Cedar Valley Tour 2024 July 16 & 16

Cedar Valley Tour 2024 (32 years) July 15 & 16 (Monday and Tuesday) July 15, 2024, MONDAY, start 9am Hiawatha Trail Head. Ride on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail to Overnight in Waterloo, Return to Cedar Rapids on TUESDAY. Starting a day later than usual this year because the Bastille Day Bike Ride falls on a Sunday. Everything is the same as last year, the year before, the year before that and so on. Brandon MiniMart is no more. After many years of decline, they are closed up. Every year someone expresses concern about a bit of trail being impassible. Well, there are countless detours available on nearby local roads. "What's the trail like, what's the condition". We will find out when we get there. As Calvin said: "Let's Go Exploring!" CVT starts at 9:00 am at the Hiawatha trail head on Boyson Road just 2 blocks east of I380. Overnight parking is okay there. For a shorter option you can start your ride at the train depot in Center Point. Overnight parking is okay there too. The short option cuts about 13 miles off the ride each day but you asphalt lovers will miss 13 miles of paved trail. We stop everywhere. Many places to snack or drink and we will take advantage of those.

Overnight motels. Plenty to choose from near the Cross Roads Mall area in Waterloo. Dinner at Panera right across the street from the Days Inn Crossroads (319)235-4461. Plenty of other motels nearby. Panera has outdoor seating. We know the back roads in to Waterloo so we only have 2 blocks of potentially busy road. This is a very flat trail and route. I'll be riding from my house at 8am if you want to join in for some extra miles. Meet up at the Hiawatha trail head at 9 am. Ride slow, stop in every town for snacks and drinks. Carry your own change of clothes and tooth brush. Dinner at Panera across from the motels. There is no trail pass required for the CVNT. This is a regular Hawkeye Bicycle Association ride and helmet use is requested. See you on the ride. Bridge under reconstruction in 2023. All better now.