Minneapolis

Minneapolis, a set on Flickr.

What a packed few days. There is no way I'll be able to get it all in.

• Riding into Minneapolis along purpose built trails.
• Similar to Bristol to Bath bike path, but slightly better surface.
• Trees, lovely trees.
• Lakes, lot's of lakes.
• Sun, and blue skies.
• different users of the system.
• Feeling like an 8 year old riding a bike in the lanes for fun and freedom.
• Meet up with Simon Blenski, who works for the city in the Bike & Pedestrian section. He gave us a little interview and some insight into the situation in Minneapolis. Then also escorted us into the city.
• Excellent route, cycling along more dedicated cycle tracks and through parks.

Very excited to be in a city. Buildings, and people and buzz.




Got into the hotel, quick turn around to make our way to the Dangerous Man brewing company for beers and meets. Felt a bit tired and ruffled heading in, but then was pretty blown away by the reception, must have been well over a dozen people there all interested in different aspects of the city and cycling. Amazing positivity and lots of information about what's going on.

• Went for dinner.
• Walked back to the hotel through the city with fireworks for the end of the baseball game (Go Twins).
• Felt like the country mouse in the city and slightly bewildered.

• Up early next day spoke with family then off for a breakfast at Manny's at the W hotel, very generously hosted by John Young.
• Then off to explore.
• We were given a top tour around Locals very generous with their time and experience and knowledge,
• Bikes and more bikes and runners and sunshine.
• Buildings and roads and bridges and rail lines.

Really requires a more considered summary, but right now the enthusiasm and energy is too much and EPS has kicked in again, requires a little reflection.

Some of the key points as I read it from various conversations and observations is that there is a very focussed and dedicated pro-bike movement. There is good organisation. There is political support. There is a huge amount of civic pride and view that improving cycling amenity will improve other aspects of the city.

There is a slight feeling that there is a lot of leisure cycling and the hard task is to transfer the 37% or however many it is in the city that consider cycling an interesting option but are put off by weather, traffic and poor accessibility




So all this contributed to me having a very invigorating weekend.

Saturday night we said goodbye to Tom. There was a beer fest which was actually better than I'd hoped, sampled quite a range of pretty good beers (lots of hops generally) and later in the evening returned to the W hotel and the prohibition bar on the 27th floor. Stunning views and nice drinks. If a little pricey. A late night and early morning back out on the bikes out to Red wing.

The last couple of days riding have been very pleasant Being escorted out on Sunday was an absolute dream and took a lot of pressure off. I even made a friend with another Surly. Which I learnt comes from Minneapolis. So like a homecoming for my bike.



I've felt invigorated and inspired by my time in Minneapolis. Not just because it's nice to be in a city and have such amenable, informative and generous hosts. But also largely because it re-focusses a large part of what this trip is about. It's getting very busy, but we have many hands and eyes and ears to take it all in as we whizz through city after city in the next few weeks. There is a lot of info from Minneapolis to work with in our final report and it will be interesting to compare to the other places we pass through. It certainly starts here. It's shattering, hard work combining cycling with talking and studying along with day to day keeping things ticking over, such as eating and sleeping and washing and bike maintenance. But what a way to see the country.