "The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury

  12. #27
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Dallas
    Posts
    1,532
    Myrtle is a babe!

    “Hey, clearly failure doesn’t deter me!”

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    848
    preetttyyyy...
    Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us

  14. #29
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    502
    She literally glitters in the sun...gotta love it!

  15. #30
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    584
    Quote Originally Posted by northstar View Post
    She literally glitters in the sun...gotta love it!
    Congrats Northstar, I wish you and Myrtle many happy miles together Jennifer

 

 

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