Tag Archives: Cedar Valley Cyclists

Cedar Falls, a gateway to some of Iowa’s best bike trails

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com

On my first visit to Central Iowa, I was amazed at the intricate network of hard surface bicycle trails the Cedar Falls Area offers. On this trip, I had the opportunity to
ride with several Cedar Valley Cyclists and enjoy some of the roads and trail loops in the area they often frequent. The Cedar Falls area has something for both the seasoned cyclist and novice rider. This is also a bike-friendly community perfect for the off-road cyclist (cyclocross, fat bike, mountain biking, and BMX), with several opportunities awaiting your arrival. Not to mention the wide array of historical, educational, and entertaining attractions to take in when not riding.

About Cedar Falls and the Valley Lake Trail options

The Ceder Valley Trail System offers several loops between Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

The Cedar Valley Lakes Trail through Cedar Falls and Waterloo intertwine throughout the area – Offering over 100 miles of trails. As I discovered, some of these trails connect and meander through neighboring Waterloo for additional cycling opportunities. A Bronze Bike Friendly Community designation by the League of American Cyclists, see the Cedar Falls bike map for an overview of the vast trail systems and designated bike routes you can enjoy, as I did.

My first ride while visiting

On my first day there, before the rest of my group arrived from Minnesota, I had the opportunity to ride with Brian Will. A local realtor, Brian, is a member of the Cedar Valley Cycling Club. He volunteered to show me some of the trail loops and bike-friendly street routes used for connectivity. The first thing I noticed as we explored the trails, the majority of the trails are paved in concrete, with only a few patches of asphalt to remind me of home. Our first adventure was on the Big Woods Lake Trail. This is a perfect trail loop for biking while viewing birds and wildlife.

Stopping at the Hearst Center For The Arts & Sculpture Garden along the trail.

Brian Will stopping at the Hearst Center for a view of the Arts & Sculpture Garden along the trail.

In the afternoon, after stopping for lunch on Cedar Falls ‘promenade’ (Main Street), we went out and rode sections of the Prairie Lakes Trail. A part of the American Discovery Trail System, we found several loops that took us into some charming and historic neighborhoods in Cedar Falls. Further along, from the trail, we viewed the agricultural test field at the University of Northern Iowa. We then stopped at the Hearst Center’s Arts & Sculpture Garden before returning to the promenade to check out the new brewery downtown.

Road Bike and Trail Touring Options

Gathering for a ride on the Promenade in Cedar Falls.

The next couple of days, with a group of my friends now in town from the Twin Cities, we joined the Cedar Valley Cycling Club on several rides. With several of their members showing up, we explored the trails and roads in the area. First, we visited Waterloo and a couple of other outlying communities. Periodically stopping to visit, they shared information on the communities Bike to Work, Bike to Play program.

Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, and BMX Fun Opportunities

If you prefer the off-road side of cycling, you may be surprised at the number of mountain bike trails in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area. They include George Wyth State Park, Katoski Green Belt, Riverview Park, Tondro Pray Bike Park, and Ulrich Park.

Tondro Pray Bike Park is your headquarters for off-road fun.

At the Tondro Pray Bike Park, you have several additional options along with the mountain bike trails there. The park amenities here include a: BMX/pump track, a mountain bike skills area, and a cycle cross course.

Things to do in Cedar Falls Area after your ride

For this trip, to accommodate 18 of my cycling friends from the Twin Cities, we used one of the hotels on the west side of Cedar Falls, not far from the University of Northern Iowa. Being a bike-friendly community, the AmericInn we stayed at was convenient. The hotel was only a couple of blocks, on quiet streets, to the trailhead and less than 20 minutes, by bike, to the promenade.

Cedar Falls is a great place for cyclists to gather.

Coming off the trail, I noticed the Ice House Museum as I approached downtown, Cedar Falls. This building along the Cedar River was built in 1921. The museum houses an extensive collection of ice harvesting archives that visitors can view while learning what life was like before refrigerators.

On the promenade, you will find a wide assortment of local shops and unique restaurants that will entertain you for hours. Shops include everything: repurposed antiques; two bike shops; contemporary clothing; a cupcake shop; breweries; fair-trade artisan products from around the world; and more.

Things to do in Waterloo

The John Deere Museum offers many example of agricultural history, from household appliances to early farm equipment.

The John Deere Museum offers many examples of agricultural history, from household appliances to early farm equipment.

A 10-minute commute by car or a 30-minute train ride, Waterloo offers several more opportunities when not in the saddle. One of the must-sees when in the area is the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum. The newest exhibit here highlights the history and contribution John Deere has made to agriculture and their farm families through their nearly 100-year operation in Waterloo.

Here at the museum is a John Deere bicycle, from the ’70s, displayed.

Another option if you are into plants and flowers is the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. This 40-acre beauty center features an award-winning Children’s Garden, 4-acre Butterfly Meadow; a Rose Garden; a stunning day lily and Hosta collections; unique Mosaiicultures; and a 1-acre Master Gardener’s Orchard.

