There is a child-like simplicity to an Urban Bikepacking Trip. Let’s pack our bags and see where we can go!!!!

I remember around 5th or 6th grade I was allowed to bike to my best friend’s house and then to school. I mapped it-it’s 4 miles. But on a busy rode, uphill on my Walmart bike I was grateful to have, it seemed pretty far.

Some time in middle school I biked a lot with a friend. I was fortunate enough to join her church Youth Group on a few trips I will never forget. We biked from our home town to the neighboring one on a paved path. I remember making the entire 5 mile ride with NO HANDS!!! We were free! We packed our Nature Valley Honey Oat Bars and with some water in our bottles we could go anywhere….at least to the spot where we had to check in next with our parents.

I remember being pretty young…and with my older siblings, we biked to the Conoco (do those even exist anymore?) station about 1/4 away. On the way home, my brother Nathan biked past the lot of us….passing out the Twirlers Pull and Peel we bought. A wonderful memory. I never have Twirlers without thinking about it. I can smell the ‘red’ flavor now.

Brandon had one of those suburban childhoods I like to idolize. Where your friends all live within biking distance to each other, you meet at the bottom of the hill and you have to be home when the streetlights come on. Like The Sandlot, but a totally different decade…. but I’m sure there was still some version of Wendy Peffercorn.

I can drive my car wherever I want to go….and where I can’t drive I can buy a plane ticket…..I have a passport after all.

There is still something so freeing about leaving your house, on your bike, with a few bags packed, to see how far you can go. *cue Moana*

We’ve done this trip around Lake Minnetonka 4 times now. This year felt like such a win, 17 weeks post-op from ACL surgery. In general we’ve created a life heavy on adventure, but as of late it’s been a lot more work (gotta get that PTO) PT and recovery. So a night away from home, in a tent, and under human power was life giving for us! It’s a fun trip we like to repeat, and an easy one to replicate for those who feel so inclined….

From home we bike a little over an hour at our (my) current pace-12 miles-to Wayzata. There are so many delicious places to eat there, our favorite? McCormick’s Pub. Come for the beers and stay for the burgers. Gimme a second, I’ve got some drool to deal with.

If you’ve managed to stand your ground and decline the servers offer to cap off your meal with some Irish Whisky, the ride to Spring Park is pretty cruiser. And if you haven’t declined….it’s still an easy ride.

Take the Dakota Rail Regional Trail from downtown Wayzata directly to Back Channel Brewing. This summer the Melly Colada is a bit dangerous but oh so refreshing. We caught a fundraiser party on a steamy day, complete with music, food trucks and misters on the patio.

If you plan ahead….get a crowler from Back Channel and head for a ways on the DRT and on to Carver Lake Park. There you’ll find bike-in campsites (drop in) for just $10 and a semi-secluded spot to set up your tent. The ride from the brewery to camp is a little more taxing…I don’t think it was the beers…?

They’ve got fire rings with grates and benches, posts for hammock camping, and the best part? A bin to store your food. If you haven’t read about my distaste for raccoons and our encounters with them while bike-packing….read about it here.

This year we got there while the front shack was still open and enjoyed the opportunity to buy a cold soda, and the gentleman working offered to drop firewood at the site for us. We declined this trip….it was a pretty toasty night.

A night of cribbage in the books and a simple dinner and it was early to bed for us. If you are lucky enough, you can avoid the 11pm wake up call from the married couple backing into their camp spot, with seemingly no regard for others and a propensity for yelling about the other’s driving skills. Fortunately a rare occurrence so far.

The next morning after some instant coffee and quick oatmeal, it’s a beautiful morning for a 7 mile ride directly to Excelsior on the Lake Minnetonka Trail. Take a moment to mourn the closing of Red Sauce Rebellion (RIP delicious breakfast spot) and stop at the 318 Cafe right on the trail. My latte was worth the hot coffee in July.

From Excelsior, start your trek home. For us, it’s the LRT connecting up to the Luce Line. If you’re late enough in the day you can hit one more stop for beers. Luce Line Brewing, named for its location, opens at 3pm and is closed on Mondays. But the summertime sours are pretty tasty and food trucks are frequent.

All said, each day is just under 30 miles for us. If you’re not the load up gear and sleep with several different kinds of nylon type, you can squeeze it into a robust day….just mind your water to beer ratio!

The Dakota Rail Trail and Lake Minnetonka Trail are beautiful examples of Rail to Trail conversions, read more about that initiative here, and provide stellar opportunities for viewing beautiful waterfront homes and woodland areas.

I love seeing the variety of trail users….dog walkers, cyclists and runners. Just remember to share the trail.

I hope you enjoyed reading, we had a wonderful time, no mishaps and quiet knees all around.

Remember to follow the blog if you want to read more, and as always get out there and enjoy some Days Off.