The Howe Now Not Long Fellow Ride!

Sunday June 7, 2020

Hosts: John and Helen Mattsen

Distance: 35 miles

This route gets an A+ for being scenic and interesting. In years past, this route has been severely plagued by floods, road construction, rock slides, and has been closed off entirely for sanctioned bike criteriums and rock concerts. If this happens, we will either alter the route and/or the starting point like we did in 2019, or, it will turn into the popular Airport Extravaganza Ride that we have hosted in past years. With this ride, you’ve got to think “flexibility”.

This was previously called the “Longfellow Ride” because we ate at the Longfellow Grill. But every year they have been less than cooperative. Last year Rob and Nancy suggested that we switch to a restaurant called “the Howe”. So, it has become the Howe Now Not Longfellow Ride.

If we are lucky, this will be the route: We start at Aldine Park near Snelling and Marshall in St. Paul. Summit Avenue past the Cathedral, down through St. Paul on St. Peter Street, across the river on the Wabashaw Street Bridge, down Water Street bike trails to the yacht club, up through Mendota on the bike trail, over the Mendota Bridge to Fort Snelling, through Minnehaha Park, around the lakes, down the Midtown Greenway to the Howe Restaurant. Then it’s maybe four miles back to Aldine Park. Two of those miles I would describe as railroad grade up Marshall Hill, with an Izzy’s Ice Cream about half way up the hill. There isn’t a bad climb on the route.

No maps provided. Riders who need to be guided through the course should be able to maintain, say, 14 mph on flat terrain with no wind. However, anyone who knows the route can travel at any speed they like, and increase or decrease the distance as they please. In the past, everyone has just ridden the course together.

Meet at Aldine Park ( GPS reference 1712 Inglehart Avenue, St. Paul). Sunday June 7, 2020, 8:45 AM briefing with 9:00 AM departure. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Saturday June 6, and GIVE US YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER! Our cell phone number is 651-895-0550.

Loons Rally in Walker Minnesota 2020

June 26-28, 2020

A Loons Rally in Walker Minnesota is being planned for Friday September 7, and Saturday September 8, 2018. Folks that are interested in attending should act now to make their hotel reservations.

Lodging:
Country Inn Walker, 442 Walker Bay Blvd, Walker, MN 56484.
Phone # (218) 547-1400  https://www.walkercountryinn.com/
TCTC group rate standard room with 2 queen beds $129.00 each of two nights (Friday June 26 & Saturday June 27). This is high tourist season!

Camping:
South Pike Bay: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233134
Walt’s Hidden Acres: https://www.waltshiddenacres.com/

Rides:
Friday, June 26: Walker to Akeley. It’s an “out and back” less than 25 miles
on a bike trail through the woods. Or you can take the road. Supper at Benson’s Eating and Drinking Emporium http://bensonsemporium.com/

Saturday June 27: Akeley to Park Rapids through the woods on a great bike trail, or on the road. There are portions of this route that seem to be downhill both ways. Go figure! Less than 40 miles round trip. Those who would like to travel farther can leave from Walker and do 65 miles round trip. Those of you who wish travel a shorter distance can go from Nevis to Park Rapids (25 miles round trip).

Sunday, June 28: We move back toward the Twin Cities to Nisswa. We ride from Nisswa to Pequot Lakes. It’s less than 15 miles round trip, but just enough distance to justify eating at the two places we all like to eat at Cross Lake. That’s right! Both Rafferty’s Pizza https://raffertyspizza.com/ and The Chocolate Ox (ice cream) https://www.thechocolateox.com are at Nisswa too.
Walker, Park Rapids, and Nisswa are all idyllic, Minnesota summer tourist towns where childhood memories are made. The trails through the woods are great. There isn’t much not to like here.

Banquet:
We have hosted a “banquet” at Walker twice...both times in the off season.
Once as a “ride” with the TCTC a couple of years ago. And once with another larger group of cyclists. Both times we ate at the Lucky Moose, located right next to the hotel. The facility itself is great. They even have a nice private back room that they let us use for free. Everyone orders off the menu. But the quality of the food has been pretty ..... inconsistent. So, either we will find another place, or, get some pretty solid guarantees of satisfaction from them.

If you are planning to attend the rally:

• Make your hotel reservation! There are not a lot of rooms, so reserve early.
• After making your hotel reservation, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you are coming. You can also send rally questions to this email.
  • We will be gathering additional information from rally participants later.
• Come to the annual meeting on April 24th to hear more about the rally!