July 19, 2025
Day 49 KOA south of Waterloo, IA to Eldora, IA
Trails through the city and along the Cedar River plus south and then secondary roads.
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I stayed at the KOA campground for less $$ than many of the more rustic campgrounds in Maryland and Ohio. I new it was going to be storming in the morning so I was sure to cover the tent with the rain fly and secure it well. IT WAS STORMY IN THE MORNING! I didn't get out of my tent until after 9 am and didn't get on my 65 mile ride until after 10 am.
Once I got going I rode to the Cedar River Nature Trail where I had left it yesterday, and rode that trail into Waterloo a long the rivers and a lake. It was slow going with all the crossings of streets with traffic signals, etc. While riding, I stopped to waite for a couple to go through a gate before me. Mike and Karen shared their cycling stories with me and of course, I shared one or two of mine. Heading south, now after the city. I stopped to check my heading and another cyclest with paniers (bags) on his bike stopped and we found out we were on the same route, except he was heading east. Paul, pictured above, shared some of his adventures in the West and I from the east. Paul was the 3rd meeting I had with eastern bound GART travelers. The day before I met up with Daren and his son, Colton, early twenties, maybe. They warned me of thorns on the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska. Other stories of course and that was before a local cyclest joined in to tell of his travel adventures and of course, RAGBRAI.
Back to the ride after Paul. I stayed on trail for 35 miles and then secondary roads and the day got hotter of course, humid after the storm hours earlier. It was Saturday, so the traffic was limited and the Iowa drivers are the most courteous of any along the way. I had about 15 miles to go, when Googlemaps routed me onto a gravel road for 4 miles. I endured it. After all, I had this bike made to take on gravel, BUT this was late in the day and I just wanted to get to Eldora to my motel, and take shower, and eat a meal, and, and, and,....
Anyway, after 4 miles she, the GPS lady, turned me left and then right onto another gravel road for 10 MILES! I rode one mile and took my fate into my own hands. One mile to the south was a paved hiway and I rode to that route which took me into Eldora. Not much traffic on the hiway and it was smoooooth as long as I avoided the rumble strips.
Didn't get to the Village Inn Motel, Eldora, IA until 7:33 pm. Got started late because of storms in the morning. I holed up in my tent until the storms were done.
Today's ride: 65 miles (105 km)
Total: 2,210 miles (3,557 km)
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