Check here for more attractions and museums in the area, and plan your #NextBikeAdventure to Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Bike Pic May 10, gathering for a ride in Cedar Falls, IA

Fun is gathering for a ride, on the Promenade in Cedar Falls, IA. shown in this bike pic.

Get into the zone and plan your next bike outing with family and friends using the new Iowa Bike Guide. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the new HaveFunBiking Guide.

Thanks for viewing our ‘Wheelie Wednesday’ Pic of the Day

Now rolling into our 11th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While highlighting all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more destinations you can have fun at we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy!

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger, to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – Also, check out the latest Bike Guide, mobile friendly as we enter into our 9th year of producing print and digital guides.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. Please share all our pic’s with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with a HFB camera ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. Capturing you in one of our next ‘Pic of the Day’ posts.

Have a great day and a memorable new year ahead!

With bicycles packed, visit Cedar Falls the ‘Gateway to Trails’ in Iowa

by Russ Lowthian, HaveFunBiking.com

On my first visit to this part of Iowa, I was amazed at the intricate network of hard surface bicycle trails the Cedar Falls/Waterloo Area had to offer. On this trip I had the opportunity to
ride with several of the Cedar Valley Cyclists and enjoy some of the road and trail loops in the area that they frequent often. The Cedar Falls area has something for both the seasoned cyclist and novice rider. This is also a bike friendly community for the off road cyclist (cyclecross, fat bike, mountain biking and BMX), with several opportunities waiting your arrival. Not to mention the wide array of historic, educational and entertaining attractions to take in when not riding.

About Cedar Falls and the Valley Lake Trail options

The Ceder Valley Trail System offers several loops between Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

The Cedar Valley Lakes Trail through Cedar Falls and Waterloo intertwine throughout the area – Offering over 100 miles in the trail system. As I discovered, some of these trails connect and meander through neighboring Waterloo for additional cycling opportunities. A Bike Friendly Community designation by the League of American Cyclists, see the Cedar Falls bike map for an overview of the vast trail systems and designated bike routes you can enjoy, as I did.

My first ride while visiting

On my first day there, before the rest of my group arrived from Minnesota, I had the opportunity to ride with Brian Will. A local realtor, Brian is a member of the Cedar Valley Cycling Club. He volunteered to show me some of the trail loops and bike friendly street routes used for connectivity. The first thing I noticed as we explored the trails, the majority of the system is paved in concrete, with only a few patches of asphalt to remind me of home. Our first adventure was on the Big Woods Lake Trail. This is a perfect trail loop for biking while viewing birds and wildlife.

Stopping at the Hearst Center For The Arts & Sculpture Garden along the trail.

In the afternoon, after stopping for lunch on Cedar Falls ‘promenade’ (Main Street) we went out and rode sections of the Prairie Lakes Trail. A part of the American Discovery Trail System we found several loops that took us into charming and historic neighborhoods in Cedar Falls. Further along, from the trail, we viewed the agricultural test field at the University of Northern Iowa. Then we stopped at the Hearst Center For The Arts & Sculpture Garden, before returning to the promenade, to check out the new brewery.

Road Bike and Trail Touring Options

Gathering for a ride on the Promenade in Cedar Falls.

The next couple days, with a group of my friends now in town from the Twin Cities, we joined the Cedar Valley Cycling Club on a couple rides. With several of their members showing up we explored the trails and roads in the area. First we visited Waterloo and a couple other outlying communities. Periodically stopping to visit, they shared information on the communities Bike to Work, Bike to Play program.

Mountain Bike, CycleCross and BMX Fun Opportunities

If you prefer the off road side of cycling you may be surprised at the number of mountain bike trails in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area. They include George Wyth State Park, Katoski Green Belt, Riverview Park, Tondro Pray Bike Park and Ulrich Park.

Tondro Pray Bike Park is your headquarters for off-road fun.

At the Tondro Pray Bike Park you have several additional options along with the mountain bike trails there. This park’s amenities also includes a: BMX/pump track, a mountain bike skills area, and a cycle cross course.

Things to do in Cedar Falls Area after your ride

For this trip, to accommodate 18 of my cycling friends from the Twin Cities, we used one of the hotels on the west side of Cedar Falls, not far from the University of Northern Iowa. Being a bike friendly community, the AmericInn that we stayed at was convenient. The hotel was only a couple blocks, on quite streets, to the trailhead and less than 20 minutes, by bike, to the promenade.

Cedar Falls is a great place for cyclists to gather.

Coming off the trail the first thing I noticed as I approached down town Cedar Falls was the Ice House Museum. This building along the Cedar River was built in 1921. The museum houses an extensive collection of ice harvesting archives that visitors can see and learn what life was like before refrigerators.

Things to do in Waterloo

The John Deere Museum offers many example of agricultural history, from household appliances to early farm equipment.

