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15th Annual Cedar Valley Tour (Iowa)
From: Rick Paulos
The 15th Annual Cedar Valley Tour Saturday & Sunday July 16 & 17 2005 8:00 AM start Join the Hawkeye Bicycle Association for an easy 2 day bicycle ride on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from Hiawatha, Iowa to Waterloo, Iowa and back. Its about 55 miles each day on this former rail road line. Nearly flat all the way. The first 4 miles are paved with a new underpass under County Home Road, the next section of the trail is cool crushed limestone and the northern half is smooth asphalt. Many miles are tree covered to block the sun and wind. Lots of places along the way to stop for food or drinks. Lafayette we are here, where did you go, Center Point for breakfast, Urbana for water and the playground, Brandon for soda and to view the 'worlds largest frying pan' as listed in Dr. Science's book Iowa Oddities, La Porte City at the Dairy Queen where they have the longest menu around and the world famous fried pickles on a stick or blue frozen squishees and Gilbertville for soda. Despite the excess asphalt, there is wildlife to be seen by the observant riders. Turtles, egrets, possoms and more. Sing along with the bull frogs as you pedal. Braaaapp. Motel at the Heartland Inn or optional camping at McFarlane Park in Blackhawk county near LaPorte City. Lots of restaurants within easy walking or biking distance from the motel. A favorite is Mama Nicks Italian restaurant. There is a movie theater at the nearby Crossroads shopping mall. The Heartland Inn has a swimming pool for the kids. This is a great tune up for Ragbrai and an excellent ride for teens & kids on tandems too. The Hiawatha trail head is just 2 blocks east of I380 at exit 25. Lots of parking. You can leave your car overnight. $2 daily trail pass required for the Linn & Benton County part of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. They are available at nearby convience stores. We leave Hiawatha at 8:00 am Saturday. The Heartland Inn toll free phone number is 1-800-334-3277 motel #10 for the Waterloo Crossroads Heartland Inn. Tell them you are with the Hawkeye Bicycle Club to get the %12 group discount. There are plenty of other motels in the immediate neighborhood too. Maps will be provided at the start. No sign up fee. No baggage hauling service. But how much do you need for 1 overnight at a motel afterall. Did I say easy? That might be too tough of a description. We ride SLOW and stop everywhere. 8 hours to ride a mere 55 miles. And NO hills. Hey, trains don't go up hill and neither does this trail. Plenty of saddle time to get your rear ready for Ragbrai. Rain or shine. Helmet use is requested for all HBA rides. Please forward this to anybody you think would be interested. Thanks, rick ---- |
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