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Top Spots: Minneapolis Bike Routes

During Meet Minneapolis's own version of "The Biggest Loser," Executive Assistant Sylvia Olson pedaled her way across Minneapolis-Saint Paul, dropping 18% of her entire body weight! Here are Sylvia's bike rides that will make you fall in love with Minneapolis:

Midtown Greenway

This 6-mile recreational trail connects to the West River Parkway trail. Along the way, shop at the Midtown Global Market, an internationally themed food market with 50 independent, locally-owned businesses.

Cedar Lake Trail

America's first bike freeway features two separate one-way lanes for bike traffic and one two-way lane for pedestrian traffic. It follows the BNSF Railway line out of downtown Minneapolis. Stop for a picnic at Brownie Lake.

Round trip: Kenilworth corridor to Lake Harriet

This corridor will take you from Lake of the Isles to Cedar Lake, where you can veer off towards Lake Harriet. But, take a pit stop in Uptown at Figlio's for Sunday brunch; it offers up some of the best people-watching

Historic Fort Snelling to Minnehaha Falls

Before your ride, explore the 1820s military outpost, then make your way to beautiful Minnehaha Park. Enjoy your accomplishment by listening to a concert in the bandshell and soaking in the majestic Minnehaha Falls.

West or East River Parkway

This breathtaking stretch is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway (one of only two national scenic byways in an urban environment). It offers ever-changing photo opportunities of the Mississippi River.

Theodore Wirth Parkway

These four miles of paths are located within the city's largest regional park. There are more golfers in Minnesota than anywhere in the country—stop for a round at the Parkway's 18-hole, par 3 course.

Main Street to Saint Anthony Parkway

Wind your way through the birthplace of Minneapolis, nestled along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. Stop on the Stone Arch Bridge to look at St. Anthony Falls—the waterfall that made Minneapolis the milling capital of the world for 50 years.

Round Trip: Lake Harriet along Minnehaha Creek & Lake Hiawatha

Start at Lake Harriet—part of the city's Chain of Lakes—enjoying a bandshell concert or watching four-legged friends frolic in the dog park. Ride along Minnehaha Creek, waving at the canoe riders along the way, then head to Lake Hiawatha for the final stretch of your ride.

Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha

Ride the paths along two more of the city's 22 urban lakes. To celebrate all your exercising, reward yourself with a stop at Mel-O-Glaze Bakery, purveyors of what City Pages calls the metro's best doughnuts.

Veterans Memorial Parkway

Along the way, stop to read the plaques at the foot of trees planted to commemorate Minnesota's veterans.