Cowboy Trail Forum

Who is paying for this city people's amusument trail? Great, just what the producing people of this state needs is more city people on bikes to look out for, while trying to produce food for YOU people.

My goodness Don, you sound so cranky. :) Most of us who ride the trails are country folks who love to be out on the trail enjoying the world. Please join us and smile.

I really doubt you are true country people, or you would be working at producing food, not taking up space on the back country roads like you folks like to do.

I lived across the river in Sioux City, IA for over 18 years. I remember the people of Nebraska to be more friendly than Don here. I typically spend several hundred dollars a year searching for new trails to ride. I'll be sure not to spend any out there in Bushnell.

Don's just cranky because so many small towns around here are dying - city folks never have a reason to come spend money to support local businesses. I'm sure he'd be less cranky if only his town had something that would attract city folks from Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, Des Moines, and beyond. And while all those city folks were there, they would spend money at local restaurants, stores, and motels, thereby putting more money into the pockets of Don's friends, neighbors, and family members. What could possible get city folks to come out to this part of NE and spend their time and money? Maybe... a nice long bike trail?

It worked for the Katy Trail in Missouri - towns that would otherwise be dead by now have B&B's and bike shops that get almost all of their business from out-of-town trail riders.

So lighten up Don, farming is not the only solution for Nebraska. I'm sure you have some friends and neighbors who would love to run small businesses where these city folks could inject their money into your local economy.

Anybody watched the movie Deliverance?

This was taken from Wikipedia (if you trust this source since it is not peer-reviewed):

Bushnell, Nebraska

“The village has very few businesses left. The High School closed in the spring of 1981, with the elementary closing 5 years later. The students now attend School in Kimball, Nebraska. After the school closed all the businesses in town struggled to survive. The grain elevators closed, the gas station closed, then it was like dominoes. About all that is left is a Post Office and the village office. However, two new retail businesses and a nonprofit organization opened in the village in 2011.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushnell,_Nebraska

Don,
I would be more appreciative that people are exploring the state of Nebraska. It really is a beautiful state, and touring via bicycle is one great way to do it.

I appreciate your work as a farmer, and the fact that you produce food (or at least it will become edible food after it is processed). Since, we people pay for your farm subsidies; you can let us ride our environmentally friendly bicycles and spend money in towns that nobody else would visit. We will dodge your air-conditioned, digitized tractors and combines to see the beauty of the Great Plains.

I am from a rural town in Nebraska (no city folk), and I think any tourism a small town that can attract is a win for that community.

Beef production is much like manufacturing. How would you like to have your entire country living in a manufacturing plant product, produce, livestock or otherwise? We as people need to have our recreation and enjoyment separate from the production enviroment.

To C: Thank you for your spot-on sentiments.

I come from farming stock in several lines of my family. I know that Midwesterners can be extremely friendly, kind, generous and helpful folk. I also know that they can be cranky as hell at times due to resentment about their economic plight. I've become one of those "spoiled city bikers" who prefers paved or finely crushed trail (e.g. Acadia National Park carriage trails in Maine) and amenities are preferred. I'm more than happy to pay high taxes, including subsidies of all sorts when needed, and I'm also more than happy to spend what's leftover of my earnings on lodging, restaurants, museums, and shops. After reading all these threads about trail conditions, I'd still be willing to rent bikes with thick tires and cycle slowly to appreciate the beautiful views and wide open spaces but Don's remarks don't do anyone any favors -- he paints the locals as PIAs and it's a turnoff for tourists -- who can be nice people, too. If increased state taxes aren't possible/likely to improve trail conditions and amenities, then at least be nice to the people who come visit anyway so that the people factor outweighs any inconveniences. Perhaps also seeking a federal designation would inject federal funding into the trail. Perhaps that could add to the local/regional/state economy as well.

Give it some time Don. I've ridden the Katy Trail 3 times over the last 10 years and have seen positive changes in the reception locally over the years. There was a lot of hesitation and some open hostility at first, but over time people saw that the bicyclers were mostly friendly and spent much needed money in their communities. My last trip was last year, and most people waved and welcomed us warmly. By the way, I grew up on a farm and understand your concerns, I just think you'll find it's not as bad as you think.

To anon who has ridden the Katy Trail 3 times. Do you recommend the Katy or the Cowboy for novice bike riders? Not planning to ride the full length of either, but want to give it a try.

