Down the beaten path

By Stephen Regenold
Minneapolis Star Tribune
May 05, 2007

Thanks to urban off-road trails, riding a mountain bike in the city doesn't have to mean dodging cars and jumping curbs.

Urban mountain biking, once an underground -- and often illegal -- activity, has come into the light. Indeed, across the country, in cities from Pittsburgh to L.A., mountain biking within city limits is gaining huge momentum.

Minneapolis, under the helm of Mayor R.T. Rybak, an avid cyclist, was one of the first major metropolitan cities to sanction urban singletrack with the opening of the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail in 2004. Now, networks of singletrack trail course through preserves such as Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Powhite Park in Richmond, Va., and even under freeway viaducts in places such as Seattle.

"The face of the sport is changing," said Chris Bernhardt, a consultant with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) from Hood River, Ore. "Urban terrain is receiving more attention than traditional wilderness trails in some areas." At the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail, a couple of miles west of downtown Minneapolis, 4.36 miles of trail has been designated for the knobby-tire crowd.

Up to 200 riders might pedal Theo on a busy day, according to Shawn Sheely, president of Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates. "Theo has become many bikers' main off-road area," Sheely said. Use this guide to experience the park -- and the unique, up-and-coming sport of urban mountain biking -- on your own.

Directions

Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail is in Theodore Wirth Park near the Minneapolis/Golden Valley border. From downtown Minneapolis, drive west on Hwy. 55 to Theo Wirth Parkway. Go north or south on the parkway, leaving your car at one of the lots within the preserve. Or, ride from home. Paved biking paths connect Theo Wirth to the city's network of trails, including the 5.7-mile Midtown Greenway trail, which extends across the width of Minneapolis, linking to every neighborhood in the city.

The trail

Measuring about 4.36 miles in length, and keeping to about 18 inches wide for much of its path, the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail twists incessantly through the trees, bobbing in and out of ravines, riding ridges overlooking railroad tracks and banking curves on berms of dirt. Two main sections of the trail -- one north of the railroad tracks, and one to the south -- create distinct loops that are connected with a paved path and a gravel service road. Designed for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, the trail is not overly technical; experienced riders can complete a loop in 20 minutes. However, stunts found along the way -- including rock-strewn ramps, log pyramids and a jump made from discarded cement curbs -- provide optional challenges.

Access

Mountain biking trailheads at Theodore Wirth are adjacent to the par-3 golf course, in the north section of the park. To access the north portion of the trail, find the gated service road heading west into the woods from Theodore Wirth Parkway about one-third of a mile north of Hwy. 55. Ride this service road west about two-tenths of a mile to a major Y in the road. Head left to start of trail. For the south loop, ride to the intersection of Theodore Wirth Parkway and Hwy. 55. The trailhead is in the woods on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Trail access

To avoid collisions, and to keep trail traffic running smoothly, loops run one way at Theo. Head clockwise from any trailhead and you'll be on the right track. Sustainable trail-building methods have been used to minimize erosion and damage caused by water runoff. As such, shortcutting trails or switchbacks is prohibited. Enter and exit from trailheads or via the wide woodchip-strewn skiing/walking trail that snakes through the north loop area. Always yield to hikers.

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	Down the beaten path By Stephen Regenold Minneapolis Star Tribune May 05, 2007 Thanks to urban off-road trails, riding a mountain bike in the city doesn't have to mean dodging cars and jumping curbs. Urban mountain biking, once an underground -- and often illegal -- activity, has come into the light. Indeed, across the country, in cities from Pittsburgh to L.A., mountain biking within city limits is gaining huge momentum. Minneapolis, under the helm of Mayor R.T. Rybak, an avid cyclist, was one of the first major metropolitan cities to sanction urban singletrack with the opening of the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail in 2004. Now, networks of singletrack trail course through preserves such as Highbridge Park in Manhattan, Powhite Park in Richmond, Va., and even under freeway viaducts in places such as Seattle. "The face of the sport is changing," said Chris Bernhardt, a consultant with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) from Hood River, Ore. "Urban terrain is receiving more attention than traditional wilderness trails in some areas." At the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail, a couple of miles west of downtown Minneapolis, 4.36 miles of trail has been designated for the knobby-tire crowd. Up to 200 riders might pedal Theo on a busy day, according to Shawn Sheely, president of Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates. "Theo has become many bikers' main off-road area," Sheely said. Use this guide to experience the park -- and the unique, up-and-coming sport of urban mountain biking -- on your own. Directions Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail is in Theodore Wirth Park near the Minneapolis/Golden Valley border. From downtown Minneapolis, drive west on Hwy. 55 to Theo Wirth Parkway. Go north or south on the parkway, leaving your car at one of the lots within the preserve. Or, ride from home. Paved biking paths connect Theo Wirth to the city's network of trails, including the 5.7-mile Midtown Greenway trail, which extends across the width of Minneapolis, linking to every neighborhood in the city. The trail Measuring about 4.36 miles in length, and keeping to about 18 inches wide for much of its path, the Theodore Wirth Off-Road Cycling Trail twists incessantly through the trees, bobbing in and out of ravines, riding ridges overlooking railroad tracks and banking curves on berms of dirt. Two main sections of the trail -- one north of the railroad tracks, and one to the south -- create distinct loops that are connected with a paved path and a gravel service road. Designed for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, the trail is not overly technical; experienced riders can complete a loop in 20 minutes. However, stunts found along the way -- including rock-strewn ramps, log pyramids and a jump made from discarded cement curbs -- provide optional challenges. Access Mountain biking trailheads at Theodore Wirth are adjacent to the par-3 golf course, in the north section of the park. To access the north portion of the trail, find the gated service road heading west into the woods from Theodore Wirth Parkway about one-third of a mile north of Hwy. 55. Ride this service road west about two-tenths of a mile to a major Y in the road. Head left to start of trail. For the south loop, ride to the intersection of Theodore Wirth Parkway and Hwy. 55. The trailhead is in the woods on the northwest corner of the intersection. Trail access To avoid collisions, and to keep trail traffic running smoothly, loops run one way at Theo. Head clockwise from any trailhead and you'll be on the right track. Sustainable trail-building methods have been used to minimize erosion and damage caused by water runoff. As such, shortcutting trails or switchbacks is prohibited. Enter and exit from trailheads or via the wide woodchip-strewn skiing/walking trail that snakes through the north loop area. Always yield to hikers.


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