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3. 2 consice tally of Lead riders tcbcMarch 8 2017 Scandia as Cyclist Destination Tally of comments (Dec 2016) from TCBC four "leads "who lead rides through Scandia 8 total Bathroom facilities: 6-------- Very important Bone Lake could use a porta potty. Do not know about restrooms at the Community Center and not sure if I know where it is. Not sure if polite for us to use the bathrooms given not everyone was buying. Is there a nearby city park with public facilities? When riding in groups, multiple unisex type restrooms would be very much appreciated. Did not know there were restrooms down the hill at Community Center. The primary need to enhance cycling experience in Scandia is a reliable place to use bathroom and get water. I've been an active TCBC member for several decades. For many years we often came to Scandia and stopped at the general store, used the bathroom, often bought food and drinks. Now the general store no longer allows public access to its bathroom. Which is their right. But it makes the idea of taking a rest break in Scandia much less appealing. We could try to remember to go to the gas station on the highway, but habit still brings us to general store. Having a public bathroom and water source would be great, especially if advertised! First and foremost is availability of drinking water and bathrooms which need to be available both during the day and early eve. Both weekdays and weekends. Many from the Twin Cities make the drive to Sandia on the weekend so facilities need to accessible then. Public restrooms with water. Water: 5 ------- Very important. Most all of us carry water or a sports drink, however a place refill water bottles would be helpful The primary need to enhance cycling experience in Scandia is a reliable place to use bathroom and get water. Water need to be available both during the day and early eve. Both weekdays and weekends. Many from the Twin Cities make the ride to Sandia on the weekend so facilities need to be accessible then. Food and beverage are desirable but water is critical. Public restrooms with water. Places to eat is nice (on map?) but not a priority Snacks and beverages. What the convenience store has provided with home made sandwiches and beverage selections has been fantastic. The restaurant next door seats bicyclists, but I am not sure how aware bikers are of the restaurant/bar down the road. Promote eating places for after events or along the way. We like the bananas, power bars, ice cream and water at Scandia Market and the coffee and pastries at Scandia Care. 3----- Snacks (Scandia market and Mercantile) Energy bars Meal at restaurant that has outdoor seating like the Scandia Cafe. (I like to keep an eye on my bike even in safe towns like Scandia. Most cyclists carry cash for food and beverages purchases. Food and beverage are desirable. Cash credit/card: 3------ Bike riders will carry a little bit of cash. 6------ But mostly would have a credit card. Typically most people tell me that bike riders don't spend much money - they are beer, coffee snobs. A lot of us did not have cash so the credit card minimum at the Market and Cafe probably limited some of us from buying. Not much demand for an ATM except near places that require a minimum purchase to use a credit card. 2 Cyclist emergency eq: 2----- More and more bike friendly communities have a fix -it station with tools to fix your bike 2----- A pump There is a company that produces an all in one air pump and tool -kit that are appearing more often in the Twin Cities. This in combination with bike racks signals a place is bike friendly. Most club riders are self sufficient and have all the parts and tools necessary to repair the most common problems. (tires, flats, broken chain) likely to be encountered so it would be rare to need tools or a bike shop. 2----- A bike shop with a mechanic would be appreciates. Maps: There are some simple bike repair stations along many of the Three Rivers Park District bike paths. Something of that type would be helpful. Some bike shops like Trailhead in Champlin sponsor these. A bike shop even better. We usually stop at the general store and if they could stock some common size bike tubes and possibly some CO2 cartridges for bikers who have had flats a long way from home — would be good. Differentiate the roads and bike paths (maybe hashed versus solid lines) Having a map with various routes or interest and their mileage and sightseeing options is a great idea It would be good to have paper map options that could be taken on the bike as well as a general sign. Different mileages from 5 — 25 mile loops. After water and rest rooms I'd say the second item that would most encourage cyclists would be maps of the overall area with your "signed" routes highlighted. A large scale map posted at the general store intersection would be best, but smaller printed maps of the same that riders could carry with them would be incredibly beneficial as well. (Even if a slight charge for the personal map was needed.) No need to post maps of the area around Scandia for recreational club riders. We are very familiar with the