Cindy, We live close to the Katy trail and ride on it often. It is very well maintained and used more and more. In September, 2015 we rode the Cowboy trail from Norfolk to Valentine and back. It was a pretty well maintained trail with almost no one else riding it while we were there. We did get 2 flat tires around Ainsworth but no problems otherwise. I would recommend starting with the Katy and then trying the Cowboy next!

Funny...I was going to say JUST what Ray did about the Katy Trail reviving the small dying towns along the Trail. I lived there when they built the Katy and rode 1000's of miles on it, as well as End to End.

I too live way out, 161 acres that sits on 100,000 of acres. Our closest neighbor is 9 miles away....no no kidding! The closest Utility Pole is 4 miles from us and we are not hooked in.....betting this guy is NOT as 'country' as we are!

The truth is, so many of these folks that fight the Rails to Trails are angry because they did not get the land back when the RR abandon the area. I get that. BUT! The fight is over, time to move on, FIX AND CONTINUE the Cowboy Trail and make it, let it be, an enjoyable destination and a money maker for your State....

I have seen the development of public trails for nearly 40 years. There are always the not-in-my-backyard types in the beggining of projects but pretty soon they reallise the benefit to ALL Americans when WE develop public parks and recreation areas. I have spent the past 7 years visiting rail/trails around the country . I sure as hell prefer spending my travel money in Local US economies as opposed to Disyney World or Europe. The bicycle touring industry has become serious business in many parts of America..Lots of us Baby Boomers enjoying the bike trails like we used to enjoy hiking or mountain biking..

That's a lot of anger you got there Don. Do you really live each and every day with feel bad chemicals running around in your brain? I wouldn't want to live your life.

Jesus Don have a drink and relax. I'd love to ride this trail but hope not to run into any cranky aholes like you!

Says Don as he collects ag subsidies (welfare) for his unsustainable cattle operation paid for by taxpayers like me on the east and west coast...

I'd think Don would appreciate all those city slickers working up an appetite to eat the food he's producing. He's got to have buyers after all.

I too have ridden the Katy Trail, but more recently and frequently the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and C & O Canal Towpath. All of those trails and their towns seem to be enjoying the economic benefits of the trails. You are always going to get someone who is grumped out about something.

Don's an arrogant asshole - try to never ride his portion of the trail, and don't spend any money anywhere near him that might bene3fit him or his neighbors.

Yes. He is. But. What we should do is VISIT his area and be especially nice to each person there and spend money....THEN he looks like the jerk he is....Trail Riders/Users, look like the good people we are.

North Fork Outfitting LLC in Norfolk, now offers 2 all inclusive Cowboy Trail Tours! 4 day/night, or 6 day/night...each tour includes rooms, 2 meals per day, shuttle, and a 2 hour kayak float!Call 402-316-0157 for details!

Hi All,

My brother and I are thinking about doing a trip across Nebraska along the Cowboy Trail. I have gone across the state once along the Lincoln Highway but am very excited to come back to the state to ride its northern tier.

However, I'm trying to figure out the best way to make it up to the start of the trail and how to return at its end. Does one fly in to Omaha or Lincoln and send their bike to the Amtrak there? Then hitch a ride by bus or rent a car in both places? Is this even possible? Thoughts?

Andy

Hi Andy,

As far as transportation from one end of the trail to another give North Fork Outfitting a call (402) 316-0157. They run a Cowboy Trail shuttle service. To me it sounds like shipping your bike to the shop in Norfolk (Cleveland Bike and Sport) and then flying into Lincoln/Omaha, renting a car and driving to Norfolk might be your best option to get there. Then have the shuttle take you to Valentine and you would ride east on the trail back to your rental car in Norfolk. I would leave the rental car at Ta Ha Zouka Park, that's where the Cowboy Trail ends/begins in Norfolk. Or there is an Enterprise car rental in Norfolk if you just want to return the car when you get to Norfolk and rent another when you get back after riding the trail, not sure if that would be cheaper.

I can also shuttle from airport...Last year had a guy from Israel that shrink wrapped and boxed his bike to allow it as luggage, and I picked him up from the airport and shuttled him to his start. You would have to check with the airlines on their rules, but I am pretty flexible, and would love to help make your trip happen! Have a great day! Tony

Starting May 2018, North Fork Outfitting will offer Trail Bike Rentals as well as their Cowboy Trail Shuttle Service! Call 402-316-0157 or see nforkoutfitting.com for details!

