How do I get to the meeting place?
We meet in the parking lot on the corner of 2nd Ave. SE and University Ave. SE
2ND Ave SE and University Ave SE


I35W from the north

  • Take Exit 18.
  • Turn right on 4th Street SE for about a half mile
  • Turn left on SE 2nd Ave, Parking lot is half a block on the right.

I-35W from the south

  • Take exit 17C for 3rd St
  • Turn right at 3rd Ave
  • Cross the 3rd Ave / Central Ave bridge
  • Turn right at SE University Ave, go 1 block
  • Turn left, Parking lot is half a block on the left.

I-94 from the east

  • Take exit 235B for Huron Blvd
  • Huron becomes SE 4th St, continue
  • Turn left on SE 2nd Ave, Parking lot is half a block on the right.

I-94 from the north west

  • Take exit 230, 4th St N
  • Turn left at S 3rd Ave
  • Cross the 3rd Ave / Central Ave bridge
  • Turn right at SE University Ave, go 1 block
  • Turn left, Parking lot is half a block on the left.

I-394 from the west

  • Exit onto 4th St N
  • Turn left at S 3rd Ave
  • Cross the 3rd Ave / Central Ave bridge
  • Turn right at SE University Ave, go 1 block
  • Turn left, Parking lot is half a block on the left.
What's the route like?

AT&T TowerThe skate winds through approximately six miles of downtown Minneapolis. Intended for skaters with an intermediate ability or better, the route primarily follows existing bike paths or downtown streets. Frequent stops allow skaters to re-group and enjoy the sites, including riverfront, historic districts, and urban parks.

Bear in mind that even though much effort has been put into selecting a safe route, there is still some inherent risk in skating outdoors, especially at night. Safety gear, such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and flashlights, is strongly recommended.
What are the Rules of the Road?

Local instructors offer the following guidelines:

Watch the Group
If you haven't skated the route before just ask other skaters. Keep an eye on each other. When we use the bike lanes, it's important to stay in the bike lanes.

Watch the Road
It is up to you to constantly evaluate road conditions. Do not assume that every surface is flat, flawless or debris-free. Always watch the road. If you see a hazard, such as debris on the road, cracks in the cement, anything that you feel is a skating hazard, "call it back" to other skaters. When you hear someone call back a hazard to you, call it back to skaters behind you.

Watch for Pedestrians
Although much of the route includes streets with bike lanes, it is important to remember that even though you are skating with a group, you need to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. And obviously, never run red lights.

--DISCLAIMER --

.

IM Pei designed US Bank Place
What do you do after the skate?
Hey, the main reason we do this is to get together with new friends, old friends, and even new old friends from the skate two weeks earlier. The start and end point is at Riverplace/St. Anthony Main which provides a convenient choice of food and drinks. You won't need reservations, but you will need shoes.
Pete with coffee. Brewboy with water. ????
Who started this whole thing?

Thanks for not asking "who's responsible" for this...

The Friday Night Skate started in 1989 in San Francisco. With a similar emphasis on socially skating through the streets of downtown San Francisco, this night skate has grown over the years drawing 300-500 people every week. Since then the night skate phenomenon has spread over the county and is especially popular in Europe. The skate in Paris draws 15-20 thousand people every week! They also skate until the wee hours of the morning throughout the streets of Paris.

The local Minneapolis skate started in 1997 with substantially fewer skaters than 20,000. Yet over the last four years the skate has gone from a dozen skaters to what it is today. Every year, every skate, more and more participants are discovering how much fun the Friday Night Skate can be.