IOWA AND THE HIGH TRESTLE TRAIL

Iowa grows a lot of corn. OK, we know that Iowa is a state known for corn. But you don’t realize just how much corn is grown here until you drive past acres and acres of it for miles and miles! On and on. Also – Iowa is flat. Very flat.

Our destination: Woodward (south of Ames) Iowa. We (especially I) want to bike on the High Trestle Trail. Our new friend Rhonda, at SOTF campout, lives in Des Moines and told us of a place to camp right on the trail, and helped Susan with the mapping to get here. And here we are.

As we neared the campground we got a glimpse of the trestle bridge we would be riding across. Note those crooked looking structures on the bridge.

At the campground, a rendition of the bridge as a logo on Woodward water tower.

After getting set up and orienting ourselves, relaxing for the late afternoon, and having dinner, we took our evening ride to the trestle bridge. Our campsite being located right off the trail made the start of our ride a very easy one. (Thank you Rhonda).

Our bikes face the trail ready to roll.

Rolling.

There was just a hint of daylight left when we arrived at the bridge and many cyclists and walkers were there to enjoy it as well.

We rode to the end of the trail and by the time we turned back it had become darker and brighter for the trestle lights. Quite spectacular ;’)

On this nighttime ride we learned that our headlights that are an integral part of the bikes work very well and provide lots of light.

RAGRBAI (big ride across Iowa) is happening this week and we have read that 75,000 cyclists are expected in most of the towns!!! We will miss seeing them come through this very spot on Wednesday as that is our day of departure. I for one am not disappointed to miss being in the midst such a crowd of people and bikes! I ‘almost’ was going to ride one day of RAGBRAI but missed the registration date for that. Afterthought made me sane and I am also not disappointed to miss 80 miles of riding in 90 degrees heat. That’s the sane me talking.

Let’s see what more of the Trestle Trail is like. We will ride that today, in the daylight!