Originally Posted by
mpls_commuter
I use the kenilworth trail from St. Louis Park to downtown Minneapolis and it seems that the city does a pretty good job of keeping it plowed - it's usually cleared soon after the streets are. Not much different than biking in the summer. I imagine the rest of the commuter trails around the metro are similarly maintained. It can be scary riding on the streets though.
The cold weather doesn't really trouble me - but the wind is awful! Seems a lot stronger in the winter and somehow always in my face.
I emailed a guy with the city of Mpls when the snow first started. He told me that if there's ever an issue with the plowing for the Hiawatha or Greenway trails, to contact Minneapolis Public Works (dial 311). For issues with the Kenilworth and the lake paths, contact the Minneapolis Park Board at 612-230-6400. The paths are supposed to be plowed within 24 hours after the snowfall has ended, but the guy told me it's usually way sooner than that.
I know what you mean about the winds, btw. Some of the worst winds I've ever ridden against were on that prairie stretch on the Cedar Lake/Kenilworth trail between the woods and downtown!! OMG! Also, Lake Calhoun gets pretty bad sometimes, especially on the east/southeast side(s)!!!
