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A few cycling snaps
Posted: 11 Aug 2011, 23:47
by 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
Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 12 Aug 2011, 00:31
by Paul K
Huge skies, like East Anglia! Lovely pics.

Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 12 Aug 2011, 00:50
by nigelb
I always enjoy seeing your pictures - thanks!
Nigel²
Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 12 Aug 2011, 07:26
by VEGAS
Wow. That place is flatter than six week old roadkill. Great shots Chris.

Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 12 Aug 2011, 08:26
by Filonian
VEGAS wrote:Wow. That place is flatter than six week old roadkill. Great shots Chris.

Or southern beer
Thanks for posting Chris.
Graham
Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 12 Aug 2011, 15:39
by FlyTexas
Great shots Chris!
Brian
Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 13 Aug 2011, 21:01
by 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

Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 13 Aug 2011, 21:16
by DaveB
That sure is one
funky bridge! Tks for posting Chris
ATB
DaveB

Re: A few cycling snaps
Posted: 14 Aug 2011, 01:11
by 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.