#rochmn — Public Fediverse posts

Today, while it was sunny and warm, it was extremely windy, so I really did not want to ride on the open county roads. I instead road on the sheltered #RochMN city trails for 25 miles. There were a few places where I was nearly knocked over, and Cascade Lake had whitecaps and crashing waves. While riding I decided to photograph most of the 10 construction cranes floating over our city. Mayo Clinic's "Bold. Forward. Unbound." development program and construction is well under way.
#BikeTooter

#30DaysOfBiking Day 19:
I waited until after lunch for it to warm up over 40F (5C) and for the sun to come out. That made for a more pleasant ride than yesterday. I rode the #RochMN city trails and the Douglas State Trail for 32 miles round trip to find the Marsh Marigolds which are just South of Milepost 6. I figured they would now be blooming as I saw others on another trail on Thursday. I was not disappointed. Sometime I'll go further up to find more wildflowers.
#BikeTooter
#BloomScrolling

This afternoon was awfully pleasant for riding a bike, 52F (11C), sunny and very light winds. But the remnant snow limited my choices. The #RochMN city trails were mostly open but there were spots where I had to dismount and one where I had to climb over a huge snowbank. One other place had not been plowed so I had to detour. There was a lot of snowmelt on the trails, so a bicycle with fenders was the best option. I rode my Brompton for 15 miles.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 59:
What a difference 24 hours makes. Yesterday 55F (13C) and sunny, today 20F (-7C) and snowing heavily. So I climbed back on my fatbike with studded tires and rode the #RochMN city trails for 11 miles. On the way back, I couldn't even see my tracks from an hour earlier as it was snowing so hard. It will be back above freezing starting Monday, so we'll see how long this snow lasts.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 40:
It was almost 40F (4C) when I set out on my ride. I rode 31 miles on #RochMN city trails and county roads West of town. As I live in far Southeast Rochester, I have to ride through town whenever heading West or North, so my "road" ride today was more on city trails than roads. Fortunately the Mayowood Trail was *mostly* clear of snow and ice so I was able to head out that way today. I still need to work on my stamina for longer rides and for climbing hills.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 35:
Today is the midpoint of astronomical winter or the beginning of Solar Spring (Northern Hemisphere), with the darkest quarter of the year now over. That it falls near Groundhog Day and Candlemas Day is not a coincidence.
Today I rode to a meeting with a local elected to discuss restoring bicycle access to downtown #RochMN after Mayo Clinic's Bold. Forward. Unbound. program will cause the existing bike lanes to get vacated with a new hospital construction.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 32:
I had my first crash in awhile on my bike ride today. It had snowed almost 2 inches and I couldn't see the black ice under the snow on a turn and incline. But the good news was that I fell into 2" of new snow, so no harm, no foul. It was 22F (-6C) the warmest ride in over 10 days. But because of the new snow, I had to go back to my fat bike. I saw one other fat biker out on the #RochMN city trails. The falling snow got heavier near the end of the ride.
#BikeTooter

The brutal cold is getting old. It was -6F (-21C) when I set off on my ride to have coffee with my "over 50" hockey team. At least it was sunny and the winds were light. It was +8F (-13C) for the return trip, so it did not feel as bad. Round trip is 12 miles. I'm still staying on the #RochMN city trails as the snow and ice is really persistent at these temperatures. Getting out every day in the sun on my bike does relieve the cabin fever; I feel sorry for those who cannot get out.
#BikeTooter

It was a tad warmer and the winds were a tad lighter meaning the windchill was *only* -11F (-24C) when I set out on my ride of the #RochMN city trails and streets for 16 miles. I still needed studded tires so I rode my gravel bike today. I missed seeing the aurora last evening, but was treated to a sun halo late this morning. I've seen sun dogs often enough, but cannot recall seeing a full halo. Another clipper is supposed to come through later and then the deep freeze by Friday.
#BikeTooter

It was considerably colder than yesterday so I waited until the temperature rose to -1F (-18C). However the windchill was -19F (-28C), so it was the coldest ride of the season, requiring extra layers and the battery powered heated gloves and socks. I rode the #RochMN city trails for 10 miles. The trails had been swept, not just plowed and were clean and dry. If not for the streets leading to the trails, I could have gone without studded tires. Maybe tomorrow.
#BikeTooter

