Checking out the Trail Extension

A few weeks ago, I noticed that the Cedar Valley Nature Trail had been extended south of Cedar Rapids. A few years back, I rode to the south end, and discovered that the trail ended abruptly between a cul-de-sac in a newish subdivision and a cornfield. So, knowing that the trail needed to be explored and the car needed an oil change, I loaded my bike in the car, dropped it off at the mechanic, said I'd be back in a couple of hours, and took off.

As I rode through town toward the trail, I smelled something very much out of place in the middle of Cedar Rapids. It took me a minute to realize that it smelled like a cow barn. It was probably partially-composted cow manure being used to fertilize the topsoil trucked in around some new construction. All this wouldn't be worth mentioning, except the new construction is directly across the road from a little ice cream shop called the Kool Moo.

A few minutes later, I picked up the trail. I nodded hello as I passed a couple of oncoming bikes. As I looked back to the trail, I saw something out of the corner of my eye, and I did a quick double-take. What had looked like a teddy bear hanging out of a bright pink backpack was actually a fluffy little dog, evidently quite happy to be riding on his owner's back.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the trail had re-opened south of the Cedar River, between Czech Village and the softball fields (or maybe more precisely, around Mt. Trashmore). A few turns later, I passed under U.S. 30. A few minutes after that, I was in new trail territory, at one point so close to the cornfield that I could have detasseled as I rode.

A mile or so past 30, the trail went into some cool woods, which was very welcome after the hot sun in the cornfield. A sign warned users of the paved trail that horses were prohibited on the limestone portions of the trail. "Ah," I thought, "the trail must turn to limestone soon. I should watch for that." One or two miles later, the trail was still paved. I stopped where the trail crossed Ely Road, just at the Linn/Johnson county line. "Maybe Linn County paved the trail, but Johnson County hasn't quite gotten there yet," I mused, looking across the road at the concrete apron beckoning me to continue my ride. Instead, I turned back toward Cedar Rapids. It wasn't just that I needed to pick the car up and head home. It was also that, past the concrete apron, roadside weeds grew out of the ditch. Not only has Johnson County not paved the trail yet, they haven't built it yet (*).

Fortunately, when they do, I'll have another reason to ride south on the trail.

The ride north was enjoyably uneventful. The rolling hills I climbed going south made the ride to the river speedy and easy. A brief showdown with trail-blocking geese was the only notable animal encounter on the way back. Then, sadly, the bike had to take a ride in the car.

Important stats:
28.65 miles in 1:50:59
2 water bottle refills
No notable roadkill
1 fluffy dog in a backpack
4.5 quarts of 5W20

* This means the nearest limestone trail is roughly 20 miles north of the sign, past County Home Road, on the other side of Cedar Rapids.