Originally Posted by medicinhed
Hey all,
I'm relocating from Seattle to MPLS this summer for grad school.
Any tips, recommendations, etc?
Is there a big bicycle culture there?
Yup, tons of bikers everywhere.
Originally Posted by medicinhed
Do drivers share the road?
Most of the ones I see do. They're used to seeing bikes, and there are bike lanes on a lot of streets. I don't encounter agro drivers very often.
Originally Posted by medicinhed
Good LBSs? Recomendations?
OneOnOne is the best shop on the planet IMO. They did an emergency wheel true for me while I waited a few weeks back and only charged me $8!
The Hub is pretty cool, too. There's also
Freewheel Bikes and
Kenwood Cyclery. There are a ton more, but those are the ones I go to the most.
Originally Posted by medicinhed
What is it like in winter? Can I use my fixie (42:16) or should I convert my mtn to a SS and go super low gearing?
Cold and wind are your main enemies in the winter. They're pretty good about plowing at least the main streets right after it snows. I did this winter on 700x23c slicks...
Originally Posted by medicinhed
Off-topic:
Any cool neighborhood tips? I'm looking for an artist live/work studio as well. If anyone knows anything about the art community there that would be a HUGE help.
Since you're going to be going to school in St. Paul, I'd probably look for a studio there as others have suggested. I don't spend much time over there, but it seems like a more laid back city.
Originally Posted by medicinhed
Mess gigs? I'll be going to school in St. Paul and a friend from there mentioned Metro Legal? What are the working conditions like? Are you 1099 or W2?
I don't know the specifics on working conditions, but it's pretty hard to get a gig doing it. Too many messengers for the amount of work, so they pretty much keep people out.
Anyways, yeah, it's a great town for bikes. There are paths/lanes all over the place, and even where there aren't lanes most of the roads are pretty safe and the drivers OK. It's also really flat, which is great if you're riding a fix.