4754 Upton to Lake City

First leg of our 2010 bike tour, en route to SAGBRAW

West 160th Street through Rosemount is gravel, and rather slow going. It is to be paved as the University of Minnesota establishes a more active presence, so may be nice, fresh pavement in 2011.

The segment of 145th that is the continuation of Ravenna Trail (just noth of Highway 61) was for much of its length unpaved; it was rough going for a tour-loaded tandem trike, and might be all but impassable after a rainstorm. The Cannon Valley Trail segment (Welch to Red Wing) requires a trail pass, but is paved and quite pretty. Highway 61 is moderately busy, but has a good, wide shoulder.