Denny's Best 25 Mile Bike Loop (Minneapolis)

For me, a summer bike ride is more about the setting than it is about the exercise. If you’re with me at all on that, this loop will quickly become one of your faves. (Plus, with this loop, you get 2 free miles: It’s actually only 23.) It takes you through some of the best places Minneapolis has to offer: The Lakes, Downtown and the Mill District, the Mississippi and Minnehaha Creek and Falls. Nearly all of it is dedicated bikeway and a fairly level grade. (Be sure to take the loop clockwise as outlined on the map. That way you will get a nice-7-mile-long-slightly-downhill run as you follow the river towards the falls.)

Google Map of Denny's Loop

Fuel Stops
 
• Start out at the Turtle Bread Company in Linden Hills: Free/easy/secure parking at a great place to get a box lunch or stop after your ride.

• Plenty of places for food and beverage along the Nicollet Mall, or take a nice break in the shade at Peavey Plaza (mile #8).

• Plan a stop at Sea Salt: Grab a bite of great food from the people that own Coastal Seafood, the area’s premier seafood distributor. They quite often have live music – and they always have Sebastian Joe’s ice cream and Surly and Summit on tap. Plus – the Minnehaha Falls are right there. (Mile #16)

Other features

• Lake Harriet Band Shell and the Bread and Pickle: Happens pretty early in the ride, but a great place to stop for a view or ice cream or ice tea. Check out the music schedule too: Band Shell Music Schedule

• If you’re new to town, you’ll want to take a picture of the famous ‘Mary Tyler-Moore house’. Just a couple of blocks off-course from the old horse-watering fountain.

• Take a picture at the ‘Dandelion’ fountain in Loring Park.

• Plan to stop and take some pictures – or at least take the time to look – around the Mill Ruins area: Stone Arch Bridge, Guthrie, St. Anthony Falls, Ruins Park, the Falls Laboratory, Gold Medal Park, Old Pillsbury ‘A’ Mill, 35W Bridge Memorial, etc.

• If you’ve got time (and want to add 2 miles) cross the river at the Northern Pacific Railroad bridge (just past the 10th Avenue bridge) follow the East River Road, take a right by Yudof Hall (just before the Medical Center) and pick up the trail at the south end of the parking lot. This way you’ll get to see the U of M campus, Weismann Museum and go on the neat river cat-walk. Cross back on the Franklin Ave. bridge.

• Consider a stop at the Lock and Dam – it’ll add 45 minutes to your trip – but it’s very cool.

• If you missed it at Sea Salt, be sure to get some Sebastian Joe’s in Linden Hills – you’ve only got another 5 blocks to go, after all!

• Clean restrooms (even though some are porta-potties) are noted along the way.

Here’s a great Google Map that shows the route and features, mile-by-mile. It should work on your smart-phone too: Google Map of Denny's Loop