BIKINGTRAILS

Enjoythe freedom of avarietyof open roads

News Tribune

The wind in your face, the sun on your back. The whir of wheels and clicking of gears. Bicyclists experiencea freedom that few other travelers experience. The open air. The calming quiet. Whooshing past walkers, hikers, runners. Turning off the road, leaving cars behind. Here are 10 bike trails whereyou can live the adventure.

1. Munger Trail

The Duluth-to-Carlton-to-Hinckley trail is one of the more popular trails in the Northland. Wide, paved trails attract bikers, runners, walkers and inline skaters.

Rating: Easy to moderate. The climb out of Duluth is long but gradual. There are some rolling hills. Youcan ride the entire 150-mile round trip or just try a short stretch.

Highlights: The trail winds along the bed of an old railway,offering views of the Duluth-Superior Harbor,St. Louis River,bridgecrossings, bluffs and forests. There’snomotor vehicle traffic.

Cautions: Because the trail is often populated with adiv group of users, beware of the traffic, and announce yourself when you’re passing.

2. North Shore Scenic Highway

It’sasmooth ride along Scenic Minnesota Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors, directly along the shore of Lake Superior

Rating: Easy to moderate (wind conditions can make things more difficult).

Highlights: Enjoy Lake Superiorinvarious river crossings nearly all the way to TwoHarbors.

It’salongride (21 miles one way,) but ambitious riders can do it in aday if they hustle.

Cautions: There’shightraffic volume in the summer.Watch out for recreation vehicles and trailer traffic —they have less room to pass bicyclists, and sometimes think they’ve passed you before they actually have.

3. Duluth Lakewalk

Perhaps the area’smostvisible bike path, the Lakewalk runs nearly 8miles from Canal Park to Brighton Beach.

Rating: Easy.There are several hills, but even more long, flat stretches.

Highlights: Because it’sonlyfeet from the shore of Lake Superior,the Lakewalk features great views of the lake. See the city and ship traffic, and the features of Canal Park. There’snomotor vehicle traffic to contend with, but other users (walkers, runners, dog owners and inline skaters) are aconcern.

Cautions: Congestion is the real issue. It requiresbicyclists to be sensitive to others, especially young children and pets, as they’re unpredictable. Take it slow

4. Skyline Drive

As long as the city of Duluth itself, the road stretches along the hilltop from end to end. Its views of Lake Superior, as well as urban and natural parts of the city are some of the best (and highest) around.

Rating: Easy to moderate in difficulty with average to poor pavement conditions.Again, pick your length.

Highlights: The views and low traffic volume are too big bonuses.

Cautions: Despite its lighter traffic flows, beware of any car along Skyline. There’sa good chance they’re looking at the view and not at you.

5. Seven Bridges Road

This somewhat challengingride gives bicyclists alookatthe most eastern part of Duluth. It feels like it’salot fartherout of the city than it really is.

Rating: Moderate to difficult. There are some pretty big hills with some bumpy pavement. It’sa smoother ride on the way up, but be careful coming down —itcan be bone-jarring.

Highlights:Agreat view ofAmity Creek and afair amount of solitude.

Cautions: Watch that descent, and stay in control

6. Minnesota Point /Park Point

MinnesotaAvenue runs about four miles from theAerial Lift Bridge to the tip of the point.

Rating: Easy.Couldn’t be any flatter Occasional strong winds can make pedaling difficult one way and abreeze theother

Highlights: Park Point Recreation Area is aniceplace to unwindonce you’re there. The park has soccer fields, volleyball courts and aplayground plus great access to the sandy beach along Lake Superior.

Cautions: Bicyclists share asingle shoulder with skaters, joggers and walkers, so things can get alittle cramped. Traffic can also be heavy at times.

7. Martin Road to Pike Lake

It’salongerride starting from Jean Duluth Road and hits adeadend at the beach on Pike Lake.

Rating: Difficult climbing at times. It can be 10 to 15 miles one way to the beach depending on whereyou start.

Highlights: There’sa nice shoulder to keep you out of what little traffic there might be. Plus, once you get to the beach, you can cool offwith aswim or stretch out in the sand.

Cautions: This ride is generally more fun for the moderately trained rider who’s not afraid to stand up in the pedalsand crank on some hills.

8.

Becks Road

In Gary-New Duluth there’satough but rewarding ride. Take GrandAvenue to Becks, which runs west. That’swhere the hill and the challenge begin.

Rating: Moderate to difficult. Becks is agoodhillclimb. Follow it up to the St. Louis River Road and back for about a 14-mile trip.

Highlights: There are quiet roads and panoramic views of the most western portions of Duluth and the St. Louis River

Cautions: Don’t bite offmorethan you can chew.Beready to work a little harder on this ride.

9. Lester River Road

This is perhapsthe biggest hill in the city.It’sanearlysteady climb for 2miles. Once at the top, you can hit Strand Road and then take Jean Duluth Road back into town.

Rating: Difficult up the Lester River Road but gentler near the top.

Highlights: With relativelylittle traffic, the Lester River Road has views of the Lester River and Lake Superior near the top.

Cautions: Mind the steep hills, and pace yourself during the climb.

10. Amity Trail near Hawk Ridge

Youcan catch the trail near the intersection of Skyline Parkway and Seven Bridges Road. The trail, which crosses two old bridges, runs through some of the highest terrain in Duluth.

Rating: Easy to moderate difficulty because of the rolling hills and gravel.

Highlights: It’sarelatively untraveled part of the city and offers afair amount of peace and quiet.

Cautions: It is open to people on horseback, and the etiquette if you are on abike and horses approach is to stop and get offyour bike and wait for them to pass. Horses are easily spooked by bikes.

Safety First

Whether you’re taking offonafull-day bicycle trek or an afternoon jaunt, there are some things you just can’t do without: Ahelmet. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for good head gear Lights. Aflashing red tail light and awhite headlight go along way to increasing the visibility of aperson on abike to a motorist, even in the day.Abasic set starts at about $30. Tools. Spare inner tubes, tire levers to get the tire offand on and aportable tire pump. Asmall Allen wrench also comes in handy Warm clothes. Awindbreaker does wonders when the weather turns chilly Water Replenishing fluids is important. Don’t wait until you’re already dehydrated to take notice. Sunscreen. The back of your neck will thank you. Food. Any candy bar will do for a quick snack. But don’t hesitate to pack alunch. Money. Whether it’sfor some cool drinks, film or dinner,money comes in handy even when you’re trying to get away from it all.