What do you do when much of the railroad route in your state is no longer needed for trains because other transportation options have taken the place of the railway? Well, in Iowa they turned many of their old, abandoned railroad beds into some pretty awesome, long paved biking trails. In fact, they've converted more miles of railroad beds into biking trails than any other state in the union. And-just like the railways before them-these routes now encompass rocky terrain, hills, wide open praire, wooded areas and forests, and even cross over creeks and rivers, so there is lots to see in the Hawkeye state.
Not far from Council Bluffs, families will enjoy journeying along the Wabash Trail, a 25- mile run that is pretty easy to travel and great for beginners. Along with fantastic scenic views, this route includes lots of opportunities to stop and check out the little towns and stopping points all along this trail. This is a fun, relaxing ride with lots of great interesting attractions as an added benefit.
Not far from Des Moines, you'll find a 7-mile trail running alongside the Des Moines River. Sometimes called the "Brickyard," the Sycamore Trail also includes some offshoot trails that loop around to provide some challenging diversions. This route is pretty technical, steep, and rocky, so it's recommended for experienced riders. And, since it is so close to the river, parts of the trail are actually under water during wet spring seasons. Plan to tackle this one during the dry season and exercise caution when riding, as you may encounter deer near the river along the way.
The Oleson Park Trail near Fort Dodge that have been designed and continually improved by Joker Racing. You'll experience a really fast downhill section as well as some wet/dry creek crossings. The terrain is hilly, but nothing too difficult. There's something here for everyone.
Iowa City is home to the Sugar Bottom Recreation Area. Here you'll find a web of trails totalling nearly 12 miles with something for every biker of every skill level. These great, well-marked trails are mostly one-way, so watch for signs or look at a map. Then choose trails to match your skill level. Advanced riders will love the trails with technical challenges like roots and double backs. Keep your eyes open, though. You won't be the only bikers here, as this area is pretty popular.
For intermediate to professional level bikers, the 14-mile trail on the Decorah Mountain Bike Trail System will get your heart racing! Home to the first MTB racing event to be held in Iowa, you'll find lots of technical features to challenge even the most advanced riders. Roots and rocks, steep inclines and rapid descents, dirt track and lots of other types of terrains and surfaces-there is something here to challenge everyone-and this track definitely will challenge most riders!
Another trail perfect for the most adventurous of bikers is the Lewis and Clark Trail near Council Bluffs. It's a good thing that there are some good bailout points along this 7-mile track because there's a lot of technical stuff here and intermediate riders may not be up for all of them. Twists, turns, roller coaster hills, sharp inclines and drops, obstacles to navigate, and more keep this one interesting. And you'll need to watch out for hikers on these trails, as well.
With over 1,200 miles of bike trails, the state of Iowa is a mountain biker's paradise. Hopefully the choices above have whet your appetite to experience them for yourself! Happy trails!
Not far from Council Bluffs, families will enjoy journeying along the Wabash Trail, a 25- mile run that is pretty easy to travel and great for beginners. Along with fantastic scenic views, this route includes lots of opportunities to stop and check out the little towns and stopping points all along this trail. This is a fun, relaxing ride with lots of great interesting attractions as an added benefit.
Not far from Des Moines, you'll find a 7-mile trail running alongside the Des Moines River. Sometimes called the "Brickyard," the Sycamore Trail also includes some offshoot trails that loop around to provide some challenging diversions. This route is pretty technical, steep, and rocky, so it's recommended for experienced riders. And, since it is so close to the river, parts of the trail are actually under water during wet spring seasons. Plan to tackle this one during the dry season and exercise caution when riding, as you may encounter deer near the river along the way.
The Oleson Park Trail near Fort Dodge that have been designed and continually improved by Joker Racing. You'll experience a really fast downhill section as well as some wet/dry creek crossings. The terrain is hilly, but nothing too difficult. There's something here for everyone.
Iowa City is home to the Sugar Bottom Recreation Area. Here you'll find a web of trails totalling nearly 12 miles with something for every biker of every skill level. These great, well-marked trails are mostly one-way, so watch for signs or look at a map. Then choose trails to match your skill level. Advanced riders will love the trails with technical challenges like roots and double backs. Keep your eyes open, though. You won't be the only bikers here, as this area is pretty popular.
For intermediate to professional level bikers, the 14-mile trail on the Decorah Mountain Bike Trail System will get your heart racing! Home to the first MTB racing event to be held in Iowa, you'll find lots of technical features to challenge even the most advanced riders. Roots and rocks, steep inclines and rapid descents, dirt track and lots of other types of terrains and surfaces-there is something here to challenge everyone-and this track definitely will challenge most riders!
Another trail perfect for the most adventurous of bikers is the Lewis and Clark Trail near Council Bluffs. It's a good thing that there are some good bailout points along this 7-mile track because there's a lot of technical stuff here and intermediate riders may not be up for all of them. Twists, turns, roller coaster hills, sharp inclines and drops, obstacles to navigate, and more keep this one interesting. And you'll need to watch out for hikers on these trails, as well.
With over 1,200 miles of bike trails, the state of Iowa is a mountain biker's paradise. Hopefully the choices above have whet your appetite to experience them for yourself! Happy trails!
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With the beginning cycler in mind, The Comfort Bike Shop has built its inventory of cruiser bikes to provide quality and durability
