By apearlb in July, 2011
My husband and I have been going to this area at least once every summer since 1998. We usually camp at the Old Barn Resort outside of Preston with our three boys these days. From the campground it's a short trip into Lanesboro and beyond. Nice easy trail to ride with children, although on weekends later in the day it can be quite busy on stretches. We like to leave early in the morning and have breakfast in Lanesboro when we visit. For a more challenging ride you can head towards Preston and on to Harmony. Both are beautiful rides and we always enjoy our time in the towns. Plenty of restaurants, B&B's and campgrounds to fit a variety of tastes, especially for the small towns around the trail. A good summer outing.
By mlbattani in October, 2010
Rode from Lanesboro to Rushford weekend of Oct. 16, 2010. Some of the trees were past peek but it was still beautiful. Trail was in great condition. Pretty flat. Trees most of the way. Plenty of amenities along the route. Most of the campgrounds around the area are pretty nice. We stayed at Eagle Cliff it was really pretty settled between two cliffs next to the river. No problem getting to the trail from there.
In Lanesboro the only real good eats were at Root on the River. Also ate at Chat and Chew, Peddle Pushers and it wasn't anything to get excited about. The Aroma Pie Shop in Whalen is excellent and a great reward for a long ride. When you get to Rushford I would suggest riding west into town to eat. Once you cross the bridge to the south is the Feed Mill Cafe, a great historic building that was recently renovated into a sandwich shop. Serves soup and sandwiches and desserts. If you have ATT phone service you will get NO signal in this area.
By asinca in September, 2010
Rode this trail two days ago from Rushford to Lanesboro. That was the longest stretch that was rideable due to heavy rains that cause many washouts. The Mississippi was about one foot over flood stage at nearby LaCrosse. One part of the trail was waist deep under water. The trail surface was pretty good but a couple of sinkholes under the trail have left small but growing holes. They need to address those holes and the others not quite through to the surface yet. At one point the trail was washed out for about 50 feet in three inches of deep mud. I got lucky and was able to stay on my bike only because someone drove through it with a car or pickup clearing a tire path for me to stay in. If you ride this trail be sure to go to Aroma Pies in Whalen. Their pie is homemade and wonderful. It is right on the trail. The folks in charge of this trail did get warnings online right away about the washouts so I knew about them but decided to ride since I was in the area. The damage is not severe so it should be easy to clean at least what I saw of it. But they better get at all those sinkholes. The white paint marking them was helpful but not a fix.