The way points of this bicycle route:
You can start the route in various locations, but I suggest Fareway, in either location in Iowa City. For this particular route, we'll be starting at the Eastside Fareway.
Turn left on Commence Drive.
Turn left on Liberty Drive.
Turn right onto Scott Blvd. I recommend using the extra-wide sidewalks here, as traffic can be high at times on the road.
Cross the train tracks. Get ready for a 100ft climb.
Scott & Muscatine intersection. Busy at times. After crossing, prepare to build your speed on the descent, so you have enough for the ascent following shortly thereafter :).
Cross Court Street. This is another busy intersection, but at least there are traffic signals here. Prepare for another set of uphill/downhill combonations.
Somewhat busy intersection, but you shouldn't have too much trouble here. Another downhill/uphill adventure awaits you after crossing.
You can spot I-80 off in the distance from here. A pretty nice view in general, I feel.
Cross First Avenue.
This intersection can be tricky. There's no sidewalk on the other side, so you'll have to cross partway into the street. Just be watchful for traffic turning left and you should be fine.
Cross Prairie du Chein Road here.
Turn right onto Governor St.
Turn left onto Kimball Road. You can stay in the street here as traffic is fairly timid. If you're feeling up for another mile or two, turn right here, and then turn left on Whiting Ave.
This will be a fairly tricky, if not the worst street to cross. Plan your crossing right and you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Curve right onto Park Road. Be ware of the narrow sidewalk crossing the bridge atop the Iowa River.
You can save eight miles if you turn left and follow the Iowa River Corridor Trail from here all the way to Napoleon Park. It's your choice. Otherwise, follow the trail into City Park.
The trail splits here. I prefer the left one personally simple for the view of the Riverside Theatre and the City Park Pond. This particular path is also smoother.
Continue straight on Manor Drive. You can stick to the street here.
Turn left onto Normandy Drive.
Turn right onto Park Road.
This can be a pain of an intersection to cross. Not only is this a high traffic area, but you have to make not one, but TWO crossing.
This is the second crossing. Be forewarned that traffic coming from the right DOES NOT STOP.
Turn right to follow the Finkbine Trail to Mormon Trek Blvd.
Turn left onto Mormon Trek Blvd. Your stay in Coralville is quite short!
Cross Mormon Trek Blvd. here via Hawkeye Park Road.
When the trail splits into two, keep to the left here.
Cross Melrose Avenue here. Follow the sidewalk dor street towards West High School
Continue to follow the street past the parking lot. Look for the pathway extending from the right side.
The pathway joins with the Willow Creek Trail here. You can go left or right here. If you want to save a mile go left, and then right onto Mormon Trek Blvd.
If you went right the first time, turn left onto Shannon Drive when the trail ends. Get ready for a few hills after here.
Turn left onto Rohret Road. There is a wide sidewalk AND a bike lane here.
You can follow Rohret Rd. to Mormon Trek Blvd. if you'd like. Else, simply cut through using the trail here.
Turn left onto Rushmore Dr. when the trail ends.
Cross Mormon Trek Blvd. to the other side here.
This will be another tricky intersection to cross for many reasons. It's a high traffic intersection, and a high speed one too. You'll have to be watchful on the traffic coming onto Mormon Trek from both sides. The ending result will be worth it though, I promise you!
While this is technically a high speed road, it's usually pretty quiet. You can use the wide sidewalk provided, or stick to the street. Cars will have plenty of clearance space to get around you, so it's fairly safe.
Don't worry, this section of road is now completed!
This will be a tricky road to cross. It's a high speed roadway and sometimes it can be busy. Until they put a traffic signal here, just be careful!
Turn left onto Riverside Drive. I'm sure you'll agree this is much preferred over Old Hwy 218.
Riverside Drive will merge with Old Highway 218 here. Traffic speeds are a little more bearable here, but be careful. There is a very small dirt trail here formed by bicycle use, so you can use that if you'd like.
I recommend a little detour here. Turn right into the Transit Station. Then cut through the grass. Stick to the shoulder here on U.S. Hwy 6, and WALK across the bridge. Don't worry, you won't be on this chaotic road for long.
Turn right onto the gravel road here. Follow it to the bottom.
Phew, safe and sound. Follow the Iowa River Corridor Trail south from here. If you want to save two miles, follow the Hwy 6 Trail all the way to Pepperwood Plaza.
Eventually, the trail will cross the river here towards where we had originally came from. Anways, turn right onto the paved shoulder of Sand Road here.
Turn right onto Sycamore Street.
Continue straight here. If you want to save a mile, turn left instead, but you'll be faced with a few hills, and by this point, you might be somewhat tired.
Look for the trail on the left side.
Turn right onto Lakeside Drive. The street is wide enough here for safe bicycling.
Highway 6 again? Yes, but at least there's a newly developed trail here now! You won't see it right away. Turn right onto the road that leads to the M&M Mart.
The trail begins here.
Currently, the trail ends here, but fear not, there are paved shoulders here. They are a bit narrow in my opinion, but better than nothing. Traffic is high speed here, and sometimes can be heavy, so watch out.
Turn left onto 420th St, and then left back onto Commerce Drive.
Turn left back into Fareway.
Nice job! You've just ridden along nearly the entire Iowa City city limits! Hope you enjoyed the ride! :)
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Tagged with: Recreational, Onroad, Smooth, Basic, Offroad, Urban, Rural, Scenic
