Is That a Cow or a Buffalo? High Trestle Trail Take 2

I went out to the High Trestle Trail again today for a “long ride”. My RAGBRAI training has consisted of about 3 short rides (between 6 and 12 miles) and one long ride, ranging anywhere from 15 to 30 miles each week. I’ve also been running and swimming to train for the Copper Creek Triathlon, so my RAGBRAI training hasn’t been as relaxed as 4 days a week might seem.

Last time I was at the High Trestle Trail it was for the Grand Opening, and I started from Woodward. This time, I took a shorter drive to the Ankeny trail head.

I got a late start and didn’t reach the trail until 11:30. By 11:30 it was 90 degrees in Ankeny, but I was stocked with two water bottles, a Luna bar, a granola bar and a banana.

The ride out was easy. I thought I had gauged the wind right and was fighting a slight side wind, but once I turned around I realized I was wrong. A 21 mph tailwind assisted ride out turned into 9 mph back fighting, tooth and nail, and I got passed by an old guy on a mountain bike just out for a stroll.

The “Oasis” between Ankeny and Sheldahl is about 7 miles out of Ankeny. If anyone has driven in and out of Chicago, you might know the toll-free stop called the Oasis. With that in mind, I was expecting a well staffed gas station complete with a Starbucks and a Panda Express… There was an outhouse and a water fountain…

Don’t get me wrong, the outhouse was pretty spacious and the water fountain was cold and it was actually three fountains… one for papa bear, one for mama bear and one for baby bear and the dog. It was also a welcome stop both out and back.

I spotted some wildlife that made me raise my eyebrow… a bright neon turquoise bird and some buffalo… Yes, buffalo. At first I tried to convince myself that the cow just hadn’t shed its winter coat… And then I realized I’m from Iowa, I know more about cows than the typical person. This was definitely a buffalo. (One time I was actually playing some sort of brain teaser game while living in Chicago and there was a question about a cow that no one knew but me. Iowa represent!)

Some of the folks in Ankeny had decorated their yards along the trail with stuffed animals riding old tricycles or advertisements for local bike shops. The same guy who had the buffalo had a yard full of interesting knickknacks like this old Pepsi machine. It was a worthy photo op.

I enjoyed the trail starting at Ankeny, but I think I prefer starting at the other end, in Woodward. The high bridge is at that end and you reach a new town about every 5 miles. The road from Ankeny is a lonely one, but definitely worth the trip.

Passport Picture

At the High Trestle Trail ride this weekend they gave out passports that you got stamped at each stop along the way. Right before the bridge they took passport pictures and sent them out via Flikr.
They just sent out the pictures so I thought I'd share it with you. I look tired... I had only gone about 3 miles.


If you rode the trail that weekend, look for your picture here.

High Trestle Trail Grand Celebration

Sorry about the late post… Ever since my ride on Saturday my dad has been on my case to write about it. He doesn’t even want to hear me talk about it… he just wants to read about it on my blog.

Well here it is:

I participated in the High Trestle Trail Grand Celebration Saturday. It was a bike ride between Woodward and Ankeny on the new trail out there. The trail includes the 13-story high bridge over the Des Moines River. Back in 1912 the bridge was a railroad trestle.

Beside the book ends of Woodward and Ankeny, there were stops in Madrid, Sheldahl, Slater and the oasis between Sheldahl and Ankeny. Each town had something special going on Saturday, and the whole community seemed to be participating.

I started the ride in Woodward. I got there early and parked along the main street. Some Boy Scouts were tending to a fire. There were some guys in Civil War garb… The obligatory church pancake breakfast down the street was hoppin’. I wandered over to the ribbon cutting just as the national anthem was playing and those Boy Scouts were raising the flags. Miss Iowa USA snipped the ribbon and we were on our way.

I knew I had to work in the afternoon, so I got a good jump. I was surprised that my bike calculator said I was riding at about 20 mph. I was feeling great and passing everyone. The first stop was right before the bridge. I said hello to a few friendly faces and got on the bridge.

It didn’t feel like I was on a bridge so high above the water. The bridge is a really solid, comfortable ride. Not too many people had stopped yet to check out the views, so I kept moving.

Madrid had some food stands set up, but it wasn’t even 11 yet, so I just made a once-around of the main strip. I picked up some free snacks (I’m a sucker for free… and snacks) and got back on the trail.

Slater was the next stop. Just as I turned off the trail I saw some familiar faces. Jared and Ron from Skunk River had set up shop on the wrong side of the “no alcohol beyond this point” fence and were helping riders who were having some mechanical problems.

I said a quick hello and headed for the party. I got my “sooner or later you’ll ride through Slater” button, grabbed a burger and an adult beverage and enjoyed the live music for a bit. When I was good and full, I wandered back over to the Skunk River tabernacle to chat with the guys. I quickly realized they didn’t have any pina colada Dum Dums and they weren’t sharing their doughnuts, so I hit the road. I was going to turn around and head back to Woodward, but Jared convinced me that Sheldahl was where it was at. And just another two miles down the road.

Sheldahl was a good call. (Put that on a button). Homemade ice cream and Rice Krispy treats (childhood favorite). Back on the road, I knew I had to get back quick so I could make it back to Des Moines for work.

Once I turned around, I quickly realized that 20 mph on the way there wasn’t just my amazing quads doing what they do best… I had a little help from a tail wind. The 15 miles back were a struggle against the wind. I was lucky to keep moving when I tried to coast. I had made a classic mistake by pushing it hard on the way out, and not considering the trip back.

I stopped in every town praying for a Gatorade… or a four wheeler who would agree to pull me along behind him. Between Slater and Madrid I hooked up with a bagger that was pulling along a stereo and jammed out to some ACDC. (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap always gets my blood pumping.)

Finally back to the bridge I knew I only had a few short miles to go. I pulled over to gather myself and pop in my earphones, took one last look over the bridge and took off for Woodward.

Once back in town, I scanned the area for a Gatorade… None to be seen, so I loaded my bike on the back of the jeep, packed up and headed for the highway.

I stopped at a Casey’s on the outskirts of town for a Gatorade (finally) and a doughnut (it’s a training tradition). I got stuck behind someone who was doing their grocery shopping at Casey’s, and then a lady who was paying for an ice cream cone in pennies… Finally out of there I hit the road and called my mom to tell her about my 30 mile journey. She likes to hear about it before I put it in my blog…

For photos of the ride, click here.