Air quality alert through Friday ~11 AM: wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota has the Twin Cities in the red, "unhealthy" range (AQI ~151 Wednesday), with more smoke waves possible Thursday into Friday morning. For the rides: check AirNow before rolling — orange means keep it easy, red means go short or skip. Everyone should dial back hard outdoor efforts while the alert is on. Source: MPCA air quality forecast.
Still hot and sunny most of the week — shade and evenings are the play, and Monday night finally cools off. Forecast + air quality pulled Wed 7/15 from the National Weather Service and MPCA; latest forecast here.
Today & Ahead
WednesdayJuly 15Neighborhood day
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9:00 AM · Morning ride from the front door — Minnehaha Creek → river gorge loop · Route on KomootPlan
About an hour to an hour and a half; shaded nearly the whole way. One creek bridge is closed with a posted bike detour
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Joe's afternoon — client at noon, then Andraya's ride to workJoe only
The noon start takes the pressure off the afternoon. John's part: pick Joe up at Sencha around 3:00.
Bike roll-up, dinner from the vendors, sometimes live music
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Evening: Star of the North Concert Band at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, 7:30 PM, freeOption
Bring the blanket — there are benches up front but they fill before showtime, and the lawn is where everyone sits. No bikes tonight: drive the Escape (~15 min; the bandshell lots fill, so park the side streets off Upton/Queen and walk in) or a rideshare drops right at the door. Ice cream at Bread & Pickle next to the stage
92 years of small-town parade on Mainstreet, ~25 min west; pairs fine with the morning boat races
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Or a lazy lake loop and a patioOption
MondayJuly 20The big ride
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Brown's Creek + Gateway Trail from Stillwater (~20 miles)Option
Coolest day of the week; shaded rail-trail along a trout stream and the St. Croix, with downtown Stillwater to poke around after. Want to try an e-bike? Herman's (at Greenbridge Coffee on Main St) rents them right by the trailhead
Car back to Cottage Grove — 7400 Iden Ave S, morningTiming TBC
Return's booked for 10:00 AM but the flight's at 10:14 — checking with the host about an early drop (~7:40) + rideshare to MSP
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Fly home: UA 1637 departs MSP 10:14 AMSet
The Trail So Far
TuesdayJuly 14Arrival day
Day one, done. John's in town, and the night closed out with dinner at Heather's — a good meal in the neighborhood. No pictures tonight; the camera comes out tomorrow.