beautiful roads and scenery in your area and that's why you see us there so often. Posting on Ride with GPS or Map My Ride would also help. 3 Rent a bike: Having the opportunity to rent a bike or nice ride. https://www.niceridemn.org/explore_by_bike/ Airbnb -- B&B or camp at O'Brien I would think that your bikers would be there for the day but if they did stay overnight they'd be at the campground at O'Brien or Interstate Park. Of those who stayed overnight were looking for unique accommodations like Dunrovin or to do other things like tour Dancing Dragonfly Winery. Should help promote Scandia as an overnight bike starting point. A bike B&B? — Perhaps If out of town people were attracted. Lanesboro and Peterson have B&B along the Root River Trail. A B&B is a fabulous idea that I hadn't thought of, and might encourage tourism. Promotions: Make sure you promote your great trails with the FAT CAT Tri, Tour de Hugo and the Ironman bike rides. Put your bike trail map in their "check in" packets! Ask businesses to offer bike racks. Become a bike friendly community thru the MN Bike Alliance- www.bikemn.org. Maybe talk about the trails a bit more — hilly, flat, run, scenic„ residential, country etc. Highlight- ad Gammelgarden, the cemetery, the church etc. (the signage at Gammelgarden is good) History — especially about the Swedish horses (maybe even mark them on the map). Promote Gammelgarden and other sightseeing in the immediate area. Cemetery? Natural scenic features historic structures, farms, church. Routes to nearby locations like Marine, Osceola or Stillwater. Perhaps having a pickup service so rider needs to go only one way and is delivered back to Scandia. This appeals to a different rider that those you probably have noticed hanging out at the store. Your area is idyllic for bike rides with its low traffic, scenic roads. I'd love to see more rides in the area, and feel that lack of services and the drive time are deterring factors (in that order). As a longtime TCBC (Twin Cities Bicycling Club) leader, I've been leading rides out of Hudson for many years. It has now caught 0 on with other leaders as well. It took a short while for our fellow Twin City residents to realize that the drive (to Hudson by car) isn't as daunting as they thought, and that there are fabulous routes available, plus sufficient water & food. Although Scandia is further away than Hudson, you are close enough to become equally popular. THANKS for showing such interest. (SB) Scandia is a beautiful area, and offers some wonderful roads & scenery. Although a further drive from St. Paul than Hudson, I'm confident that many would make the drive, if routes and facilities were made available. Both areas off quiet, scenic country riding with rolling terrain. A WELCOME CYCLIST WEB PAGE: Information for those who wish to plan a ride using Scandia as a waypoint or destination. Include store/bar hours and credit policies. Public restroom/water hours. Map of stores, hotel attractions, public rest rooms, parking. Etc. Legal day and overnight parking spots. A plaque and permanent floor pump maybe by the Scandia market and/or in a park near a restroom with a map reflecting the web page information. Cyclist well be attracted to sit-down restaurants/bars that advertise large craft beer menus and a secure place to keep their bike. Regarding the Gammelgarden and the farmers market. I am personally unlikely to stop or to purchase anything because I have no means to carry them. If something catches my eye as I ride by I sometimes will go back with car with my wife on another day. Visiting Gammelgarden or Farmers Market? Maybe! know of a winery in Waconia that will do the same, ship wine to metro locations. Headqtrs In town (Location) 1. That corner (the Scandia Mercantile Store) is the obvious place to hang out, regroup, meet and park. 2. The table out front makes a great gathering place. Its also a destination where riders at different speeds can meet up and regroup. The location is obvious near food and bathrooms. Notes: Added by cyclists I hope you don't mind, I forwarded your request to Helen Bell from Lifetime Fitness. They run 2 rides from their White Bear club through Scandia every Saturday in the summer. Typically 30 or 40 riders. We love riding there and there are just a couple things that would make it even better. We've always found Scandia to be very biker friendly! (listed in previous categories- free bathroom — water- repair station — bike tubes- co2) First, I want you to know what kind of rider I am. I am a recreational rider. (I belong to three clubs including the Twin Cities Bicycling Club) We tend to ride 30 to +50 mile routes on ridiculously expensive light weight bicycles. We do not 5 carry bike locks (too heavy) and our bikes do not have kick stands (that's why you see them leaned against buildings). Janie Ideas: Overnight tent in O'Brien: Rent a tent with breakfast option. A small business opportunity. Delivery service for purchases at Gammelgarden and/or Farmers Market. Interp. signage along city roads with narrative of what you are looking at. Could go to Llama farm and or/goat farm and barn quilt route, Swedish monument.