I seem to be the only person I know who enjoys biking. Just about all of my friends and family own bikes, but the thought of biking to Fremont and back seems daunting to them. I just grew tired of the West Papio trail and wanted to actually go somewhere and see some scenery and different towns. I have a route that goes from my house at 185th and Dodge and takes you through downtown Elkhorn, Waterloo, Valley and into Fremont. The route is very safe and is virtually flat except for 1 hill that is not bad at all. You can see the route here: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Fremont-Route


I am not a competitive rider or anything. I also ride a hybrid bike, so I am not exactly burning up the asphalt (average 13 to 18mph. depending on the wind). I want to put together a group that rides every Saturday or Sunday morning. If anyone is interested, let me know.

Hmmm - what time on Saturday are you planning on going? Right now I'm not for sure if I could do a round trip that long, but willing to try it...although I think my fall time on Saturdays are going to get busy with work around the house and such.

Plus this Saturday and the next are busy...

This weeks ride is going to be on Sunday starting around 08:00 or 09:00. A friend of mine has agreed to ride.

As far as the distance, I just started getting back into biking last year and when I did ride I had to because I was not old enough to drive. Now at 35, I bike whenever I can. When I first drew out the map, I didn't know how realistic I was being. Initially I was only going to go to Valley and turn back, but I didn't feel at all tired so I pressed on to Reichmuth road and kept going. I then saw the sign "Fremont 5 miles" and I couldn't stop. So far I have done the route twice and in some pretty nasty heat. There are many places to stop at for food or drink along the way since the route passes through little towns. Reichmuth road also has 2 conveinient stores.

Sundays don't work for me - I go to church with my family on Sunday and I also us Sunday as a resting day since I commute to work on my bike. Just post here when you go ride on a Saturday and I'll see if it works for me.

Anyway, have a safe and fun ride.

That looks like a nice route. I live at 168th and Blondo, and have thought about Fremont and back, but didn't know about a safer road like that appears to be. I'll post here when I could do that ride, busy this Saturday and Sunday. I'm getting into biking after a late start last year, so I'm about in the same place as you with your average speed. Have a good ride.

The only "bad" part of the route is the small stretch on the Old Lincoln highway. It can be a little bumpy on that road, but it doesn't last long. The most peaceful and scenic stretch has to be on West Maple/270th street past Waterloo. It is a desolate hardly traveled little highway. You have to watch out for frogs on the edge of the road sunning themselves. The entire route is VERY safe. I don't care for riding with cars. I have tried to get on the West Papio trail from my house and I did not care for the stretch on 168th by the trailers where there is not a sidewalk...just too busy of a street.

Yeah, let me know when you are free to ride.

I like your route. I live at 156th and Blondo. I got a wild hare one Sunday and decided to do my first extended road ride. Headed West on Maple to Elkhorn, then turned North on Hwy 31 (204th), took that out to Hwy 36, and headed West on 36 to the junction with 275 just short of Fremont. All roads with shoulders, but there can be quite a bit of traffic. Your route looks safer and probably more scenic. And there sure isn't any place to stop for a Gatorade out on Highway 36.

That's cool that you got out and took a long ride. My route was kind of the result of stringing together a few rides and luck. The time of day when you ride is also a factor.

Yesterday a friend (has a road bike) and neighbor (has a mountain bike) agreed to do the route. We met up in my driveway at 8am and set out. It was a great ride, except my neighbor called for a ride on the way back in Valley. His mountain bike with it's wider tires and heavier frame wore him out. It wasn't a race or anything we kept a pretty tame pace and slowed down if he appeared to drop back at all. When we departed from Valley on the way back I tried to pick up the pace a little, but I knew my friend on the road bike had no troubles keeping up. I was then the weak link on my hybrid.

One of these weekend mornings, I am going to take a left on 264th street after Waterloo and see where that takes me.

You going this Saturday? the 16th? so is it 22.7 or 45 round trip? I am planning on riding Saturday morning, I might be interested. Let me know.

Triphill, yes it is a 45 mileround trip ride. According to my computer it is a few miles less. If you are willing to do the route, I will ride on Saturday 8AM.

Anybody doing the corporate cup ride on Sunday? I'll be the guy in the Grateful Dead jersey dying on the hills to Ft. Calhoun.

Anybody doing the corporate cup ride on Sunday? I'll be the guy in the Grateful Dead jersey dying on the hills to Ft. Calhoun.

I'll be beating myself senseless on the same hills. The last time I did the CCC, about 10 years ago, it was the 22 mile route, on an old Specialized hard tail mountain bike. It was back when they had it in October instead of August. It was about 50 degrees, rained most of the way, and coming around the bend on Abbott Drive by that gas station just West of 30th, I looked back to see if my wife was OK, and managed to bury the front wheel in the mud, launching myself over the bars. Split my helmet open, and banged up my shoulder pretty good..

Hoping for better results this time

Yep - was wondering the same thing.