Today was another unusual January day in Minnesota, sunny, 45F (7C), but it was windy. So I took out my ebike because of the wind and the puddles (the ebike has fenders) and rode the #RochMN city trails for 21 miles. There was only one spot where I had to dismount due to ice on a curvy slope. On the way home, I passed within a block of Mayo High School and the students had walked out for an anti-ICE demonstration. Lots of shouting and car horns in support. Yay for the kids!
#BikeTooter

As it was above freezing and the #RochMN city trails are now mostly free of snow and ice, I took the opportunity to ride regular (not studded) tires for the first time in over a month and rode a mile more than the 23.6 miles required for me to hit 9000 miles for the year. There were two spots I had to dismount and walk (narrow arched ped bridges with ice still) but the rest was at regular speed. Tomorrow's forecast indicates I'll be back on studded tires again soon.
#BikeTooter

The bridge over Bear Creek that I have to cross to get to most places by bicycle in #RochMN is too narrow for the Park & Rec trail plows, so it remains snow covered. But when you get more than 4 inches of snow, it becomes impassible without dismounting. After I got fed up with it after a few days of dealing with the 9 inches of snowfall, I took matters into my own hands and shoveled it myself. It was a good workout on top of my ride today.
#biketooter

It was cold overnight, in the low teens F and never got above freezing during the day. Ice is forming in the shallow and slow parts of the Zumbro River here in #RochMN , So I figured I get a ride in and test the last of my untested winter gear, my battery powered heated socks and gloves, and I am happy to say they are in good working order. I rode the city trails for 18 miles. It was chilly riding into the NW wind, but felt much more pleasant with the tailwind on the way home.
#Biketooter

For the first time in 10 days, I went for a longer recreational bicycle ride, the #RochMN city trails and the Douglas State Trail for 30 miles. It's a typical Minnesota November day, cloudy and cool, just a bit above freezing but fortunately the winds were light. With it being the coldest ride of the season, I tested out my cold weather gear. Last spring I received a bona fide cycling winter jacket, so I have to adjust my layering accordingly. The Bar Mitts are now on the road bike.
#Biketooter

#BikeStreak Day 203:
It was cool and sunny this morning, but was windy with some very strong gusts. So I kept the ride close to home, riding the #RochMN city trails for 23 miles. A lot of the trail system goes through wooded areas, especially the Bear Creek Trail and the Zumbro River South Trail, so that is good protection from the wind. It is supposed to remain windy, but rain is expected this afternoon and tomorrow. They're talking hard freeze by the weekend.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 159:
This morning I rode the The Big Sioux River Recreation Trail and Greenway, a 19 mile loop around Sioux Falls South Dakota. It is paved and like the #RochMN city trails, is built upon the flood control levees. For that whole loop, I only had to cross traffic once! They've made use of old railroad truss bridges for bike/ped crossings. It definitely makes Sioux Falls bike friendly.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 143:
Today I rode fairly early to meet old work colleagues for breakfast. Then afterwards I led a local bike club social group ride for coffee, a 10 mile ride on the #RochMN city trails. In all I rode 25 miles. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning to ride, the kind you dream about in February. Because of all the rain, everything is green and lush and everything looks clean. The only way you are certain it is late August is the incessant screams of the cicadas.
#BikeTooter

Yeah, it's hot and muggy, but my grocery run was still a lot more fun than if I'd taken a car.

On top of that, I don't need to bag my groceries. I push the trailer through the grocery store using it as a cart. I check out, no bags needed. The trailer hitches back to the bike, and home I go. In the garage, up the elevator and into our condo. So much more convenient.

#biketooter #RochMN

#BikeStreak Day 92:
I've now ridden every day in April, May and June. Today has a busy schedule, so I went out just after sunrise to ride the #RochMN city trails and the Douglas State Trail to milepost 6 and back for 32 miles. It was cool when I started and was getting warm when I returned. I mostly see the morning dog walkers, the early joggers and bicycle commuters at that time of day. The trail route means I do not have to deal with drivers in too much of a rush to get to work.
#BikeTooter

#RochMN has lots of nicknames, and one of them should be The #ParkingGarage City. This one at least offers #reflections of the clouds on this #SilentSunday.

