The Trace remains as beautiful as ever. I've been riding it since 1995 and continue to enjoy its beauty and near complete solitude in certain stretches. Currently I'm walking with my new adopted dog varying iterations between MP 405, Wabash Avenue, to MP 401 not far beyond Dumfries and no longer mapped formally. I've ridden between the trailhead and Malvern extensively. The varying terrain, backyards, old railroad bridges, flora and fauna are endlessly fascinating.

Trail etiquette is generally very good although some cyclists still do not announce an imminent pass. With the quality of bikes these days as well as the excellent trail condition, it's difficult to hear them coming until it's almost too late to react.

I'm from California and have lived both north and south as well as in St. Louis both with vast trail systems or on-road riding opportunities. I survived the Downieville Downhill. Still, discovering the Trace just a mile from my house has been a long-term positive experience not found even in areas with better climate.

As an aside, the path also winds from the Trailhead north through west Council Bluffs to Playland Park where you can ride or walk over the new Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge across the Missouri River. This is a beautiful suspension bridge that ends in a pedestrian mall on the Omaha side. There are further paved paths north and south of the bridge although they are currently stubs. There's a fun restaurant right at the base and you're quite close to trendy shops and restaurants [primarily evening dining] a few blocks south in the Old Market.

"After reading the previous reviews, I expect a rough and difficult trail. I found just the opposite. We rode from the Council Bluffs trailhead and experienced a very enjoyable ride. Yes, there were a few bridges that had nailheads showing and a few gopher holes, but overall the trail was in good shape. We only rode for 20 miles so I can only speak for the portion we rode. The first 6 miles was up hill gradually, but was great coming back. "

"We drove up from Kansas City to ride this 63 mile rail-trail through Iowa. We went all the way from Blanchard to Council Bluffs on Saturday and back to Blanchard on Sunday.

From reading past posts on this trail, I see that most of the negative issues from past posts have been addressed by the people who take care of the trail. For instance the town of Coin now has water and a restroom in a park right next to the trail. A prior post complained of no services.

This is a wild trail ride for bike riders who travel on flatter trails or through more populated areas. This means that you need to be prepared for a much more self sustaining ride.

The ride is pretty hard due to the hill grades. We averaged only 8 mile per hour with luggage packs. We normally ride better than 10 miles an hour on other rail trails. So it was 8 hours going and 9 hours getting back. The pay back on the hills were numerous down hills of a mile or so where you did not have to peddle at all.

The places to get water are pretty much limited to Coin, Shanadoah, Malvern, and Council Bluffs. Riders should bring enough water to last them 3 or 4 hours on a hot day. You do not want to get dehydrated on this remote trail.

There are critters that have dug a series of bowling ball sized holes in the center crack in the trail in several stretches, particularly north of Coin. You have to keep an eye open or you could get thrown off your bike hitting these holes. There is also a pair of cattle guards at one trail crossing that you should walk over.

The transition from trail to bridges are sometimes 3 or more inches and could give you a pinch flat, so you have to be careful on and off the bridges. I would suggest a rider bring more than one spare inner tube. If you have one flat you will be paranoid about getting a second one.

You occationally broad head nails sticking up 1/2 inch or more on bridges which could tear your tire and no inner tube will save you. You would need a new tire.

There is little or no cell phone service for some stretches. You are really alone. Ride with a friend. Be prepared.

Having said all of that, the ride really is beautiful. The rolling hills give you great vistas of countryside. People have ""adopted"" stretches of the trail and have kept it up. Signs tell you who has adopted the trail as you travel.

There is no debris on the trail. We could see fresh tractor tread prints where equipment had recently hauled fallen trees off the trail and we saw big tractors mowing the shoulders as we rode. It was really wonderful to see so much care taken to this linear park. The only negative is that the less used southern end of the trail is weedy compared to the north end.

There are lots of rivers and creeks that are crossed with bridges and several of them have very nice views.

In Shanadoah, we stopped at the Depot Deli which is also a brewery. It is in a rehabbed train depot on the intersecting rail easement in town (on Railroad Ave). The service and food were great. The staff brought us a big pitcher of ice water when we came in and sat down.

Malvern has an ice cream parlor called Pat's that you can see from the trail.

We stayed at the Western Inn in Council Bluffs. You can ride to it on a trail parallel to Highway 92 through the School for the Deaf next to the trail head and then up the bike trail next to Valley View Road up to Madison Avenue.

The trail head at Blanchard was somewhat confusing since there were no signs. We found the trail and parked our car at the top of the hill by the post office.

We found the ""permit"" stations in neglect. Most had no forms, envelopes, or permits. Only cobwebs. We found one with a supply of mailing envelopes in a baggy and will mail the money to the trail.

This was a great ride over all. It took 17 hours to complete and was one heck of a ""spin class""."