dblhelix
Well-Known Member
While touring, I accumulate local bike maps which I periodically scoop up when no longer needed and send home via USPS. I hadn’t noticed this earlier, but lo and behold, do you see what I see on this Linn County (Iowa) 2018 Metro Area Trails Guide?
She’s riding a Trek Lift+ Low Step. How did I miss the Bosch battery?
Despite RAGBRAI, Iowa is not a bike-friendly state on average. I’ve had farmers in Moville (Sioux City area) lecture me that I have my “own roads,” so I shouldn’t use public roads. A not uncommon bike-legal road will have no real shoulder, a 55-65 mph speed limit, and if you’re lucky, a sign to “share the road.” Expect gravel, lots of gravel. Train for a new competitive sport: out-gunning farm dogs.
Yet, get yourself the right set of low-traffic county blacktops and be on the right side of that wind, and you’re in for a great day of biking. Watch out of for the farm implements with one giant wheel on the road, the other kicking up the dust on a “shoulder.” Iowa is high-risk, high-reward outside of the metro areas.
Cedar Rapids in Linn County is the state’s second-largest city. I am surprised by the ebike focus on their official trails guide, but I shouldn’t be. CR/Linn County has had a bike-friendly mayor (Corbett), a proactive trails organization, funding from a local option sales tax, and more that I don’t remember on-the-spot. The planners focus on trail connectivity, and longer stretches of trail means a stronger case for e-bikes.
Cedar Rapids appears to have at least two bike shops selling electric models, but I am not familiar with the shops. I did have the opportunity to stop in Decorah Bicycles (Trek/Specialized) in NE Iowa, and I’m glad I did. First, I’ll mention that locals in Decorah recommended the owner, Travis Greentree, by name. My goal at the time was to get my rear brakes looked at (again), but I was pleasantly surprised to walk in and see Specialized e-bikes on display. For those who are not familiar, Decorah is a vacation hotspot for campers, bikers, nature enthusiasts and paddlers. The town has both mountain and paved trails. Decorah Bicycles is located right on the Trout Run (paved) Trail which features easy sections and right by the shop, one of the harder zig-zag ascents — perfect for ebike demos! Travis asked if I wanted to try out the Specialized bikes, so off we went on Como 3 and Vado 2 (I think) models, swapping midway. I had a lot of fun, especially since I was secure in the knowledge that Travis had just restored the rear brake on my R&M to health... Highly recommend this shop to Iowans looking for a local shop and visitors looking for an ebike rental! Special bonus: Decorah Bicycles is located next to the very popular Whippy Dip, where, “Everything is Uffda.”
She’s riding a Trek Lift+ Low Step. How did I miss the Bosch battery?
Despite RAGBRAI, Iowa is not a bike-friendly state on average. I’ve had farmers in Moville (Sioux City area) lecture me that I have my “own roads,” so I shouldn’t use public roads. A not uncommon bike-legal road will have no real shoulder, a 55-65 mph speed limit, and if you’re lucky, a sign to “share the road.” Expect gravel, lots of gravel. Train for a new competitive sport: out-gunning farm dogs.
Yet, get yourself the right set of low-traffic county blacktops and be on the right side of that wind, and you’re in for a great day of biking. Watch out of for the farm implements with one giant wheel on the road, the other kicking up the dust on a “shoulder.” Iowa is high-risk, high-reward outside of the metro areas.
Cedar Rapids in Linn County is the state’s second-largest city. I am surprised by the ebike focus on their official trails guide, but I shouldn’t be. CR/Linn County has had a bike-friendly mayor (Corbett), a proactive trails organization, funding from a local option sales tax, and more that I don’t remember on-the-spot. The planners focus on trail connectivity, and longer stretches of trail means a stronger case for e-bikes.
Cedar Rapids appears to have at least two bike shops selling electric models, but I am not familiar with the shops. I did have the opportunity to stop in Decorah Bicycles (Trek/Specialized) in NE Iowa, and I’m glad I did. First, I’ll mention that locals in Decorah recommended the owner, Travis Greentree, by name. My goal at the time was to get my rear brakes looked at (again), but I was pleasantly surprised to walk in and see Specialized e-bikes on display. For those who are not familiar, Decorah is a vacation hotspot for campers, bikers, nature enthusiasts and paddlers. The town has both mountain and paved trails. Decorah Bicycles is located right on the Trout Run (paved) Trail which features easy sections and right by the shop, one of the harder zig-zag ascents — perfect for ebike demos! Travis asked if I wanted to try out the Specialized bikes, so off we went on Como 3 and Vado 2 (I think) models, swapping midway. I had a lot of fun, especially since I was secure in the knowledge that Travis had just restored the rear brake on my R&M to health... Highly recommend this shop to Iowans looking for a local shop and visitors looking for an ebike rental! Special bonus: Decorah Bicycles is located next to the very popular Whippy Dip, where, “Everything is Uffda.”
