Aug 1, 201112:02 AMThe Bucket List
No-Name Bike Trail
Bailey Leveille
It began with 92 degrees—92 degrees and rising—92 degrees, rising temperatures, and me, who stays in Duluth because I like the cold weather—92 degrees, rising temperatures, me, and a van with no air conditioning: not good. This was the situation I found myself in while trying to make it up the shore for my cousin’s baby shower. Thankfully, I was able to carpool in a vehicle whose air conditioning is up to competing with the heat. We parked my van behind the Holiday gas station at the intersection of London Road and I-35. This is where I saw it for the first time—the no-name smooth-paved bike trail.
I don’t care for the heat but I am thankful for what it led me to discover. Since marking it in my memory that day, I have made it back to the mysterious bike trail three times. The fully paved trail is new, in my estimation, for it does not bear the wear and tear of Duluth winters. There are no cracks, no bumps, and no weeds springing up through the pavement. It is a little over 3 miles one way and it is also almost completely (pardon the oxymoron) flat! Amazing! I can hardly believe I’ve never come across this trail sooner!
The trail starts at the parking lot which can be reached by turning onto Alexander Street off of S 26th Ave E. The trail then runs downhill before it levels out alongside the North Shore Scenic Railroad. With the tracks to the right, you’ll pass a few backyards on your left before it opens up into an East Duluth district: cafés, grocery store, gas stations, businesses—you know the drill. This trail is ideal for a novice rollerblader or biker . . . almost.
Though the trail is beautiful and smooth, I discovered one major hiccup when I strapped my rollerblades on for the ride. Before it ends just after S 61st Ave E, the trail crosses about 13 streets! Now normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but at each crossing someone decided to put in these 1.5x3 foot sections of bumpy pavement! I’ve been rollerblading for years and I’ve never had more waving-arms-as-I-pitch-forward moments than on this no-name trail. I didn’t biff it; however, I did provide some entertainment for fellow trail travelers and the cars driving by who were privileged to witness my near face-plants.
Despite the one major inconvenience, the trail is awesome and I enjoy the route—waving to the passengers aboard the passing train, looking at the brightly-colored wild flowers growing along the fence, smelling that fresh Lake Superior air…mmm. Once you park beside Holiday, this no name trail is the one that goes off to the left. To the right, well, that’s another pathway I’ll explore next time!
