Team Ride Center
Welcome to the information center for MCT/Tonka team rides. An aspect that makes our group unique is our focus on both race performance and rider development. The purpose for each of our rides varies during the season. Rides include development work, Wednesday night paceline work, and A/B weekend rides.

2009 Ride Schedule
The listing below is only a partial schedule; we also hold other regularly scheduled rides with specific training goals. Contact a team captain for details.

Spring Rides - thaw through March 27

Spring Rides - March 28 through April 24

Summer Rides - begin April 25th

Routes
Team rides vary, but run in two major directions out of the Minnetonka area.

We ride up to 5 variations of the southwest "East Union" route. Each route is an extension of the previous. This is a fun but advanced course. EU#5 has roughly 5,600 ft. of elevation gain and significant portions are open to heavy head/cross winds.

  1. East Union #1: 45 mile round trip from Tonka. Generally flat with rolling hills. From Victoria south on Cty Rd 43, crossing Cty Rd 10 & 212. At Cty Rd 50 in East Union turn east 1 block to Cty Rd 40. Follow Cty Rd 40 north through Carver.
  2. East Union #2: 52 mile round trip from Tonka. Adds two noticable climbs. At Cty Rd 43 & 50 (East Union School) go west 2.5 miles. At Cty Rd 41 go south 2 miles. At Cty Rd 52 go east 3 miles. At Cty Rd 40 turn north to Carver.
  3. East Union #3: 57 miles round trip from Tonka. Same as EU#2. At Cty Rd 43 & 50 (East UnionSchool) go west 5 miles to Gotha. At Gotha turn south on Cty Rd 53. Turn east at Cty Rd 52. At Cty Rd 40 turn north to Carver.
  4. East Union #4: 65 miles round trip from Tonka. Adds one long gradual climb. This was our long route in 2006. From Gotha countinue south on Cty Rd 53 to Highway 25. East on Hwy 25 about 1 mile to Cty Rd 40 (near Belle Plain) to Carver.
  5. East Union #5 (full map below): 80 miles round trip from Tonka. New in 2007. Adds one noticable climb & some rollers. At Hwy 25 & Cty Rd 40 continue south into Belle Plain. Turn west on SCOTT Cty Rd 6. Follow Cty Rd 6 about 5 miles to Blakey. At Scott Cty Rd 1, cross river and go 0.5 mile to SIBLEY Cty Rd 6. This turns into Carver Cty Rd 40. Follow through Carver.

East Union route #5 map
You may also click here for additional route details.

Ride Info
Rides vary in mileage and intensity depending on the weather, race calendar and time of year, and may occasionally include city limits sprints and hill climbs. Routes cover the western twin cities area. The Monday and Sunday rides are the best opportunities to join us for a friendly spin. Monday pace averages an easy 15 mph; Sunday is faster but not as intense as our Saturday rides.

Directions to Tonka Cycle & Ski
Tonka Cycle & Ski is located at Excelsior Blvd & Williston Road in Minnetonka. From highways 494 & 7, go west on 7 to Williston (first stop light). Go south on Williston to Excelsior Blvd. Tonka Cycle & Ski is on the south side of Excelsior Blvd., just through the We encourage you to visit our friends at Tonka Cycle & Ski for great products and services. Tonka stocks a variety of excellent product lines including Louis Garneau clothing and women-specific fits.

Ride Policy
You don't have to be a team member to join our rides, but non-members must contact us before attending. As a result of our team's concern for safety, newcomers should participate in some of our easier rides before an invitation will be extended to join the more demanding rides. Helmets are required on all rides. Participants agree to obey applicable traffic laws. Participants recognize that the sport of cycling involves certain inherent risks and dangers, and agree that neither MCT nor Tonka Cycle & Ski will be held responsible for any injury.

© Minnesota Cycling Team 1999-2009