[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
Looks like a lot of fun. I should, but have not yet, find the time to ride up around Minneapolis. The bluffs on either side of the Mississippi near LaCrosse and even where Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois come together present both beautiful and challenging rides. I think if our friends out West made it out here for some riding (Mid- September is probably the best time weatherwise) they would be most pleased with the scenery, open roads and trails, if not somewhat disappointed with the food and coffee offerings away from Chicago and Minneapolis anyway. (You are never too far from decent places to eat and drink in the Bay Area and Wine District - of course everyone knows that so you are bound to be sharing the roads with quite a few of them). On Apr 2, 7:22 am, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery thill@gmail.com wrote: I'm probably not the only one who has enjoyed the photos Grant makes on his rides up into the hills around Walnut Creek. Some friends and I rode a back-road loop around Lake Pepin on Sunday. Usually when I ride around Pepin, the local vegetation is green and lush, but in March, it's still pretty brown. I thought many times that the brown, knobby topography was reminicent of Grant's WC area photos. Also, we all were riding steel (2 Rivs) and wearing clothes that didn't look like cycling clothes. This loop would be a good ride for you Californians who are under the impression that the Midwest is devoid of hills. Anyway, here's my write-up:http://hiawathacyclery.blogspot.com/2010/04/sundays-lake-pepin-advent... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
Joel: if you do make it to Mpls, I'll be happy to ride around with you and suggest some routes. Late Summer and Fall are great, because we have lots of nice offroad that is too wet earlier in the year. On Apr 2, 8:05 am, JoelMatthews joelmatth...@mac.com wrote: Looks like a lot of fun. I should, but have not yet, find the time to ride up around Minneapolis. The bluffs on either side of the Mississippi near LaCrosse and even where Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois come together present both beautiful and challenging rides. I think if our friends out West made it out here for some riding (Mid- September is probably the best time weatherwise) they would be most pleased with the scenery, open roads and trails, if not somewhat disappointed with the food and coffee offerings away from Chicago and Minneapolis anyway. (You are never too far from decent places to eat and drink in the Bay Area and Wine District - of course everyone knows that so you are bound to be sharing the roads with quite a few of them). On Apr 2, 7:22 am, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery thill@gmail.com wrote: I'm probably not the only one who has enjoyed the photos Grant makes on his rides up into the hills around Walnut Creek. Some friends and I rode a back-road loop around Lake Pepin on Sunday. Usually when I ride around Pepin, the local vegetation is green and lush, but in March, it's still pretty brown. I thought many times that the brown, knobby topography was reminicent of Grant's WC area photos. Also, we all were riding steel (2 Rivs) and wearing clothes that didn't look like cycling clothes. This loop would be a good ride for you Californians who are under the impression that the Midwest is devoid of hills. Anyway, here's my write-up:http://hiawathacyclery.blogspot.com/2010/04/sundays-lake-pepin-advent... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
Looks like a fun ride Jim! Riding around Lake Pepin is quite a journey. As Joel stated, the Mississippi and all it's tributaries offers very challenging riding. I grew up in Rochester, which is blessed with hilly terrain just to the East, NE and SE. Co. Rd. 9 out of Rochester towards Whitewater State Park is a roller coaster no one can forget. Winona and La Crosse are two great cities to ride around, as well as nice cities to visit during the summer. I rode the Oktoberfest 100 in La Crosse once many years ago all I really remember about it was the ups and downs. That's the difference between many Western states riding and the Midwest. Climbs are often longer and less frequent out West. In the Midwest . they're short (around a mile), but they can be one after another after another. Try riding around La Crosse(WI) and La Crescent (MN) in the Fall during apple season. Midwest apples are the best on earth, but I guess I'm partial:) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
On Apr 2, 8:22 am, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery thill@gmail.com wrote: great pics, Jim. yet another place I'd like to do some cycling. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