Glad to hear this! I have added Bike Rentals to your listing within this website - even though you're not starting until May, this will help get the word out to people who are planning ahead for late spring and summer adventures. Good luck!

Making plans. Always have gone west to east on any cross Nebraska trip, but am checking in on what has been most effective for others. Thanks for any help offered.

I've always done West to East because I live in Lincoln and it's a significantly shorter trip back from Norfolk. And after 3 days of riding I appreciate that very much! In your case I don't think it will make much of a difference. Pick the direction with the tailwind!

I rode the trail from Atkinson to Valentine and back last weekend. The trail was primitive but enjoyable! We camped in Atkinson, Ainsworth, and Valentine and found well managed campgrounds. I really appreciate the friendly local residents and helpful park managers.

The trail is definitely rough in places and requires one to "dig in". However that seems appropriate for crossing the Sandhills in the Nebraska wind.

I encourage the state-park managers and adjacent agriculture producers to work closely together. It appears that this trail could be an simultaneous asset for both. Perhaps ag-producers could drive cattle and equipment along the trail instead of on it. And in cases where cattle have roughened the trail the produce could repair the trail with a drag or other implement.

In short, this trail is enormous and can be managed as a multiple use resource for both bikers and the very important agricultural industry.

Yes, we rode the first part of Sept, and enjoyed it. Being a bit primitive made it a little more of an adventure. East of Wood Lake, there seemed to be lots of vegetation and we jumped off onto the road.

The thing that seemed to make it the roughest was the tire tracks. On the compacted limestone it gets hard enough those wouldn't be an issue. On the crushed granite, it never compacts so it is. But, all in all I am glad we rode it..

Ever been on a Cattle Drive? Around a herd of Cattle? Cows go where cows want to go. Driving them, you are staying back enough so that they do not spoke and scatter, but close enough to keep them moving away from where you are....and there is a Dance involved to turn them...
Keeping them off the Trail? That will be a HUGE fight with ranchers.

I encourage the STATE OFFICIALS to get out and see that the Local Trail Maintenance IS NOT BEING DONE AS THEY THINK IT IS! I think from reading a letter I got back about the Trail from Omaha and what is said about the Trail.....NOT ONE IN THE SAME! Heads need to roll, because if the Capital really thinks they are spraying for weeds and maintaining the chat..... There is some lying and cheating going on!

I agree! the Nebraska Game and Parks division seems like if it does not do anything the issues will go away. I have emailed them twice with no replies to my emails. As a tax payer I feel my dollars are going under a sand dune. The trail needs to have a group go to the capital and protest the mismanagement that we are paying for. Maybe that would get some attention.

I agree that mismanagement is never a good thing and certainly frustrating to the taxpayers of any state. And any state should be doing what they say they are doing. As for the condition of the Trail I guess I'm just not that picky because it looked pretty decent to me. As for the many great agricultural producers of Nebraska we should all be incredibly grateful for what they do - after all it appears to me that Nebraska producers are the reason most of us in the Midwest get to eat!! so give credit where credit is due. I believe the Cowboy Trail and Nebraska Agriculture can peacefully co-exist.

You sound speciously like a Business person along the trail.....rather than a person from MO

I have a flat-bar hybrid w/o any suspension; will the trail beat me to death w/o suspension or should I get another bike w/ suspension for this trip?

Any excuse right? ;-)

How often will you ride the Cowboy Trail?
Will you ride Full Suspension anywhere else?
Is there a Bike you have been looking at and love but are wondering why you would need it and the Cowboy Trail sounds like the reason?

I rode my GT GRADE-150 Gravel bike with Clement Xplor USH tires(I put in Slime Teflon Liners and go one flat, but I think it was a wheel issue not a thorn). Lisa rode her Canondale Adventure 4 with Schwalbe tires. I think the bigger tires were better. She got a flat (on the bike rack) the day after we quit. So... That's what we rode.

I think you will be just fine with no suspension. I rode a Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail and locked out the front fork and it was fine for 200 mi Atkinson to Valentine and back. Ran Clement LXV 2.1 tires. If you need to take the edge off just run a bit lower pressure. Your hybrid will probably be better on the trail than my hardtail mountain bike was.

Here is a video of our first day (well the first 25 miles from Valentine to Wood Lake, where I ran out of battery). You can sort of see the trail, and what to expect up to about Arabia ranch and a little further.

I realize there is NO MUSIC, and I didn't know how to add sound, but you can skip through it to see abit of the scenery of the sand hills and what the trail looks like.

