Alright, I am going for my first real bike ride in Duluth and want an opinion on the best ride in the area. It is a toss up between the Munger Trail or The Senic Route up to Two Harbors. Are there any other suggetions that would make for a good ride? These days are a rarity for me so I like to make them count. What do you all think. And no, I will not be riding the bike in the picture, even though I would like to try!!
Posted by
nbayuk on June 2, 2008 09:47 AM | Permalink
Comments
West on Maple Grove. Return on Hwy 2. Or, if you're adventurous turn south on Midway Rd. and run down to Beck's road into Gary.
Another option:
Northeast on Old hwy 61 (North Shore Dr.), return on the back side (north side) ... makes for a long tough ride. After Two Harbors, head straight west and hang a right on hwy 10. Follow the curve left -- you go west again -- and you are now on 11. Left on 41, right on Knife River Rd, left on Homestead, right on Korkki, there will be a left curve and then a right, left on Ryan, right on Lismore (43). You can make up your own mind after that. Whew! Makes for a good ride. You won't run into too many problems, because the pavement will sort of force you to go the correct way.
Another good one is down into Wisconsin near Amnicon falls.
If you do Munger, try coming back through Wrenshall. You can extend it, too, by going through Oliver, WI via Military Rd. if you want. It makes for a long, but relatively decent ride (low traffic, and most of it is downhill afterwards :)
Posted by: huitz | June 2, 2008 11:19 AM
The Munger is always a nice ride when you start in Duluth, as you are going to have a nice downhill ride back.
Scenic route is nice too.
Munger would get my vote since you are actually out in the woods, not just on the shoulder of the road.
Posted by: ian | June 2, 2008 11:20 AM
Nice pants, Dr. Thunder.
Posted by: adam | June 2, 2008 02:37 PM
Experienced cyclists will fill your head with all sorts of interesting favorite runs of theirs, because they've done the Munger Trail 900 times.
But until you do the Munger Trail 900 times, it's still the best ride there is.
Posted by: Paul Lundgren | June 2, 2008 05:00 PM
The Osaugie Trail in Superior is nice too, although it has a few dangerous hills/sharp turns and a couple of nasty cracks in the asphalt. It extends from Barker's Island to near Wisconsin Point. Hardly anyone uses the trail, and you can stop off at Culvers or the Old Town for a Philly Steak Sandwich.
Posted by: -Berv | June 2, 2008 05:28 PM
Paul said:
"900 times"
Wow. I have yet to do that! I should point out, though, that the M trail is in disrepair, which won't bother you that much if you are going uphill. The best parts are on the near ends (Duluth and Carlton). Basically, rollerblades will be a frustration. Don't forget to check out the hemlock ravine and good 'ol St. Lou on your way up :)
Posted by: huitz | June 2, 2008 05:54 PM
Biking all of Skyline Parkway is always fun. The part past 40th Av West is great and the part past Spirit Mountain is better yet. I am sure the road is in rough shape however.
I have also notices there are bike paths up the shore from Gooseberry north. I haven't ridden them yet but they look like fun....
Posted by: ruthie | June 3, 2008 04:08 AM
You can get a bike map of the twin ports from the ski hut. Very handy. Anyway, since I live right on skyline, I like to do one of two "circle routes". (1) Go east on skyline to "seven bridges road", cruise down to superior and circle back up on 6th ave. OR (2) Go west on skyline to Highland St., cruise down to the westside and come back on Mesaba via superior st. Both routes allow you to hit up the SHT at numerous points for a nice "bike and hike". Wow, that's a lot of quotes!
Posted by: koksie | June 4, 2008 02:38 PM
I'm glad koksie mentioned the SHT. If you don't mind using your feet instead of the pedals, the Duluth SHT is some of the best hiking I've seen in my life...
http://www.shta.org/Trail/Duluth.php
Posted by: huitz | June 4, 2008 05:43 PM