Second Loess Hills Bicycle Tour completed last week

The second annual Loess Hills Parks & Peaks Bicycle Tour was held September 4-8 in western Iowa's scenic Loess Hills region. The ride began at Lewis & Clark State Park near Onawa. Riders were treated to a keelboat ride and program about Lewis & Clark's expedition on Wednesday evening and camped at the park. 

Boat ride on Blue Lake at Lewis & Clark State Park. photo by Pat Schoening

Solon Olson steers the keelboat on Blue Lake. photo by Pat Schoening

Thursday morning, riders passed through Onawa on their way to the R.T. Reese Homestead cabin, where Monona County Conservation Board naturalist Andrea Porter led a program about Loess Hills flora & fauna. From there, the route went through Turin, Moorhead, and on to the Loess Hills State Forest Brent S. Olson Memorial Visitor Center in Pisgah. Several riders rode to Preparation Canyon State Park and the surrounding State Forest.

Riders pass through rural Monona County. photo by Lance Brisbois

Andrea Porter with Monona County Conservation Board discusses Loess Hills wildlife at Reese Cabin. photo by Pat Schoening

Backroads in Loess Hills State Forest near Moorhead. photo by Pat Schoening

Nutmeg Ave. in rural Monona County. photo by Pat Schoening

Cliff swallow holes and cedar trees on a loess roadcut. photo by Pat Schoening

Overlook trail at Loess Hills State Forest. photo by Pat Schoening

From Pisgah, riders were routed west to Murray Hill, through Little Sioux, River Sioux, and Mondamin, Missouri Valley, and Honey Creek, ending at Hitchcock Nature Center for the evening. Natural Resource Specialist Chad Graeve led a hike and discussed conservation and stewardship in the Loess Hills.

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook. photo by Pat Schoening

Murray Hill Scenic Overlook. photo by Pat Schoening

Two riders coming down Easton Trail from Murray Hill. photo by Lance Brisbois

Terry Castle rides past the Mondamin Unit of the Loess Hills State Forest in Harrison County. photo by Lance Brisbois

Loess Hills State Forest bluffs near Mondamin. photo by Lance Brisbois

Dirt road cut through the Loess Hills. photo by Pat Schoening

Learning about Hitchcock Nature Center's prairies with Chad Graeve. photo by Lance Brisbois

On Saturday, participants took backroads through Crescent and Council Bluffs, where they joined up with the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. The trail took riders through Mineola, Silver City, and Malvern. the final overnight stop.

Riders exploring Council Bluffs. photo by Pat Schoening

Lincoln Monument in Council Bluffs. photo by Pat Schoening

Riders crossing a bridge on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. photo by Pat Schoening

Riders on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. photo by Pat Schoening

Public art in downtown Malvern. photo by Lance Brisbois

Sunday, the final day, passed through Tabor and Thurman before ending at Waubonsie State Park.

Riders on Bluff Road in Fremont County. photo by Pat Schoening

Riders on Bluff Road in Fremont County. photo by Pat Schoening

Rider Pat Schoening's bike at the entrance to Waubonsie State Park, the ride's ending point. photo by Pat Schoening

​The riders had great weather and got to experience many of the most scenic parks and roads in the Loess Hills region while learning what the Loess Hills are and why they matter. Golden Hills is expecting to host the ride for the third time in 2020, coinciding with the Iowa State Parks Centennial.
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Golden Hills would like to thank all the riders and everyone who made the ride a success! Special shoutout to the following sponsors and supporters:
The Nature Conservancy; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; Monona County Conservation Board; Loess Hills Bed & Breakfast; Pottawattamie County Conservation Board; Iowa Bicycle Coalition; SRAM; Malvern Liberty Memorial Board; Dave's Old Home; Moreau's Backerei & Pizzeria; and more! This project was made possible in part by a funding award from the National Park Service and Outdoor Foundation.