Summer Iowa Bike Trip June 5-8 Update #3

UPDATE #3
I hope everyone has been out riding and getting yourself in biking shape for our Iowa trip.
Here are my thoughts for Friday and Saturday. Thursday night, it is my plan to drive to the Hight Trestle Trail to see it at night. I plan to take my bike and ride over the bridge just to say I did it. For that, we will need to drive a short distance to Woodward.
Friday, we will ride the High Trestle Trail. To start, we can ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail Connector 9 miles from Perry to Woodward. Ride over the bridge and admire the view. Then continue on to Madrid for lunch. That will be a total of 14 miles one way. Those of you who want to continue can go on to Slater, which is another 6.6 miles. Traillink is my source for this mileage. Woodward and Madrid & Slater have bathrooms.
Friday dinner will be served at Bruce & Sandra & company.
Saturday, we will ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail, which starts in Perry. We can ride from Perry to Cooper which would be 20 miles 1 way. If you want to go to Jefferson, add another 7 miles. We can have lunch in Herndon, which is before Cooper.
Start times for both days may be 9/930. We can take breaks along the way and enjoy some fun scenery. Traillink says Cooper trailhead is in the center of town with an old grain elevator, water and restrooms. Perry Trailhead is in the center of town, adjacent to an historic railroad caboose. Water and restrooms are available.
****Trail info says there is a $2/day per person user fee, wit dropboxes at trailheads. I'm a supporter of trails, so I plan to pay the fee.
Otherwise, bring plenty of water and containers for such, snacks and maybe a sandwhich for Friday. One lunch location in Madrid said they accept outside food and there may be a food truck. I'm still working on that info. Also bring raingear. As long as it is not storming, we should plan to ride.
Stay tuned for further info as it develops.

UPHi Friends,
Update #2 Hotel RSVPs:
Today, I made reservations for us at the Super 8 in Perry, Iowa. Those of you who have already reserved your room prior to Feb. 9, I did not include in this group reservation. I did not want to miss out on opportunity to secure rooms , so that is the reason for advance planning.
I have reserved 4 rooms--2 queens in each, non smoking. Daily rate with tax/night will be $97.34 with a Wyndham Rewards rate. I have held these rooms until check-in time on the afternoon of June 5. At that time you can check in and pay for your own room and/or split it with your roommate if you want to share a room. Reservations are assuming 2 people will be in each room.
You can cancel RSVP up until June 4 @ 4pm, if need be. Super 8 phone is 515-758-8934.

If you need reservation # prior to June 4, let me know and I can send it to you off Meetup.
Meanwhile, keep pedaling and may the trail ahead of you be a fun filled adventure.

Hi Friends,
Here is #1 update for travel plans:
Trip dates will be June 5-8.

The above picture is of the High Trestle Bridge in Woodward, Iowa. We can ride the High Trestle Bridge Trail and the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the connector between the two. The Raccoon River Valley Trail is the oldest and longest paved, loop trail in the nation. The High Trestle Trail is known for its 130 foot tall trestle bridge. (see picture above). Both trails are part of the Great American Rail Trail.

My plans are to arrive in Perry, IA late June 5. Apple Maps says it is roughly a 5 hour drive to either location, from Columbia. Perry is a good middle point, as we could go either to the High Trestle or the Raccoon River Valley Trail. I have riding plans for Friday and Saturday.

Thursday night we could have dinner together and see the High Trestle Bridge at night with the lights. We could park near the entrance, so if you want to ride across the bridge or walk, we could do either.
We will lodge in Perry as it is good access to both trails. We will ride The Raccoon River Valley Trails and High Trestle bridge Trail Friday and Saturday. Sunday, we could ride some portion of either trail, then pack up and go home. Both of these trails are Rails to Trails, and are paved, so the riding will be smooth and easy. Our biking mileage would be roughly 30 miles round trip each day. Sunday would be your choice of mileage since we need to drive home that day.

LODGING: The Super 8 in Perry is where we will stay. Trip Advisor gives it 3.5 stars. Some of us will be staying at AirBnBs, as an alternative. Please let me know if you can go to some summer fun in Iowa. I did put a limit of 20 people for this trip. I have also noted all those who have signed up already.

Let's go and explore some new trails !!

https://www.traillink.com/trail/high-trestle-trail/
https://www.traillink.com/trail/raccoon-river-valley-trail/