Posts from — October 2007

In Illinois, they’ve been building an extension to I355, a connector ‘interstate’ highway. It’s slated to open next month.

As a fundraiser to build a multi-use trail, they’re opening up the road to cyclists for 3 hours, much as they do Lake Shore Drive once a year for a closed-to-traffic event. I’ll just quote the Roll the Tollway site:

Roll the Tollway offers a one-time, car-free bicycle ride on the new South Extension of I-355 before it opens to car traffic. Join thousands of cyclists for more than three hours of car-free bicycling on a 20-mile loop fully supported with rest stops and plenty of volunteers.

The new I35W bridge design is now online. It’s boring. Really… boring. And I’m ok with that, as I don’t know that the Mississippi crossing there is suitable for something wild like Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge:

However, I note something in the Star-Tribune article on the new I35W design:

The bridge is also designed to accommodate a pedestrian bridge, which could be suspended from the underside of the deck.

Let me get this straight: It’s the most expensive bid, and the design ‘can accomodate’ a pedestrian bridge? It’s not integrated? It’s not going to be built in the first place?

THAT makes me cranky. While there are additional nearby options for cyclists, the more crossings for cyclists and pedestrians, the better.

Hugh will be leading this little jaunt, but I am posting the map and queue for people’s delight. The ride visits Aamodt’s Apple Orchard, known for their apple pie and apple cider brats.

Ride is about 35 miles, and has some lovely rolling hills. The rest stop is late in the ride, but there are some chances at biffies and water prior to the orchard as needed. Several of the country roads do not have much shoulder, but are not especially busy. Riding single-file is suggested on such roads.

• Candy Apple Gray - Map (PDF)
• Candy Apple Gray - Cue Sheet (PDF)

7 SUN 1:30 PM B 32-38 mi. CANDY APPLE GRAY. Depart from Ramsey Beach, on Hwy 96 just east of Highway 61, White Bear Lake. Same start location, different route, different orchard. Explore some rolling hills on route to an apple bakery for apple pie, cookies, and turnovers. Faster riders welcomed so long as they leave some apple treats for the leader. Julie Kosbab, 651-253-2493, julie-at-rideboldly.org.