The High Bridge

I have re-discovered my bike this summer. I grew up on a cul-de-sac and was on my two wheeler by age three (or so the story is told). I loved my bike - it was the gateway to the world and it was AWESOME.

A few years ago I got my first real, adult bike. Calhoun started road racing in college and has worked part time at the best bike shop in the city throughout graduate school. Not only has his part time job fed his cycling habit, it also resulted in an awesome discount that allowed me to purchase a great road bike, Jamis, a few years ago.

Jamis, isn't she beautiful?

Although I've had Jamis for a few years I don't feel like I've really earned the bike. But this summer - this summer is different. I'm spending more time on my bike, I'm enjoying the work, the speed, the sweat and riding with no hands!

Not only am I riding to my bar exam prep class about half of the time (depends on how late I've ben up the night before) but I've also hustled Calhoun into a few long rides with me. Because my bike ride takes me straight up the Marshall Hill on Marshall Avenue, I am never eager for more climbs. But, Sunday after work Calhoun and I headed out for a ride from the shop that took us up the High Bridge in St. Paul. It's the first time I've ever ridden the high bridge and although I took it slow, I feel as though I have triumphed.

The underside of the High Bridge from the southeast side of the river,

with the State Capitol in the background

The great news about riding up is that the rest of the way is down, and our ride back home was great and had some great views!

A flooded part of the bike path

The view of St. Paul from the Mendota Bridge

Minneapolis: Over-Geared and Under-Skilled

I love Minneapolis and its enthusiasm for all things outdoor and active. There are so many trails and paths, parks and roads that are perfect for the novice or expert rider. Not to mention, there are great gear shops all over the cities. Great places to find something specialty, custom, pink or just plain unnecessary for your work out adventures.

Now, generally I like to keep this blog a pretty positive place, about all great things Minnesotan. However, I must point out, that with all of its great outdoor spaces and equipment access for the common man (or woman), Minneapolites are frequently Over-Geared and Under-Skilled. We live near West River Parkway ("The River Road") and took a drive along it yesterday on our way back from Midwest Mounaineering (we were shopping for canoe gear). The River Road is amazing, and Calhoun and I often marvel at the fact that so much amazing riverfront property is available to the public and not limited to the super-wealthy. The River Road is a two lane road, flanked by a large bike path, a running path through the median, a sidewalk on the other side and trails down to the river all along the pathway. The paths and roads have been recently updated so it's a great place to ride and it's generally more scenic that running through a neighborhood, not to mention The River Road is similar to Lake Calhoun and is a place to go to see and be seen when working out.

Yesterday on our drive home we spotted a ton of Minneapolis Duathlon jerseys on riders along The River Road. The Duathlon doesn't happen until the end of August, but I guess people are sporting their jerseys and practicing on the route, which is 18 miles of The River Road. So, in addition to all of the see-and-be-seen-ers, there were a lot of people out training for the upcoming race. Kudos to them, I am way to much of a slacker to criticize someone for wanting to get out there and train for physical fitness, good for you!

But, Calhoun works part time at a local cycling gear shop and is a cycling, equipment, running, technique, let-me-calculate-your-gear-ratios guru. And because he sells them, he can spot a bike $3,000 bike from thirty feet away.

So, point of the story. We're driving along The River Road, people are sporting their duathlon jerseys and we ride up behind a trio of people who take their sweet time making a right turn on the same street we're trying to right turn on. When they finally turn, the do a U-Turnto re-evaluate their training route. And some lady, on a $3,000 bike, takes a hard knee into the pavement because she can't get her clips out of her pedal. Over-geared, under-skilled.

Powdered Sugar Goodness

Went to church this morning. We have a neighborhood Lutheran church that we love and we've been going since we got married nine months ago. The music is wonderful and the preaching is very good - but our attendance has dropped a bit this summer. We went this morning with a friend who is church shopping and felt a little less guilty when we got there and realized that we aren't the only people who find it more difficult to get up and attend during the summer. Despite the smaller attendance - we were at the early service - I left feeling wonderful and refreshed.

And then we went to A Baker's Wife (4200 28th Ave, Minneapolis) for pastries.


I love this place. One of the reasons I love it because it's a very no-nonsense kind of establishment. There are a few tables outside on the sidewalk and about six chairs inside but it's mostly the kind of place where you go to pick up a half dozen pastries for $10 and then walk around the lake and enjoy the crispy, buttery, fruity, chocolate goodness. The line usually loops around once inside the shop, and in a very non-Minnesota way you find yourself yelling across people around you to place your order.

Another reason I love it is because selection and quality of the pastries is wonderful. The pastries are large, and there's not question that all parties benefit from sharing. They have a great combination of fruity and sweet pastries. This morning I had a blueberry cream cheese turnover and Calhoun had a chocolate croissant. Not to mention they have the best donuts in the cities...doughy deep fried frosting covered goodness. And, it's an old-school bakery that rewards the early riser, their legendary ham and cheese croissants were gone by the time we arrived about 10 am.

And, they have this cow statue outside. How could you not love this place?!

Then, to work off the blueberry cream cheese turnover I went on a ride with Uptown. She's training for a triathlon and totally kicked my butt, but it was fun to get out on the trails and see all kinds of people enjoying the Minnesota weather, just like we were!