#RochMN

#BikeStreak Day 39:
Yet another fabulous May day for riding! I rode my #bicycle up the #RochMN city trails and the Douglas State Trail to Pine Island and back for 50 miles. With it being such an outstanding Friday afternoon, there were a large number of cyclists on the trails; everyone else wanted to be outside too. With it being later in the afternoon, I rode the grass trail to the SxSE Brewery in PI.
#BikeTooter

#30DaysOfBiking Day 14:
After such a nice day Sunday, in contrast today is cloudy, cold and very windy, not conducive for a "fun" ride. So instead, i hooked the trailer onto my #ebike and did a grocery store run for 6 miles.
The long anticipated electric utility construction is starting today which will very soon close the trail that is my direct link to most of #RochMN . It will remain to be seen how well marked the bike and pedestrian detour will be and how rideable it will be.
#BikeTooter

#30DaysOfBiking Day 6:
Back home after spending time with the grandkids, it turned out to be a nice afternoon, sunny, 55F (13C) although a bit windy, so I took my road #bicycle out and rode the #RochMN city trails for 27 miles. There were a lot of folks, cyclists, walkers, joggers, dog walkers out on the trails too, so I had to slow and be courteous along the way. I did hear my first frog call of the season, and the Coots and Shovelers are still out on Cascade Lake.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 54:
Yesterday I saw on Strava that a friend had ridden most of the Douglas State Trail, meaning it is free of snow and ice. It was! I rode the #RochMN city trails and the Douglas State Trail to Pine Island and back for 47 miles. It was cloudy but upper 40'sF and light wind, so outstanding for a February ride. I've been hearing more songbirds, so I've been logging them via the Merlin app. On the way home I spotted a flock of Trumpeter Swans. Merlin confirmed!
#BikeTooter

Bonus post:
It was such a gorgeous afternoon that after my appointment, I had to get on my bikes some more. So I dug out the Brompton for the first time in a while and toodled around the neighborhood until it was time to leave for my second appointment. Then I rode my #ebike to the fairgrounds where the MNDoT public meeting on an intersection rebuild was being held. Before the meeting, I decided to stop at the nearby #RochMN Corn Cob Water Tower for a photo op.
#MNastodon
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 50:
After watching #mnwild win in OT, and with the temperature just under the freezing mark, I set out for a #bicycle ride. But the front derailleur cable snapped almost immediately and I had to turn around and swap bikes. I ended up using my road bike to ride #RochMN city trails and some county roads for 30 miles. It was nice not having to use battery heated socks or gloves, and using my regular bike helmet instead of ski helmet and goggles.
#BikeTooter

#BikeStreak Day 36:
Is our snow drought coming to an end? There was barely a half inch of new snow as I set out for a ride on the #RochMN city trails on my #FatBike for 12.5 miles. But along the way it started snowing heavily, and on the way back, I could barely make out the tracks of my bike from when I started; it is approaching two inches deep, the most we've gotten since before Christmas. The winds were light and it was 25F (-4C) so it was rather pleasant riding in the snow.
#BikeTooter

Lots of winter flurries today in #rochmn
Great day for a bike ride or three. #BikeTooter #minnesota #winter #errands

I need to start packing a garden trowel with me. It would be preferable to the stick (yellow circle) n shoe method. I like exploring around town. Today was windy so planned my route so the long downhill would be into the wind. #BikeTooter #minnesota #rochmn #infrastructure #guerillaurbanism

Taking Shape
I’ve got a rack to help carry things and a small bag for tools and emergency supplies. But the 42mm wheels are really making a comfort difference. Definitely increased the fun factor.
Note on the back is a kickstand for my #radwagon4 . The bolt snapped and I had to bring it in to get the small chunk drilled out. Eric at #rochmn cycling had it done in 10 minutes. Threw in a new bolt for me also. #BikeTooter

Today was a warm late summer day and was a nice day for the first ever #BikeMN Twin Cities Bike Tour, through Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 49 miles. It was a really nice route, most of the segments I have ridden before except for Wheelock Parkway and the Dinkytown Greenway. I ran into several of my #bicycle friends from #RochMN and visited with some at the rest stops. I would say it was a great success and I hope to ride it next year.
#BikeTooter

Today was a warm late summer day and was a nice day for the first ever #BikeMN Twin Cities Bike Tour, through Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 49 miles. It was a really nice route, most of the segments I have ridden before except for Wheelock Parkway and the Dinkytown Greenway. I ran into several of my #bicycle friends from #RochMN and visited with some at the rest stops. I would say it was a great success and I hope to ride it next year.
#BikeTooter

