Last weekend I participated in my first RUSA Populaire, the Mini City Slickers 125k. The event closely followed the route I rode in 2018 for the ACP brevet with the same name (minus the 'Mini'). The shorter distance was ideal as April proved to be a horrible month for training, plus there were planned activities later in the day that necessitated I be off the bike by mid-afternoon.
About 25 riders arrived at the East Lake St. Dunn's Brothers for the start of the ride. The weather was fantastic, with clear skies and a light wind from the southeast. Following a group photo (the first for the Minnesota Randonneurs since 2019) we were off, heading south along roads and trails running parallel to the Mississippi River.
(A great morning for a ride)
(Randonneuring again!)
(Trails next to rivers... ...a common theme on this route)
(A short stretch of gravel on the way to Afton)
(River Road to the west of St. Croix River after an exhilarating descent)
(A wonderful bike/ped bridge heading into Stillwater)
(Heading north on Brown's Creek State Trail)
(On the way to North St. Paul on the Gateway State Trail)
(Bumpy trails loosened a fender attachment. All fixed following a quick stop!)
(Biking in the Como Park neighborhood)
(Crossing the Mississippi River with downtown Minneapolis in the distance)
All went well on this excellent early-season ride. I'm really happy the populaire option was available, as the shortened distance allowed for ample transition time for a return to St. Paul that evening.
(Enjoying time with Susan at Allianz Field. Go Loons!)
