DSM Bike Notes

05/31/2025

What a delightful adventure today! I went an hour south of Des Moines to ride the Cinder Path Trail, which was the very first rail trail in the state.

I got on at Chariton and rode through flat, marshy, wooded countryside. The trail is almost totally shaded. I saw tons of chipmunks, rabbits and a doe with her fawn.

The trail is crushed rock, but there isn't a whole lot of it. It could really use a little TLC, and I imagine it's not so fun during wetter times. But, it is still a really nice ride.

I rode 10 miles into the tiny town of Derby, and got the best surprise: the main street! I love ghost towns and while Derby still has about 90 people, one block of "downtown" was a row of abandoned and dilapidated buildings, except for the post office.

The trail actually continues for a few more miles to Humeston, but I've read that stretch is in pretty bad shape. So I rode back into Chariton, got a burrito at a food truck and a little bit of ice cream for the road.

Have you ever ridden this trail? If not, it is worth a try!

05/24/2025

🥃 Distillery
🥩 BBQ joint
🥤 Soda shop

All three could soon be popping up in a pretty unique spot along the Chichaqua Valley Trail in City of Bondurant, Iowa Government.

READ ALL ABOUT IT & SUBSCRIBE!

New Distillery, Rerouted Trail On The Way

05/23/2025

05/22/2025

Hey, look at that! Thanks for all the follows!

05/21/2025

Bad news about the Raccoon River Valley Trail's "lighted bridge" just east of Adel.

Dallas Co. Conservation Dept. director Curt Cable tells me it will take at least a year to repair the damage from last week's fire. Cable said May 2026 is the "absolute best case scenario" for reopening.

Here are the variables they're up against:
-Funding: This is an unexpected $896,000 project, and it was not in the budget
-Getting proper permits for working in a flood plain
-Design
-Construction

Cable says all of those things "must not miss a beat" for the bridge to reopen in May 2026.

Cable says the current closure (Ortonville to just east of Adel) is still on track to end by late summer/early fall once construction on three other bridges is complete.

However, repairs on the lighted bridge will cut off access to Adel for westbound riders. Eastbound riders will be cut off from Waukee. Cable says the closure will be "significant" and that it could really hurt businesses that rely on the trail.

DSM Bike Notes is the only local news source that's 100% dedicated to covering cycling news in the Des Moines area. Subscribe for free at DSMBikeNotes.com.

*Photo courtesy: Dallas Co. Sheriff's Office

05/20/2025

Several trails closed in the City of Des Moines

05/20/2025

FYI 🚧

**Update** The Clive Greenbelt Trail is now open at 86th and 114th Street.

**Original Post**
Due to high water on Walnut Creek, the Clive Greenbelt Trail is closed at 86th and 114th Street.

05/16/2025

Bacoon Ride is a go! The detour route around the fire-damaged bridge has been approved. Here's the info from Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

05/12/2025

RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL BRIDGE FIRE LATEST:

Dallas Co. Conservation Director Curt Cable tells me he doesn’t have any more info from what the sheriff’s office released earlier today – the bridge has significant damage and is currently unsafe. He expects to have more info in the coming days. I will be asking about how the fire will impact the timeline for reopening the section of trail that’s been closed for the construction project on three other bridges. The trail (from Ortonville to Adel) was set to reopen by late summer/early fall – but will that timeline hold?

BACooN RIDE – the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is organizing the event set for June 14. Executive director Luke Hoffman emphatically told me the ride WILL GO ON! He says he’s currently working with stakeholders (Dallas Co Conservation, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT, etc) to get permission to use part of Hwy. 6, from S. 6th St. in Adel to Prospect Ave. just east of town (see image for proposed detour route from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition). Hoffman hopes to have a plan finalized by as early as tomorrow (Tuesday), or later this week.

DSM Bike Notes is the only local news source that's 100% dedicated to covering cycling news in the Des Moines area! Subscribe for free at DSMBikeNotes.com.

05/12/2025

⚠️⚠️⚠️

🚧 Trail Closure Notice 🚧

The Kruidenier Trail at Gray’s Lake will be closed for resurfacing May 13–15. While the work may only take one day, we’re providing a buffer for weather and crew availability. A short detour will be in place to keep you moving safely around the lake.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve your trail experience!

🔗 dsm.city/trails

05/11/2025

Where'd you ride this weekend?

I just got back from a trip up and down the Gay Lea Wilson Trail! I love that trail for a lot of reasons: beautiful and varied scenery, lots of shade, nice and flat, and most importantly, its proximity to Granny's Sweet Freeze Shoppe. Here's a look at some of my ride!