This trail is now paved and it's very smooth. I started in Cresco where there isn't a clearly defined trailhead; heading eastward you ride on a wide concrete sidewalk for a mile or 2; then after turning south it turns into asphalt the rest of the way. Most of the way small trees & bushes shield you from the prairie winds; the scenery is pretty much farm buildings, fields & pasture. I passed only one other biker and a county guy spraying weeds who was very friendly. About half ways you go thru tiny Ridgeway on poorly marked streets; at the southern end of Ridgeway there is a nice trailhead (except the bathrooms are terrible). There are benches, parking & a water pump (which I didn't try).

Onward towards Calmar & it's more of the same except for the last few miles which are a little hilly with more trees. The trailhead in Calmar is an old railroad depot. There's a "Mom & Pop" restaurant directly across the street from it (with many old photos displayed). Both Calmar & Cresco seem to have lots of older buildings & history worth investigating. This trail is only 20 miles or so south of Harmony, MN with its famous "Harmony-Preston/Root River" trails; definately worth a side trip for something new.

My wife and I had an opportunity to ride this trail on a hot, windy August Saturday. Traffic was very low, we were well buffered from the wind in most places and the trail was in excellent shape.

Pros:

* Great new asphalt surface.
* Just enough cover to dampen the wind in an otherwise exposed area.
* Pretty Northeast IA countryside and farmland beyond trail.
* More butterflies than I have seen on any trail.
* Not crowded at all.

Cons:

* Lots of road noise between Cresco and Ridgeway.
* Not enough mature cover for much wildlife.
* Forced to the streets going through Ridgeway.