Training for the Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride

Not everything is about the house. (The house disagrees.) This year I signed up for the Minnesota Ironman bike ride, one of the oldest and largest one-day rides in the state, and I've been training whenever I'm not holding a paintbrush.

What is the Minnesota Ironman bike ride?

Despite the name, it's not a triathlon. The Minnesota Ironman is a recreational ride held each spring south of the Twin Cities, with route options from a short loop up to a full 100 miles. It's famous for unpredictable April weather. Some years it's sunny. Some years it snows. Everyone gets a story.

Training on the Hiawatha bike trail

Most of my weeknight miles happen on Minneapolis's Hiawatha trail, which runs along the light rail line toward Minnehaha Park. It's flat, paved and well lit, which makes it perfect for after-work intervals. On weekends I connect it to the river roads for longer rides.

(If you're searching for the famous Route of the Hiawatha rail trail with the long tunnels and trestles, that one is out west on the Idaho-Montana border. It's on our bucket list.)

Spin class at Lifetime Fitness in Lakeville

When the weather won't cooperate, I head to the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness for spin class. Forty-five minutes of hills with loud music is the closest thing to a Minnesota spring ride you can get indoors.

Fuel: Stinger energy gel

On anything longer than two hours, I bring Honey Stinger energy gel. It's honey-based, it doesn't taste like chemical candy, and it's easy on my stomach. One every 45 minutes or so keeps the bonk away.

Next spring: 100 miles. Probably. Ask me again after the bathroom is done.