A few cycling snaps

[cjw50310]

Took a little jaunt on a newly converted trail today. The trail's a former rail right-of-way that was rehabbed for cyclist. Took a few snaps whilst on the way.

What most people think of on this side of the pond when they hear Iowa:





The rail bridge over the Des Moines River:









The river valley; the muddy bits are from the last few year's floods:





Thanks for looking,
Chris

[Paul K]

Huge skies, like East Anglia! Lovely pics.

[nigelb]

I always enjoy seeing your pictures - thanks!

Nigel²

[VEGAS]

Wow. That place is flatter than six week old roadkill. Great shots Chris.

[Filonian]

Wow. That place is flatter than six week old roadkill. Great shots Chris.

Or southern beer


Thanks for posting Chris.


Graham

[FlyTexas]

Great shots Chris!

Brian

[speedbird591]

Thanks for those pics, Chris. I really enjoy seeing your big landscapes.

How far does that trail run? How many miles can you go before the trail peters out?

Ian

[DaveB]

That sure is one funky bridge! Tks for posting Chris

ATB
DaveB

[cjw50310]

Ian - point to point, the trail is about 40 km, Thursday's trip was around 80km, with a few diversions. There are plans afoot to connect this new trail to an existing rail-to-trail path that runs about 120 km, and other plans to connect to the trail that runs past my house. In theory, I will soon be able to do a huge loop without having to drive to a trailhead, which would be awesome.

I'm afraid the photos don't do justice to the bridge, and this is the second incarnation of it. When the Union Pacific abandoned the right of way, they took the steel spans and recycled them for a new bridge up river a bit. For few years all that stood were the piers. Somehow, the funds were raised to install the concrete spans and decorative arches; they're even lit at night.

The first trip across was a bit hairy; it's about 800 meters long, and about 55 meters over the river at the highest bits and maybe 3 meters wide. As one who suffers a bit of acrophobia from time to time, it was a good challenge.