This year there are 5 Bike and Bird Sunday morning trips (June 8, June 15, June 22, July 13, July 27) – All are led by Sherry Gray
380 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul, MN 55107
Sunday, June 22, 8:00 AM to Noon
Discover the fun of birding from a bicycle along the Mississippi River, riding from the Saint Paul Airport past the Pigs Eye Island SNA Heron Rookery to Kaposia Landing (2.6 miles one way) and the Rock Island Swing Bridge (7.8 mi, one way), visiting prime birding locations for Ramsey and Dakota Counties. Landscape is urban, following both the big river and train tracks from Saint Paul to South Saint Paul, with wetlands at the start (near the airport) and small wooded areas along the way. Some riders may want to do a full day ride continuing to Hastings, including biking through Spring Lake Park. We will stop at the Swing Bridge for a picnic lunch.
LOCATION See trail map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DrPc80Yv-w4WpsSQhy9GxWkOmL6sWQBu/view
DIRECTIONS We will start at Runway 52 · 380 E Lafayette Frontage Rd, St Paul, MN 55107. (44.93600871167755, -93.0719683383748) If you do not want to bicycle the return from Rock Island Swing Bridge, you will need to arrive at parking area 30 minutes earlier (arrange with ride leader) to shuttle cars.
INFORMATION Bring bicycle, helmet with sun visor, binoculars, sunscreen, snacks and water. Scope is optional but could be useful for locating birds on Pigs Eye Island across the river. Leader will bring a scope and first aid kit. If you are riding to the Swing Bridge, bring your lunch (or group might decide to eat at the nearby marina restaurant).
REGISTRATION Required and limited to 8 participants. Contact: sherrygray@yahoo.com to register. Participants will be asked to sign a liability release form at the start of the trip.
DIFFICULTY Easy. Some side trails might have hills, but route is mostly river levee flat. [Optional route to Hastings/Spring Lake Park is hilly and might include a few blocks of on-road riding] As group will hear and see many birds, riding pace is relaxed. Birders and bicyclists of all levels, including newbies, very welcome to join.
LEADER Sherry Gray sherrygray@yahoo.com
