High Trestle Trail - Madrid, IA advice

[Jambalaya]

We are heading that way for the first time this weekend. Probably start at the midway point, head west across the bridge, and return.

How is the foot and bike traffic on a summer holiday weekend?

We're on hybrids.... any strollers and dog walkers I need to worry about?

A good starting point? We want to ride around 30 miles round trip

A good place to stop for lunch?

I have researched a couple websites....just looking for other opinions. Thanks in advance

 

[baller21]

You could start in Slater and go to the bridge and back. The Flat Tire in Madrid is a good place to stop for a drink and a bite to eat.

The Nighthawk in Slater and The Whistlin Donkey in Woodward are also popular places to wet your whistle.

 

[Storkenheimer]

We are heading that way for the first time this weekend. Probably start at the midway point, head west across the bridge, and return.

How is the foot and bike traffic on a summer holiday weekend?

We're on hybrids.... any strollers and dog walkers I need to worry about?

A good starting point? We want to ride around 30 miles round trip

A good place to stop for lunch?

I have researched a couple websites....just looking for other opinions. Thanks in advance

It will be busy most weekends. You will be able to see people with dogs and strollers for a while before you get to them (its a flat trail) so it should be no concern.

Slater to Woodward and back is about 25 miles. If you head south a few miles past Slater, you can get to 30 round trip.

Im not sure about food, usually i opt for a liquid diet on the trail

Enjoy!

 

[michaelrr1]

I went for the first time today, from Madrid to Woodward and back. Pretty flat and straight so you can see what's ahead of you easily. I'll want to go at night when the bridge is lit up.

 

[JP4CY]

Night Hawk in Slater has good bar style food. Gonna be great weekend.

 

[norsemen]

We usually ride the Slater-Madrid-Woodward leg as it gives you the most restaurants/bars plus you get to cross the high bridge. Slater has a large parking lot/trailhead just off Highway 210. Madrid has a nice trailhead on Highway17 with parking and restrooms. The Flat Tire Lounge sits next to the trail and has a nice deck with beer and food. There is also a nice ice cream place (the Filling Station) and other restaurants off the trail in town As you head west be careful as there are usually several groups walking to the bridge so slow down. Woodward trailhead is very nice with water and restrooms plus parking. Plus the Whistlin' Donkey is there with a large outdoor deck and good bar food.

The trail south of Slater is more rural and less developed until you get to Ankeny.

There is a large, organized Full Moon ride on the Madrid portion Friday night so the trail will be crowded.

Overall, a great trail to ride with friends and family.

 

[im4cyclones]

There is a parking lot between Madrid and the bridge. That is the busiest section of the trail with walkers because that is the closest spot to the bridge to park. Outside of that, there aren't too many walkers. Sometimes a jogger or two. The bridge is the low point so it is a slight incline when you leave it in either direction - old railroad track so nothing bad. We rode from Ames to Slater and then caught the trail. The nice thing is there was a bar just about every 5 miles (Westown Pub, Kelley, Nighthawk in Slater, Flat Tire in Madrid, and the Donkey in Woodward).

 

[Jambalaya]

Thank you for the info! much appreciated

 

[theshadow]

The nice thing is there was a bar just about every 5 miles (Westown Pub, Kelley, Nighthawk in Slater, Flat Tire in Madrid, and the Donkey in Woodward).

Now that's RAGBRAI training.

 

[SerenityNow]

This is such a timely thread - we're heading there for our first trip tonight. Should be fun!

 

[brianhos]

Park in woodward and ride 15 miles and then turn back.

I am thinking of doing ankeny to woodward and back in the morning.

 

[ajk4st8]

There is a parking lot between Madrid and the bridge. That is the busiest section of the trail with walkers because that is the closest spot to the bridge to park. Outside of that, there aren't too many walkers. Sometimes a jogger or two. The bridge is the low point so it is a slight incline when you leave it in either direction - old railroad track so nothing bad. We rode from Ames to Slater and then caught the trail. The nice thing is there was a bar just about every 5 miles (Westown Pub, Kelley, Nighthawk in Slater, Flat Tire in Madrid, and the Donkey in Woodward).

Just make sure to mix in a few waters! I've seen some REALLY REALLY drunk people on the trail.

 

[carvers4math]

I guess I prefer south of Slater to the crowded part. Went Slater-Madrid-Woodward part with my brother and it was crowded and lots of people who drank too much somewhere relieving themselves. I kind of prefer the less people, more nature part.

 

[JP4CY]

I guess I prefer south of Slater to the crowded part. Went Slater-Madrid-Woodward part with my brother and it was crowded and lots of people who drank too much somewhere relieving themselves. I kind of prefer the less people, more nature part.

Try the Bondurant trail sometime, not a ton of traffic on that yet.

 

[Wesley]

http://www.traillink.com/trail/wabash-trace-nature-trail.aspx Nightime biking.