Today was a warm late summer day and was a nice day for the first ever #BikeMN Twin Cities Bike Tour, through Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 49 miles. It was a really nice route, most of the segments I have ridden before except for Wheelock Parkway and the Dinkytown Greenway. I ran into several of my #bicycle friends from #RochMN and visited with some at the rest stops. I would say it was a great success and I hope to ride it next year.
#BikeTooter

Today was a warm late summer day and was a nice day for the first ever #BikeMN Twin Cities Bike Tour, through Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 49 miles. It was a really nice route, most of the segments I have ridden before except for Wheelock Parkway and the Dinkytown Greenway. I ran into several of my #bicycle friends from #RochMN and visited with some at the rest stops. I would say it was a great success and I hope to ride it next year.
#BikeTooter

Today was a warm late summer day and was a nice day for the first ever #BikeMN Twin Cities Bike Tour, through Saint Paul and Minneapolis for 49 miles. It was a really nice route, most of the segments I have ridden before except for Wheelock Parkway and the Dinkytown Greenway. I ran into several of my #bicycle friends from #RochMN and visited with some at the rest stops. I would say it was a great success and I hope to ride it next year.
#BikeTooter

Not going any further on this path. #BikeTooter #rochmn #flooding #BikeLeans

E-cargo bike convention at Quarry Hill in #RochMN Four widely varying models to see. I think the market for cargo bikes equates with people who take their kids to nature centers. #cargobike #BikeTooter #ternhsd #radWagon #urbanarrow #bunches #ebike #ebikes #minnesota #nature

E-cargo bike convention at Quarry Hill in #RochMN Four widely varying models to see. I think the market for cargo bikes equates with people who take their kids to nature centers. #cargobike #BikeTooter #ternhsd #radWagon #urbanarrow #bunches #ebike #ebikes #minnesota #nature

E-cargo bike convention at Quarry Hill in #RochMN Four widely varying models to see. I think the market for cargo bikes equates with people who take their kids to nature centers. #cargobike #BikeTooter #ternhsd #radWagon #urbanarrow #bunches #ebike #ebikes #minnesota #nature

E-cargo bike convention at Quarry Hill in #RochMN Four widely varying models to see. I think the market for cargo bikes equates with people who take their kids to nature centers. #cargobike #BikeTooter #ternhsd #radWagon #urbanarrow #bunches #ebike #ebikes #minnesota #nature

E-cargo bike convention at Quarry Hill in #RochMN Four widely varying models to see. I think the market for cargo bikes equates with people who take their kids to nature centers. #cargobike #BikeTooter #ternhsd #radWagon #urbanarrow #bunches #ebike #ebikes #minnesota #nature

At Barlow plaza in #RochMN Talked with a guy on break about my bike. Said he said he knew it was a good kid hauler because he sees me around in it. One of the reasons I try to be a courteous rider, even to cars. Small enough city where people will remember you. #BikeTooter #ebike #radWagon

At Barlow plaza in #RochMN Talked with a guy on break about my bike. Said he said he knew it was a good kid hauler because he sees me around in it. One of the reasons I try to be a courteous rider, even to cars. Small enough city where people will remember you. #BikeTooter #ebike #radWagon

At Barlow plaza in #RochMN Talked with a guy on break about my bike. Said he said he knew it was a good kid hauler because he sees me around in it. One of the reasons I try to be a courteous rider, even to cars. Small enough city where people will remember you. #BikeTooter #ebike #radWagon

At Barlow plaza in #RochMN Talked with a guy on break about my bike. Said he said he knew it was a good kid hauler because he sees me around in it. One of the reasons I try to be a courteous rider, even to cars. Small enough city where people will remember you. #BikeTooter #ebike #radWagon

Was coming home from a #RochMN Target run on my #radwagon4 when I saw a cargo trike that looked much like the one below. The lady driving said she got it in Denmark and moved it here. She had replaced the rear wheel with a hub motor. Way too many hills in town to leave it acoustic. Anyway, very pleasant surprise. #BikeTooter

Went to the #RochMN library with my buddy. Perfect biking weather. Like it would feel criminal to yourself to drive somewhere that you could get to by bike. #BikeTooter #radwagon4 #minnesota