The way points of this bicycle route:
Welcome! There's plenty of parking here if you are transporting your bike from a motor vehicle. This is also a nice access point for the Sand Road bike trail that heads 8 miles south towards Hills, IA. (A pretty flat, easy path, with low traffic).
Watch out for the train tracks, they can be a bit rough. Take a look and see if the animals are out from the local shelter. Be warned of a few bumps ahead on the path.
Past the Recycling Facility. More train tracks here.
You have a choice here. Cross the street at the stoplight, or go under the bridge to the other side. Closed during high water.
Take the first right after crossing the Benton Street Bridge. There's a small monument detailing the history of the bridge. Stop if you'd like. Continue alongside the Iowa River.
On a hot day, nothing hits the spot more than stopping at the DQ. Chances are, there will be some bicyclists as well as it's the perfect spot for a quick break.
Be very careful at this intersection. Drivers have several opportunities to turn right at the stoplight and often will not be paying attention to you. The crosswalk is short, so if you can't make it, wait in the middle. Watch out for the curve at the end.
No intersection worries here! You have to walk your bike underneath the narrow underpass. If you have a bell, I suggest ringing it to let others know of your presence. Watch out for incoming pedestrians and bikers who fail to follow the rules. Get back on your bike when you've reached the other side.
Limited visibility here and a bit narrow.
Hancher is on your left.
Sometimes a crowded road. Be careful when you cross.
Turn right towards City Park. Then decide on taking either the left path (long) or the right path (short). Both will end up joining again later in the route. Take the left route to get a better view of the Riverside Theatre.
The paths join again here.
On a nice day during the summer, there may be a small carnival going on at the park. And there will often be lots of ducks around near the river. There are plenty of places to rest if you're feeling tired.
The path splits again here. Go right for the longer path. Left for the shorter one. During the summer, there are fountains and a public restroom on the left path next to the tennis and baseball areas.
From here, you'll need to ride in the street for a little bit. Continue on Manor Drive.
Turn left onto Normandy Drive.
Turn right here. The path is narrow, and there are many driveways. The path will widen at the bottom of the hill.
Turn right to continue on the trail, or keep on Rocky Shore Drive and Cross U.S Highway 6 (Second Street) and continue on the University Trail system. If you go this route, follow the trail into the woods.
Cross the railroad tracks (Rough again) and head towards First Avenue. Follow the sidewalk towards U.S. Highway 6 (Second Street).
It may seem intimidating at first, but this is a pretty good crosswalk overall. Watch for drivers near the end. Continue towards the Railroad Bridge that is overhead.
If you took the University Trail behind the UI Softball complex, you'll head up here.
Cross here towards the Sports Complex.
Turn right here. Further down you'll have the option of checking out the Mormon campsite. (The narrow path to the right)
Turn right here on the narrow path to check out the Mormon Site. Else continue on the main path across the creek.
Continue on the main trail to the left, else you can head right also towards 12th Avenue in Coralville.
Cross the bridge, then cross the street.
Cross the railroad tracks, and then Highway 6 towards the Coral Ridge Mall.
Cross 25th Avenue and follow the trail on the right. Careful here as traffic from 25th Avenue DOES NOT STOP.
You can lock your bike up at the Mall. Grab some food, shop, rest, whatever you desire. I strongly advice resting here as the next part of the route is a bit hilly (and there's no real rest stops until North Liberty, five miles away). When you're ready, take a right and go underneath the I-80 Bridge.
Keep left here, and then turn left onto the bridge.
Turn right here. Be prepared for a fairly decent hill.
Turn left here to continue on the trail. Max Speed is 20mph here.
Limited sight distance here. Here the elevation will quickly drop and then rise again on the other side. Get a good start and you just might make it without too much trouble!
Turn left after crossing Oakdale Blvd. Then you get the wonderful chance to...yes, cross the same train tracks you've cross several times now! :)
Turn right when you see the trail. From here, it's to North Liberty. Elevation is fairly hilly here, but nothing you haven't seen before.
Welcome to North Liberty! Cross Zeller Street here.
Congrats on having made it this far. You can rest at the Aquatic Center if you'd like. Check out the businesses on Dubuque Street (Old Hwy 218) When you're ready, it's time to head back to Iowa City.
Turn left at the first trail you see that heads into the woods.
Cross 12th Avenue here.
Continue straight here towards the school, or head across the bridge.
Turn right towards the bridge.
Traffic on 1st Avenue (North Liberty Road) DOES NOT STOP. (Speed limit 45mph). Cross here. By the way, Brown Deer is a very popular golf course in Coralville.
Oakdale will someday continue onward, but for now, turn left on Pembrokeshire Drive.
Turn right on Lincolnshire Drive.
Turn left if you'd like to go to the Coralville Dam, else, turn right to head back to Iowa City.
Turn right after crossing the bridge towards the park.
Continue underneath the bridge.
Turn left on Foster Road
Turn right back onto the trail near Dubuque Street.
Watch for cars here. It's not called the "Speedway" for nothing!
Turn right at the stoplight, or cross now and turn right on the other side.
Head back towards Hancher.
Watch for incoming students and some hidden stairs from bridges.
Congrats! You made it! By now, you've probably topped out past 30 miles. Rest. You've earned it! Hope you enjoyed the ride! :)
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
Tagged with: Recreational, Smooth, Basic, Offroad, Urban