A 10 minute commute by car or 30 minute trail ride, Waterloo offers several more opportunities when not in the saddle. One of the must-sees when in the area is the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum. The newest exhibit here highlights the history and contribution of John Deere has made to agriculture and their farm families through their nearly 100-year history in Waterloo.

Here at the museum is a John Deere bicycle, from the 70’s, displayed.

Another option if you are into plants and flowers is the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. This 40 acre center of beauty features: an award-winning Children’s Garden; 4-acre Butterfly Meadow; a Rose Garden; a stunning day lily and Hosta collections; unique Mosaiicultures; and a 1-acre Master Gardener’s Orchard.

Check here for more attractions and museums in the Waterloo Area.

Bike Pic Jan 10, Spring Biking Fun in Cedar Falls Iowa.

Here In this Spring Biking Fun photo the Hiawatha Bicycling Club, of Minnesota, visits the Cedar Valley Bicycling Club and tours the cement paved trails and scenic country roads around Cedar Falls, IA.

Back in Minnesota, planning your #NextBikeAdventure, view the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Spring Biking Fun Bike Ride Pic

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While highlighting all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more place to have fun we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing the guide.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. Please share all our picks with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with one of our camera’s ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next Pic of the Day posts.

Have a great day!

A checklist when preparing for a bike tour

With 32-days and a few hours counting until RAGBRAI’s annual ride across Iowa begins, here is a check list that the Cedar Valley Cyclist (CVC) of Cedar Falls, IA uses and shared with HaveFunBiking.com. Thanks Brian Will, from CVC!

We hope this list helps everyone preparing for a multi-day bike adventure, to have fun.

THE CHECKLIST:

___ Newspaper Stop __ Mail Stop ___ Kennel Pets Reservation

___ Tune-up Bike/ ___Clean ___ Yard Work ___ Check Weather Forecast

PACKING CHECKLIST:

___ Duffle Bags (50 lbs max per bag) ___ Money ($50/day est.) ___ Wallet ___ Insurance Cards ___ Route Map ___ Cap / ___Hat ___ I.D.’s / ___Road ID Bracelet ___ Cell Phone / ___Charger ___ Laptop/Tablet / ___Chargers ___ Umbrella _Bug Repellent / ___ Yard Spray ___ Sun Block ___ Chap Stick (SPF) ___ Eyeglasses / ___Case ___ Eye Contacts/___Solution ___ Sunglasses /___ Straps

YOUR BIKE:

___ Bike (remove pedals!) ___ Bike Shoes ___ Bike Bags (__go thru each bag) ____ Bike Tire Pump/ CO2 ___ Bike Lights (front & back) ___ Bike First Aid Kit ___ Bike Tools /___ Rags / ___Oil ___ Bike Lock ___ Tubes / ___Patch Kit

___ Helmet / ___ Gloves (2) ___Bandannas / ___Headbands ___ Fanny Pack / ___ Backpack

___ Water Bottles (2) / ___Camel Back ___ Jerseys / ___Bike Shorts ___ Rain Gear

___ Face towel (for on bike) ___ Notebook Journal /___ Pen ___ Address Book / ___Stamps

___ Business Cards ___ Music / ___Earphones ___ Tylenol or Ibuprofen

___ Batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) ___ Camera/Cell Phone __Charger ___ Head strap light

___ Gatorade Powder ___ Ace Wraps, etc ___ Power or Granola Bars

___ Waterproofed Tent ___ Tent / ___Stakes / ___Mallet ___ Tent Ground Cover Tarp

___ Tent Fan__ Tent Whisk Broom___ Sleeping Bag__ Air Mattress__ Pillow/__ Covers __ Bath Towels

___ Clothes Line /___ Pins ___ Toilet Paper ___ Toiletries

___ Bio Degradable Soap ___ Medications ___ Ear Plugs (for sleeping)

___ Baby Powder /___ Chamois Butt’r ___ Swimsuit ___ Shorts / ___T-shirts ___ Long Sleeve T-shirt/ ___Sweatshirt ___ Shoes /___ Flip Flops ___ Solar Shower Bag 3 gal. / ___Write name

___ Dirty Clothes Bag ___ ‘Woolite’ (if you wash) ___ RAGBRAI Wristband (if not bought thru CVC)

___ Gum ___ Hand Wipes ___ Kleenex (travel size)

___ Can Koozie ___ Bungie Cords ___ Book / Magazine

___ Zip Lock Bags = SM, LG, XL ___Garbage Bags ___ Put clothes in large plastic bags in duffle bags

___ Plastic Grocery Bags (to cover bike seat at night) ___Heavy duty rubber bands (you’ll find a use)

OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS:

BEFORE LEAVING: (if multi-modal transportation is involved):

___ Remove both bike pedals by turning wrench toward back of bike.

___ Large blanket to cover bike in truck

___ Set Cylcometer to zero

___ Put pedals in bike shoe(s) in duffle bag!!!

DO NOT BRING:

-Folding Chair -Cooler -Bike Floor Pump