Riding the Decorah, Iowa Trout Trail

We had heard nice things about this trail so we made the 4 hour one way drive to get to Decorah. As soon as we arrived we saw sections of the trail as we drove across town to get to our motel A Super 8 within a block of the trail.

 

Not the fanciest Motel in town, but the price was right through Expedia.com for just a room for a few hours. But it was clean and you can see the trail from the parking lot.

Right next door is the Stone Hearth Inn, great neighborhood 

type Bar and restaurant. Friendly staff and great food!

Another good reason to stay here!

 

Soon we were on our way, the trail starts out from this point, rather flat and no real scenery. That will change soon enough!

There are several artwork pieces along the way, this is called "Walking with the Birds" looking out over the bluff. Not too bad a place to stop, but it is on an uphill section.

Video here

Up the trail a ways you come around a bend and see this sight, too good to pass by without a picture. But a steep incline for a distance to get started again. But we made it up, getting started was hard.

Video here

About 3/4 of the way into the ride you come to the Trout Hatchery. This is just a small sample of the trout in this water. I stepped onto the metal grating that is used to feed them and the water boiled with fish! Though I got that picture, 

but it didn't click!

Over in another pen there were larger trout, almost ready to be released. The netting is there to protect them from the eagles that lurk nearby.

This young bald Eagle is an example, he was sitting nearby, calling to his mother, who was about 100 yards away, to come feed him. He kept calling to her and she flew off and he followed!  No Trout Dinner for him from the Hatchery today!

Here I am coming up on the "River Horizon Archway"

by Iowa City artist Bounnak Thammavong, his impressive sculpture called River Horizon Archway is visible from Highway 9 and honors the area's cold water trout streams.

This view is from the front. 

See the trout at bottom right of the arch.

Insert Video here,

All along the way are all type of wildflowers.

Another unplanned long Ride. 7-23-20

Today our intent was to go the Decorah, IA and ride the Trout Run Trail, an 11 mile loop around Decorah. I didn't research very well and when the Garmin said it was 4 hours one way. A change of plans was initiated. We will still go do Decorah, but make it a several day event, staying home to make an 8 hour round trip worth the driving.

                                       https://parks.decorahia.org/trail-maps

Check it out, lots of Trails to ride/walk.

Quick change of plans we decided to go to Tompson,IL and start out on the Great Mississippi Trail.

We Arrived and parked at the Facilities on the trail outside Tomson, IL.

Soon we were on our way.

Here the trail is very nice! 
South of here the path turns onto, what I believe is a private road and has had a layer of chip and oil applied over a very poor surface preparation, because most of the new chip and oil has come off. Leaving millions of Silver dollar size little plateaus about 1/2 to 3/4 inch high. Making a VERY rough surface. But after a mile or so goes back on to a Bike trail. You will get everything shook up! 

The nicest thing about this trail, 
is the canopy of trees over a lot of the trail.

We actually rode clear to Fulton,IL before turning around. That had not been our intention, 
as by the Hwy 84 it is 8 miles one way.

Here is a short video of a portion of out ride. Need to get a GoPro!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3uJUM36RNY&feature=youtu.be

On our way back we left the trail and travelled about a mile,  
to see Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi.

 Along the causeway was a huge water expanse covered as far as the eye can see of Lily Pads.
And there were several Blue Heron nests in 
amongst the Lilys.

We went up on the Observation Deck, for an 
overall view of the system here.

The dam is impressive and the locks are huge, 
about 650 feet long overall.

The south gate was closed as was the north gate.

I had hoped to see a string of barges go thru, but all we saw was a little pleasure boat, pass thru the lock.

The pleasure boat came into the lock and the gate closed behind them. Then they began lowering the water. 
The ribs on the sides of the locks show the water level.

At the dam, they get from one end of the lock to 
the other on a Delta type Trike.

The darker sides of the locks show where the water level 
was and how much it dropped. About 4 feet.

Once the water level was lowered, 
the gate was opened and the 
Pleasure boat moved on.

Soon we were back on the path and headed back to our starting point. It was an absolutely beautiful day, the temp was in the lower 70's and just a light breeze.

With the side trip it was a little over 20 miles round trip!

                                                                                                                                                                                        Stock Photo

817 W Main St, Thomson, IL 61285

When we arrive back at the trailhead we net a couple from the Chicago area. We chatted with them and they asked if there was a place to eat nearby and we told them about "Dusty's" restaurant about 3 blocks into town, we all went there for lunch.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Stock Photo

831 W Main St, Thomson, IL 61285

Also a couple of doors down is Arnold's Bike Shop, for sales rentals and Repairs.

