INHF 25th Anniversary Event #14
3rd Annual
Wabash Century Ride,
Campout and Meteor Show

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Grab your bike and tent--and join other cycling nature enthusiasts for the annual weekend century ride and campout on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. Explore small southwest Iowa towns, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Trace during this leisurely ride. Then at night, unwind with food, live entertainment and camping under the annual Perseid meteor shower.

Event details
This weekend century ride travels 50 miles each day between Council Bluffs and Shenandoah, making a total of 100 miles. Check in between 8-10 a.m. at the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park. Then bike to Shenandoah and camp by the "Ikes" (Izaak Walton League) clubhouse for Saturday evening supper and entertainment--plus Sunday morning breakfast. On Sunday, ride back to Council Bluffs when you like. For a trail map, go to the Wabash Trace home page and click the map button.

The cost is $40 per rider. This fee includes:

• Camping gear transport from Council Bluffs to IKES and back on Sunday
• Dinner, Beverages, Camping and Night Meteor Show
• Entertainment at campground
• Sunday morning continental breakfast
• T-shirt commemorating the event
• Prizes and games at the campground
• Mechanical support and SAG support
• Swimming pass for Shenandoah Pool (located right on the Wabash)
• Ride packet with free information, pool pass, raffle ticket

If you want to experience only the dinner and entertainment on Saturday night, you can register for those events only for $10.

Schedule:

Council Bluffs Trail Head

• 8 to 10 a.m. Check in. check camping gear, get ride packet and t-shirt
• Enjoy the Ride!

Saturday afternoon

• Arrival at IKES
• Set up camp, shower, merchandise on display inside, social time
• 6 to 8 p.m. Dinner served. Raffle ticket sales.
• 8 p.m. Entertainment, music, raffle
• 10 p.m. Meteor show. Ride several miles south of campground to watch meteor display.
• Midnight Lights out.

Sunday Morning

• 8 to 9 a.m. Break camp and load gear to be returned to Council Bluffs Trailhead. Continental breakfast served. Second half of Century begins.

The purpose of this ride is to have fun, enjoy the natural beauty of the trail, and explore our small southwest Iowa towns. This is not a race!! Have a leisurely ride. Stop along the way for a drink, lunch, snack, or swim. The Farmer’s Market is open in Silver City with crafts, baked goods, and fresh produce.

RIDERS: Make sure you have an ANSI- or SNELL-approved helmet for the ride and bicycle lights if you will be riding at night!

Whether you sign up for the whole ride or Saturday evening, please register by July 30, 2004 online form.

The story behind this place
This 63-mile trail through the Loess Hills was established by a hardy band of volunteers (Southwest Iowa Nature Trail, Inc - SWINT) in partnership with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. It took 10 years to convert this abandoned railroad corridor (and its 65 bridges) for use as a trail--but it was worth it. The trail has been frequently recognized as one of the nation's best.

On this trail project, and many others, INHF purchased the corridor when it became available and then helped local leaders raise the funds to pay for the land and its conversion to trail use. A state Recreational Trail Fund grant provided much of the funding, and more than 1,000 private donors provided the rest. SWINT continues to coordinate trail events like this one to help fund trail maintenance and promote the trail.

The Wabash Trace Nature Trail travels through Iowa's beautiful Loess Hills but--like other rail trails--uses only gentle grades. This limestone-surfaced trail passes through eight friendly towns: Council Bluffs, Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah, Coin, and Blanchard. Trees form long, shady tunnels along much of the trail's northern section, while the southern part (beyond Shenandoah) has more expansive views of rolling countryside and a lovely prairie planting near Coin.

Partner Information
The Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization made up of volunteers who are committed to recreational trail development. SWINT members organize activities on the Wabash Trace and continue the development and maintenance of the trail. Many of the SWINT volunteers who helped establish this trail also organize and enjoy this ride.

Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. (SWINT) is sponsoring a Century Ride on August 7 & 8, 2004. This year marks our third Century Ride and the special celebration of the 25th anniversary of our partner, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. This ride will be a Weekend Century that starts in Council Bluffs at the Iowa West Foundation Trail Head near Lewis Central School (see schedule). The ride will go through Mineola, Imogene, Shenandoah, and finish at the old Izaak Walton League (IKES) grounds, which is located about 5 miles southeast of Shenandoah on the Wabash. It is just North of the town of Bingham. The return trip on Sunday will finish the Weekend Century.

If you would prefer the comfort of a bed, there are three motels in Shenandoah and guest houses in Coin. Transportation from IKES will be provided.

The swimming pool in Shenandoah is a great place to stop for a “cool dip”. Pack your swimsuit and a towel and enjoy a free swim! Pool pass included in ride fee.

Site Map
Wabash Trace Nature Trail
INHF Trail Guide (PDF format)

Driving Directions
The trailhead is in Council Bluffs on Highway 275, ¾ mile south of junction of Highways 275 and 92, near the Iowa School for the Deaf.
The campsite (former Ikes clubhouse) is on the south side of Highway 2, about five miles east of the junction of Highway 2 and 59.

Visitor Info
Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce
(800) 228-6878


Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce
(712) 246-3455

More area amenities are listed on the Wabash Trace website (click "Accommodations")


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