Anyone here from the Des Moines area?
 

Is there anyone from the Des Moines area here that might be able to answer a few questions concerning a week long ride we're putting together for next year. My touring buddy keeps talking about his desire to see that High Trestle Bridge trail and I know they've opened up several trails in the area. Please feel free to PM me or post below. As always, thank you for your time and input.

There are a couple of folks from DM on BF. I am. So is mstateglfr

It's been a while since I've ridden the High Trestle trail though.

Also check out Who's Ridin'--Des Moines. It's a public group on Facebook where you will get lots of feedback. Some of the local trails have FB pages as well (Chichaqua Valley Trail for example).

I’m not from there but my wife and I did a very low key tandem tour there last year. The plan was to do a loop around Des Moines from Jefferson over the High Trestle down to Des Moines and back to Jefferson. We planned on doing as little as 25 miles a day and as much as 40 miles per day, so very low key. It was also a hotel tour per my wife’s demands. We made it to Des Moines before my knee (already damaged) gave out.

Jefferson was cool about us parking our car at their rec center. I would suggest staying at the Hotel Pattee in Perry. All their rooms are themed (the clown room is really creepy) and they have a bowling alley in the basement. They are also very bicycle accommodating. There aren’t that many places to eat in Perry but there are some.

I’d also suggest the Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Very nice place and, again, very bicycle accommodating. If you are there on a Saturday, there is a giant farmers market downtown that fills the city. It’s been happening on Saturdays in the summer for more than 50 years. Worth a visit.

Can’t tell you much beyond that because that’s where my knee gave out and we had to get a ride back to my truck.

All most all of the ride was on bike paths.

We are thinking of going back this year to finish it up. Got my knee replaced and am ready to go do the whole thing this time.

I am Des Moines curious and have read that it is a bike friendly city. Although I officially live in the Twin Cities, we have a house in Clear Lake that is two hours north of Des Moines and spend most weekends there. Following this thread for adventure ideas!

The DM area does have a first rate system of MUPs. Some of them are a bit flat and boring; some are not. I do appreciate that I can go 50 miles plus in most any direction and not deal with cars.

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Be A Grand Thing if'n I could manage to get over that way (~ 4+ hour's drive, one-way??) some time, meet you & maybe ride summa those paths.

It's a fine day's ride when I can get away from motor vehicles where I am (virtually impossible in any direction but due north & that only about 8 miles) & ride, weather-permitting.

You might find those paths too easy compared to the hills you have to ride in the driftless region!

Hey I'm old enuf to like easy... a lot! And often!!

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. Because this is a day and half drive for me, I've been working on a route of around 250-300 miles to make it worth our while. My older touring buddy, and my wife if she attends, would like to stay in hotels if possible, especially if we're to do this in the heat of the summer. So far I'm trying to make use of every trail in the area and below is what I had pieced together a couple weeks ago but I'll need to add a loop or leg.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53351495

Stuart, sorry to hear about your knee but glad you'll be back in the game soon. Also thanks for the info and we'll see if we can't incorporate that into this thing.

In terms of planning your route, why not find a place you like in downtown DM and plan a bunch of day trips along the paths? There is a lot to do in the city and the paths do interconnect there.

In terms of the route you chose, the Chichaqua Valley Trail (the bit you have from Baxter to Bondurant) is pretty and has good tree cover. You'll find that is not always the case.

The prettiest trail IMO is the Neal Smith which snakes around Saylorville Lake (and runs from downtown along the DM river):

https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Porta...prove_sign.pdf

It's not on your current route but it's worth riding. I posted a number of pics from DM trails in post #5 above; most of them are from the Neal Smith trail. It has good water views, rollers, tree cover, and tall grass restoration. This will give you some idea of what the trail looks closer into the city.

Thank you, I saw that Neil Smith Trail which you mentioned earlier and was trying to figure out a way how to work it into the loop but at your suggestion will definitely take it in.

I live 65 miles from Des Moines and can tell you there are so many options of trail riding in central Iowa. The Raccoon River Valley Trail connects to the Des Moines trails AND the High Trestle Trail and then there's a connecting link back to Des Moines via Ankeny. The Trestle Trail is one not to be missed. Do it at night too. That bridge is amazing at night!
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