Paul Bunyan Trail, Minnesota

The lake house we rented for our family vacation was only a few miles from the famous Paul Bunyan State Trail.  So, of course, I was eager to rent a bike and take a spin on a portion of the 84 mile trail that transverses the state of Minnesota. 

The bike shop suggested that we ride south - it was more scenic at the time since the trail to the north  was under construction.  We were not disappointed. 

The Paul Bunyan trail is miles and miles of a flat, tree-lined path that is away from traffic.  In the short section we biked, we passed four lakes - Clark, Molly, Hubert and North Long Lake.  There were plenty of places for a picnic stop and several towns to explore along the way. 

This would be an overnight bike tour dream!! 

 

 

 

Minnesota is lucky to have the Paul Bunyan Trail!! 

 

 

Toronto Islands

Our Toronto bike tour included a twilight ride on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario.   We biked Toronto's Waterfront Trail to the ferry.  Lots of day visitors were coming off the ferry after a sun-filled day at Lake Ontario's beaches away from the city.  We were the few actually going TO the islands at sunset.  Bikes were welcomed on the ferry with little rules - just lean your bike up against the wall.  :)

Bikes on Ferry from Toronto to Islands

The Islands were a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city.  There are very few residents (600 +/-) on the islands and hardly no cars, just official park or emergency vehicles.  We biked near picnic areas, by beaches (even a "clothing optional" beach), along a shoreline wooden boardwalk, down the pier on the far south side of the island and through the small residential area.  

Total BLISS the entire time !!  

Toronto Island Pier

Residential Area of the Islands

The best part of the evening ride was watching the sunset behind the Toronto skyline.  Although, we had a light cloud cover, it was AWESOME!!  The setting sun casted a bright orange glow behind the city.  We then caught a different ferry back to the city.  Still an easy bike transport - just lean your bike along a bench seat. 

 If you ever make a trip to Toronto make sure to leave the city, take the ferry across Lake Ontario and spend some time on the islands.  If you can, take a bike and enjoy the sunset.  It will be a memorable time for sure. 


 

 

 



Ground Rounds, Minneapolis

We were joining my family for a week's vacation at a lake house in northern Minnesota.  I could not pass up the opportunity to bike around Minneapolis before joining up with the family.

For a city that has a short warm season and a population of almost  400,000, Minneapolis has a wonderful recreational biking area.  It is called the Grand Rounds Science Byway and is one of the country's longest continuous systems of public urban parkways.  The Grand Rounds has a 50 mile walking and biking path near lakes, creeks, woodlands, lagoons,  riverbanks, wetlands and other greenways. The Grand Rounds basically goes around the entire city. 

My daughter and I biked a portion of the Grand Rounds that started in the Chain of Lakes area of town.  We rented bikes a few blocks away from Lake Harriett and biked around three lakes - Harriet, Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. 

In these lake areas the Grand Rounds has two paths - one for walking and one for biking - separated by a small greenbelt.  The biking path was a one-way, paved path around each lake.  We truly enjoyed the leisure biking environment. 

 

It did take us a while to understand the signage.  We missed one turn and had to back track on the car street due to the one-way bike path. It was no big deal - the drivers were very understanding.   After that detour we figured out the frequent directional signs and did not take another wrong turn. 

I wished we had another day in Minneapolis to bike more of the Grand Rounds.  There are several other sections, like the Downtown Riverfront and the Mississippi River, that look wonderful to bike.  I will have to return to Minneapolis for another go around on the Grand Rounds!! 



 

Downtown Toronto, Canada

 

CN Towner

My daughter and I visited Toronto as part of a longer vacation in the area.  We spent two days biking through downtown and the islands in Lake Ontario.  

Our downtown tour took us all over the city to see historical areas, new landmarks and scenic city sites. 

Cycling is very popular in Toronto.   The drivers were courteous and patient.  Cyclists are accepted pretty much everywhere - shopping centers, train stations, sidewalks, promenades....  However, the city could use a more robust cycling infrastructure.  There is really only one off-street bike path - along the waterfront.

The weather was perfect for biking.  I kept wondering if I could bike year-round in Toronto.  It would be tough. 



Historic John Street RR Roundhouse

Toronto Waterfront



Historic Distillery District

St. Lawrence Market Place