The DM Register suggests this “new route” which isn’t completely new – and that we’ve tried portions of:
Start in Collins on the Heart of Iowa trail and ride east to Maxwell and then Slater – that’s 20.5 miles (and at least the part by Slater that we rode on is gravel and out in open farmland so windy). Then pick up the recently-opened High Trestle Trail for 12 miles to Woodward going over the incredibly cool new pedestrian bridge high above the Des Moines River (hence the name of the trail….we did this last summer when the pedestrian bridge was almost completed. It officially opens in April). From Woodward, ride a few miles on County Rd. R3/aka 130th street through Bouton to Perry, home of the famous Hotel Pattee. Worth a try. Not sure of the total mileage of that.
In Slater, the Take Down Bar & Grill on Main Street is popular with cyclists and has an outdoor patio, sometimes with live music.
TakeBetsywithyou 