 After we ate they headed back to the trail
and south and we headed home!

July 21, 2020

Started out on a ride yesterday and near the Feeder canal Gate Keepers house. FLAT

Not a good start, I was planning to replace thew tires with the new ones I had already bought, but wanted to make sure everything was sorted out

A flat is never a good sight!

Fortunately we were only 3 blocks from home, so Judy went and got the Buick Regal TourX to haul it home!

In this picture you are able to see the 

adjustable seat back I made for my Expedition.

So back at home the Cat went up on just the front stands on the Bike Stand and soon both front tires were on.

Just a comparison of the old (less than 500 miles) Just shows a real good reason to stay on

top of your toe in. Ruins tires very quickly if it is off. Mine was a difference of 1" between front and back, should be about a 1/16" wider on the back of the tire!

I don't believe mine was ever set right. 

Live and LEARN! 

The hard and expensive way!

Hill Training

We chose a route today to give us some hill challenges to help get us into shape. We decided to ride across the damn across the Rock River a few blocks from out house and take the trail along to river into Sinnissippi Park and beyond. We did well on all except the hill leading up into the park on the far east end. We made it about 3/4 of the way and mainly improper shifting we ground to a stop! The rest of the hills on our coarse we handled well. Again the two year layoff affected our shifting. 

This picture, Shows a sign warning "Steep Grade Ahead. " That is the hill we came to a halt on, coming from the other direction, going the direction the photo is taken from is a inside wheel lifting hill. 

Some high speeds and tight curves are on the way down. I have to use the brakes to keep from doing that wheel lift! Here we have leveled out.


We proceeded thru the park into Woodlawn Park and out into the country. 

We returned the way we came, shown here is one of the many shelters for picnicking.

On the bluff overlooking the river.

It was a beautiful day for a ride. 

Here is the link to our garmin Report. Be sure to click on the arrow at the bottom of the Satellite View, to follow along on our ride!

Click on Link!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5266889657

Long Ride July 18.2020

We started out about 9:00 and it was starting to get warm, we were riding into a moderate breeze as we headed down the canal. It was smoother than i remember the last ride on it 2 years ago. Lots of trash on the trail as the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources tends to blow cut vegetation onto the path when they mow. I have pointed this out before but it continues. We rode as far south as Bridge 50 and then got off onto Star Road or Route 172 and headed east to Hickory Hills Road, we followed it to Gaulrapp Road and headed north to Buehl Road to get back on the canal to head home. When we got home it was really hot and we were soaked  in perspiration. Close to 20 miles, or longest ride this season, so far. I am happy on the way the Trike performed.  Just a couple more bugs to work out! 

First Picture is a Selfie, I don't do them often, 

now I remember why! 

This picture we are coming up to Buehl Road. 

The last picture is a few miles south of Buehl Road.

Click on the link

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5256781469

July 16, 2020 Back at it!

We started riding again this week, the Falco System has made it a pleasure to ride again. It is so nice to just RIDE. We have been riding about 10 miles a day to get back in shape after a 2 year layoff. Today was an absolutely beautiful day to ride!

As we were riding along Shore Acres, 

I saw these beautiful Lilies.

These were especially pretty!

This yellow one must be a type of Calla Lily.

Near the end of our ride we stopped at the 

Ardini Boat Launch Parking lot for a water break. 

Nice view of the upper dam and Sterling in the background.

2020 - A New Start!

I can hardly believe it that it has been 3 years since I posted on here.

Things got worse health wise, to the point I couldn't ride, my lack of stamina and shortness of breath took away one of the greatest  joys, RIDING!

First I tried a SunTrike Tadpole, nice trike, but not what I wanted, 

So then I tried a Catrike, that is what I was looking for.

I actually rode for about a year and had a great year with it, but the following year, I just couldn't manage it.  So our riding was greatly cut back and last year no riding at all.

 I made several trips to the VA in Iowa City, by the way GREAT facility,

But they were unable to solve my problem and their efforts are ongoing.

The majority of my issues are related to Agent Orange exposure.

BUT, my desire to get outside and ride did not decrease. SO, I decided to buy a Falco System, to help me ride, when I just couldn't make it up that hill. I also made an adjustable backrest for my Catrike Expedition. Preliminary test ride, I hit 28 MPH on setting 4, without even trying, will have to dial that back when Judy and I riding together!

With nice days coming I need to make a few adjustments and get out there and RIDE!

Look for that post!