Return trip can take Hennepin (has bike lanes that run in both directions).  Lanes terminate around Washington Av so will have to merge into traffic.  Can take Hennepin to 11th St to get back to Cedar Lake trail.

The SW LRT trail is compacted gravel trail which can be ridden on with a skinny tire as the gravel is not usually deep.  The trail starts off of Flying Cloud Blvd and the entrance is not very obvious.