I took my usual 'first day of spring' ride down the MUP to see how it was, and it was much as you described: Crowded.
The thing that really stuck in my mind was the number of recumbent trikes out today. In the 6 mile stretch from Wilmot Gateway to 90th St, I must have seen 5 'bent trikers out there.
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.