On Apr 2, 2010, at 8:05 AM, JoelMatthews wrote: Looks like a lot of fun. I should, but have not yet, find the time to ride up around Minneapolis. The bluffs on either side of the Mississippi near LaCrosse and even where Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois come together present both beautiful and challenging rides. I went to college at St. Mary's in Winona 1977-81 and lived in Winona and La Crosse until 1988 when I moved to St. Paul to get employment. Back in the recession of the early 80s, that area was hard hit (Winona has not really recovered yet, from taking a stroll down 3rd St. last fall). I'm always amazed that the Coulee Region is not a cycling mecca in the US- great quiet country roads, mostly low traffic, beautiful views of the river, challenging climbs and exhilarating descents. Whenever I go there to see friends I bring a bike and sneak out for a couple of rides. I think if our friends out West made it out here for some riding (Mid- September is probably the best time weatherwise) they would be most pleased with the scenery, open roads and trails, if not somewhat disappointed with the food and coffee offerings away from Chicago and Minneapolis anyway. (You are never too far from decent places to eat and drink in the Bay Area and Wine District - of course everyone knows that so you are bound to be sharing the roads with quite a few of them). Winona is not a hotbed of culinary wonders. La Crosse has more options. Both towns have an astonishing number of bars. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 8:14 AM, Tim McNamara tim...@bitstream.net wrote: Winona is not a hotbed of culinary wonders. La Crosse has more options. Both towns have an astonishing number of bars. True, but I should mention that Red Wing, from whence many of these rides start, has the excellent Norton's restaurant downtown, run by Greg Norton (for the Husker Du fans on the list). Top-notch food and wine list. -- Bill Connell St. Paul, MN -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
Well, depending on work load, I just might take up Jim's offer. It is an easy Amtrak ride from Chicago to Minneapolis. That is beautiful country. As for restaurant - I know there are some good choices in small town Midwest. There is just no comparing what you can find in Northern Cali. I did some riding in Sonoma a few years back. I would have to dig up my file to confirm the towns, but recall at least three different nights in podunk looking places that nevertheless had amazing little restaurants every bit as good or better than in Chicago hot spots. As for coffee, almost like travelling in Brasil - wherever I stopped, it was good. Get too far outside of the Midwest urban centers and coffee drinkers are pretty much divided among the let's go to Starbucks and the why would anyone pay more than a quarter for coffe crowd. The concept of independent roasters making quality joe has barely reached our hinterlands. On Apr 2, 9:38 am, Shaun Meehan meehan.sh...@gmail.com wrote: On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 7:35 AM, Bruce fullylug...@yahoo.com wrote: Jim: Very nice bar tape and like the matching fenders in this panda shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twowheelflight/4483478454/in/set-7215762... The rider on the black Trek looks a touch stretched out. You need to get him on a Riv... The guy on the black Trek (Rob) did remark that his arms and shoulders were tired at one point. But that guy was a machine! He was the first to the top of about every climb, and he was on a 3 spd. Several of those climbs had me in my small chainring and I have a triple. I couldn't believe that guy! Shaun Meehan -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Our own Walnut Creek
No offense to the folks in Iowa. I love the state and the people. Indeed. There are not a whole lot of them, but the people you meet riding in Iowa - and S'Eastern Minnesota, tend to be very open and friendly. And I'm sure you can find good coffee in Iowa too. Maybe. Perhaps if the cornfields whisper: 'If you brew it, they will come.' On Apr 2, 10:18 am, Shaun Meehan meehan.sh...@gmail.com wrote: On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 9:50 AM, JoelMatthews joelmatth...@mac.com wrote: As for coffee, almost like travelling in Brasil - wherever I stopped, it was good. Get too far outside of the Midwest urban centers and coffee drinkers are pretty much divided among the let's go to Starbucks and the why would anyone pay more than a quarter for coffe crowd. The concept of independent roasters making quality joe has barely reached our hinterlands. Both of my parents were born and raised in Iowa. So I grew-up thinking that what I now refer to as Iowa coffee was the norm. By this I mean something that's approximately the color of weak tea and occasionally served chunky style (unintentionally I presume). No offense to the folks in Iowa. I love the state and the people. Just not the coffee. And I'm sure you can find good coffee in Iowa too. Maybe. Shaun Meehan P.S. Cyclones Hawkeyes! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