I'm going to do the 42 mile bit - just hope my sore back is better Sunday morning. I'll be the guy wearing the red jersey....okay - I'll be the guy with the hybrid with a dinosaur horn - HEY, it's COOL looking and he looks MEAN.. :notamused:

Are there no recreational biking clubs in your area?

Anybody doing the corporate cup ride on Sunday? I'll be the guy in the Grateful Dead jersey dying on the hills to Ft. Calhoun.

I will be there on a tandem trike, part of the County Cruisers recumbent club (16 strong :thumb:)

Glenn in Omaha

Yea, I made it. I felt pretty good at the end. My neck was sore, but legs felt OK. Had a good time, no flats, no problems.

It was just about a perfect morning for a ride, wasn't it? I ended up going off pretty fast with a couple of triathletes from my office, which meant pushing a pace quite a bit more aggressive than I normally would, but it was nice getting away from the huge pack. Coming back in to town mixed in with the Burleys and the trail-a-bikes and the families of six on their annual ride was an adventure.

I heard there was about 4,000 people there. Nice to see cycling having that kind of popularity

My co-worker and I hooked up right as the "Pack" was leaving. We just wanted to do a nice even pace ride, so we hung back to let the majority of the pack go by. We made it in fairly good time - about a 1 mph faster than I planned on, but being the first time and not expecting the hills - silly me. It was a good ride, my legs held out and were a bit sore by the end of it - but today they are fine and I rode into work today.

Now if I can get myself on the road bike instead of the hybrid...

I take the morning edition of the Omaha World Herald. No mention that I can find of the Corporate Cycling Challenge. :notamused:

Am I just blind? Or is a 4000-person event not news?

Glenn in Omaha

I am planning a ride 08/24/08 @ 08:00. The route is below in the link. I have one other going. If anyone is interested, let me know.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Scenic-Loop-Route

Anyone doing something Saturday morning - as I go to church on Sundays and just use Sundays as a resting day since I commute to work each day.

Michael

Anyone doing something Saturday morning - as I go to church on Sundays and just use Sundays as a resting day since I commute to work each day.

Michael

It looks like I can ride on Saturday. I forgot that my son's swimming lessons are canceled this saturday.

I can ride that tomorrow. Should I plan to meet on the bricks by the rr track at 192nd at 0800? I'll be riding a black Specialized tricross, and a Star Wars jersey. Will see you in the morning, Jim.-( I'll check this thread before I leave in the AM).

This is what I ended up riding this morning. Maybe I missed you guys this morning. I was waiting around on 192nd by the railroad tracks from about 0750 until 0810, then decided to go it alone. Here's the route I took. I'm new at the Bikely route mapping, so I don't know how to tag points of interest biking-wise along the route. What I do know, is that Skyline Drive is a narrow 2 lane, and it could be very busy at certain times. Once I got onto West Center, and out on the flats, there was very little traffic to worry about. Nice ride all in all.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/skyline-valley-waterloo-elkhorn .

This is what I ended up riding this morning. Maybe I missed you guys this morning. I was waiting around on 192nd by the railroad tracks from about 0750 until 0810, then decided to go it alone. Here's the route I took. I'm new at the Bikely route mapping, so I don't know how to tag points of interest biking-wise along the route. What I do know, is that Skyline Drive is a narrow 2 lane, and it could be very busy at certain times. Once I got onto West Center, and out on the flats, there was very little traffic to worry about. Nice ride all in all.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/skyline-valley-waterloo-elkhorn .

I rode Sunday A.M. My friend did not want to ride as he has begun running and was too tired. Wow. Your route is nearly identical to the one I did this morning.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Scenic-Loop-Route

Riding on Center after the Elkhorn and before Skyline there is a nasty hill and sometimes impatient traffic. I opted to shoot south and there is hardly any traffic. I have to adjust my route next time, because on W. Q and 222 there is gravel heading north for about a 1/2 mile. I did ok with my 28mm tires. Next time I will take 216th then cut over to F St. Let me know if you want to ride Saturday or Sunday morning. I can meet you 08:00 192nd by the RR tracks.

http://www.spokes4folks.com/Images/Maps/32and42.pdf

www.spokes4folks.com (http://www.spokes4folks.com)

:thumb:
anyone interested?

http://www.spokes4folks.com/Images/Maps/32and42.pdf

www.spokes4folks.com (http://www.spokes4folks.com)

:thumb:
anyone interested?

I am. What day? How is 216th street compared to 225th/230th hill wise?

Turns out I'm not availablet to ride that day. I didn't get any miles in this past holiday weekend. A shame I let gorgeous weather go to waste. I think I'll try to remedy that this weekend. Later, Jim

I will be riding this Sunday 08:00 on the Fremont route with a friend of mine. I picked up a new Jamis Ventura Sport last weekend and I can't wait to try it out.

Joe 5700, how's the new bike? I almost bought a Jamis Ventura Race last year.

Joe 5700, how's the new bike? I almost bought a Jamis Ventura Race last year.

So far it has been awesome. No complaints, just rolling on the miles.