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I took off in the middle, at parking area D. South of Bader bridge. I use my 29er with 2.2 inch tires. They received 0.35 inches of rain the night before. The ride was cool and humid with cloud cover for most of the ride. Trail is packed fairly well with gravel on top. Very similar to most Nebraska gravel roads. Took off to the south toward Marquette. The mile 3.5-5 heading south was tree covered so much so that it stopped the breeze from reaching me. Cross highway 14, and quite a bit of the trail has trees on both sides, but sky above. Keeping you shaded and allowing somewhat of a breeze to reach you. About mile marker 6.5 the trail opened up more and I noticed a lot more loose crushed concrete on the trail. The last 2 miles into Marquette is fairly open. Crop ground on either side or trees. Through Marquette, the trail was really soft as I’m guessing the elevator traffic has rough it up quite a bit. The trail condition south of Marquette is not ideal. Definitely larger rocks that are loser. Can also tell where farmers have checked on their fields and used the trail with a side-by-side. Got to the end of the trail at a really cool bridge that is over the gravel road. Too bad the trail doesn’t continue past the bridge I turned around and headed north. Saw my first other trail user about 2 miles south of Bader bridge. Road for over 11 miles before seeing another person on the trail. I continued North across the Bader Bridge, saw several people on the bridge in a few people between the bridge and Central City walking. That section of trail is in pretty good shape, crushed limestone one deep spot that took me by surprise but otherwise in good shape. The area between the bridge and Central city has very few trees. It is mostly open. From the bridge over the gravel road south of Marquette all the way to Highway 30 in Central City is 10 miles. Don’t let the 8.3 miles fool you! Overall, the trail is in pretty good shape. I would definitely want mountain bike tires, not gravel tires. I would say half of the trail is shaded by trees during the day.
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
Great trails with beautiful views and strong local support!
Photo shown is not from this trail. It has well maintained concrete paving and is a pleasant ride. Hormel park is beautiful to ride through and has abundant wildlife. There are also unpaved trails in the park that would be easily biked, but for occasional downed trees. View of the Platte River in one spot, no significant fishing access or picnic area. Beautiful, easy ride from Fremont Lakes SRA.
I was traveling through on my way back to Ohio, but I wanted to ride on portions of this trail. I had stayed overnight in Chadron and saw the trail along the road as I drove east. That part was rough looking and not finished as per TrailLink. I never did find a location of a trail head in that area. I stopped in Rushville to see the trail there. The 15 miles between Rushville and Gordon were complete, so the crushed stone was a much better surface. Due to lack of time and not wanting to bike against 25-30 mph winds, I went on to Valentine. I parked in the lot by a grocery store, which was close to the trail. I wasn't sure where else to park in town. I rode the trail to the bridge. While researching this trail, TrailLink had said that the Nicobara Bridge over the Niobrara River was closed, but I was at least hoping to see it. In fact, it was open. It was awesome to see and the views were great. It was a little nerve racking with the winds at 25-30 mph and higher gusts, I felt like I was going to blow over the railing. :-) I went to the parking area on the other side and turned around. I then biked to the trailhead on the west side of Valentine. There is a good ice cream shop on Main Street for those who like to bike to eat treats.
I then drove to Norfolk. The next morning I went to the trailhead there and biked 5 miles out and 5 back. The surface was cement for the first 2 miles, but then changed to crushed stone. Still a good surface. The trail went through the country and along the Elkhorn River.
I did the 2 endpoints, so maybe someday I will ride the middle portion.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
The trail was completely open and well maintained. Well worth the 40 minute drive from Two Rivers State Park where we were camping!
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
Nice towns along the way. Good history. Various places to camp/stay. The trail is wide, well groomed and is mostly free from weeds or any overgrowth. But tire tracks from maintenance equipment can create a rough washboard effect along the trail.
In the red aggregate areas there is so much loose red aggregate that sometimes it is very hard to pedal and navigate through. Then the crushed limestone portions are pretty good. Issue is the trail will alternate back and forth with some sections of the really loose red aggregate and some sections of nice crushed limestone.
Use caution in loose material at road crossings (especially in sandier soil areas in western portions of the trail).
No trailheads. Source your own water and find own restrooms in towns along the way. No bulletin boards to post communications so check ahead online for trail closures and detours.
I did not have an issue with the puncturevine many speak of but be prepared for it in case you do.
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