I say first thing we do is hit the bank on the underside of the Washington ped bridge on campus for old times sake. We can decide where to go from there.

Steef knows urban riding like the back of his paw, he might have some other good ideas.

OMG - bridge collapse in MPLS!

I am shocked! I hope all you homies are untouched by this tragedy.

due to recent events , is this still a go ?

I talked with retroBMX Paul and we're going to see how things are in the morning. Send me an email (mikkopeters@yahoo.com) and I'll reply with an update to everyone that was planning on making it by the AM.

I hope everyone is safe and our thoughts go out to the people that are impacted by this accident.

Hey fellas,

I thought a lot about it overnight. Unless we hear today that one of us has been affected by this tragedy, the ride is still on.

I think that Twin Citians will all be making adjustments today to life without the 35W bridge, and certainly there will be increased traffic on Washington Ave in MPLS, which is where we were meeting. It might make it a bit more difficult for some of us to get to the meet-up place, Sally's in Stadium Village. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to scout out the parking in advance. I'm counting on you guys being resourceful, that you can find a parking spot and ride your bike to Sally's. Refer to the initial post in this thread for a link to Sally's website. I think there is a map there. You’re going to want the Huron St exit off of I-94, that funnels you right into Stadium Village. This is Minneapolis, not St. Paul, as some confused Finnish farmer wrote last week in an e-mail about upcoming Faction events…

I'll try to be to Sally's by 6 - 6:15. The plan was to depart on our ride by 6:30. We could delay that to 6:45 if it seems that people are running late. My cell is 715 410 6047 if you need to call me.

We will head west on Washington Ave. We will hit a couple of spots along Washington (Moos Towers and Coffman Union) before heading out to the Washington Ave Pedestrian bridge and viewing the 35W damage from there.

We'll then head down to the curved bank beneath the bridge, session that for a while, before heading up East River Road to a place where we can get a closer view of the 35W bridge. I don’t know what kind of perimeter the police have established in that area, we’ll respect it and we will see what we can see.

It is not my intent that we geek-out about the bridge collapse, but I think that since we were planning to be in the area, we should check it out. For God’s sake, I hope we never see something like this again in our lifetimes.

I don’t want to be preachy, but I think the tone of this ride has changed from the original concept. I think we should be respectful of the tragedy that has occurred. While can have a good time and enjoy each other’s company, for me, the idea of getting crazy in the bar after the ride just doesn’t sit well. Does this make sense? See you tonight bros.

Well said Paul... thanks for the update.

Well said? Even the part about the confused Finnish Farmer?

Yep!

See everyone at Sally's tonight!

Since everybodys draggin their feet postin pics from the ride, I'll start with a couple...Mike doing his fave kickturn variation, hereby dubbed the EL MIKKO!

Rod: "Hey man, lemme get a sip of that!"
Psycho: "Errrrrrrr,.....no."

Given the circumstances, that was a good night of riding.

Points of interest:
- Bill S attempting peg stalls at the bank
- Ex-FNG Tony LAUNCHING OFF OF EVERYTHING
- New FNG Jeff buying a round at Grumpys
- Getting stuck in traffic with Ditch trying to get across the river, listening to Skid Row (yeah!)
- RetroBMX running front brakes!
- Peter Q riding his 86 Master
- BMXBABE showing up to say hi
- Rodley being Rodley
- Dinner at Sallys @ 10 pm
- Psycho telling me about a Faction sticker being pasted to a steel beam that he was placing in a building the next day
- JT doing a mile long (or close to it) wheelie. Uphill.
- Hanging out with all my MN/WI bros!!!!

If you missed this ride, show up for the slideshow and golf next weekend!!!

2 pictures?

Really?!?!

C'mon Smitty, I know you got some better shots than I did!

DW

My Hoffman is the ****! I know that's bragging, but this bike rules!
Come on Smitty, post 'em up.

That was a great ride, thanks for putting it on Paul.

Speaking of Smitty, hit minnesotafaction.com

Sorry, sorry, I'm too busy hanging out at the bar with Freestyle legends.

Thanx again for setting that up Paul. I hope you can hang out at the bar with us non-legends when the nostalgia of Rockford wears off.

Ditch, thanx for taking me off FNG status. I just figured out what FNG meant... before, I was just the f 'in' new guy.

Mikko, Your Hoffman does rule!

My PK has slight damage from Grumpy's bouncer. He was having a slow night and decided to bounce mine and Peter Q's bikes. I'm gonna build a bar bike now too.

Pics???? TWO?!?!?!?

(I don't want to know why you have your wifes pink undies on either Mikko) Or is that some sorta "Freestyle" thang?

Glad to see this ride still go on. Good job.

Wendt!!! You better have Sept 8th off or there will be h311 to pay!