Just remember Crushed Granite is NOT Crushed Limestone. And it was washboard and sort of rough. But a wonderful adventure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os_6VbsVICU

So I finally got all three days of our ride on YOUTUBE. You might like to gaze through pretty good ideas of trail conditions from Valentine to Inman..

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWafS6tC5la3w6E9fGe6eYw

A buddy and I just completed a ride from Atkinson to Valentine and back (around 200mi.) Sept.29-Oct2. We were very pleased with the Trail in general and the scenery was amazing! Met some wonderful people in the small towns along the way and were blown away by their friendliness and hospitality! Especially in Ainsworth. We really liked the remote, desolate, and wilderness feel of the trail. It's nice not having annoying mile markers or signs every 100 yards. The biggest challenge for us was the goatheads or puncture vine that we encountered in a few specific sections of the trail that caused a slight tire issue. We were aware of them and prepared to deal with them. It's a good thing because they ARE a reality. We were running tubeless tires, had a pump, and C02 cartridges. I would strongly encourage this set up if you are planning to ride the trail. It will reduce your chance of flats dramatically. We camped in city parks and the Mill Race Park and that all went very well. We will definitely be back someday and would highly recommend this Trail to others. One curiosity was the very pronounced washboards for a few miles between Arabia and Valentine. Not natural and not sure how they got there other than vehicles driving on the trail. Any ideas?

Didn't you love Atkinson? I loved that little town. But yes, there was washboarding, and we ran into a soggy, loose gravel issue over between Bassett and Newport (lots of sub irrigated soil was probably some of the problem). But we watched the Goatheads etal, and I got one over by Inman, and Lisa had a few in her tires. But only one flat on our ride (me). We loved the trail.

I must say, we really enjoyed the trail. A few places were pretty tough (either thorns or a bit mushy), but it did make for a bit more of an adventure than just a bike ride. A little review of our trip is outlined below, I did take some clips on my Go-Pro and am going to try and splice them together showing conditions of the trail, and a little bit of our ride. I'll probably break them down by the day of the ride:

A Lot of Fun With a Little Adventure


DAY 1

We’d driven over from Hannibal to St. Joseph the night before and started North toward Sioux City/Omaha on Saturday Morning, Driving along we stopped and had a bit of lunch and a brew at Divots Brewery in Norfolk. Great Beer and Great Cheeseburger. Then we continued on our route out Hwy 20, toward Valentine, seeing all of the towns we’d be riding through on Sunday over the next three days, as we went along. We’d gotten a room at the Raine Motel in Valentine, and had arranged a rental car so we could drive Lisa’s car down to Inman and have a way back to Valentine. So we got checked in, the car company had left our car at the Raine Motel, and we were off, seeing all of the road from North to South the way we’d ride it. Got to Inman, and left Lisa’s car on the square (or street anyway), and headed back to Valentine. We stopped at Chesterfield West in O’Neill and had a salad, then back to our Motel for the evening.

DAY 2

The weather forecast for the day had changed and went from a high of 89 to a high of 100. We stopped by the McDonalds for a bit of breakfast, and then we started out from Valentine about 7:00 so we could ride earlier in the morning and miss the midday heat. The trail was just a block or two north of our Motel, so it was easy to get to and we were off. Riding along just before the sun came up, brisk chill in the air, and clear skies, it was an exhilarating feeling. We met one other biker that was out that early riding about 10 minutes into our ride. He had his dog with him.

We got to the Niobrara Bridge right about 7:40 AM and the sun was just on the horizon to the East North East, and steam was coming off of the water forming a fog in the low lying valley around the river. We stayed for a bit, enjoying the vista that were the inspiration for our trip out. Then we were on our bikes again going down the trail to the South East. Mostly crushed red granite and granite dust, it wasn’t the compacted limestone of the Katy Trail, but it was ridable, and fairly firm underneath our bikes.

Along the trail I saw one box turtle, one dead porcupine (the first I’d ever seen in the wild albeit dead), some small snakes, and on track across the gravel of a big snake about the size of my forearm I’d guess.

We got to the Arabia Ranch for our first snack and drink of the day, then rode on. A few miles down the trail at about mile 19, we jumped off on to the road as the vegetation had pretty much taken the trail and we were trying to avoid the goatheads and puncture vine. So we rode the highway shoulder down to Wood Lake where we met Rachel and Patrick from Boise, ID who were on their last leg of a 24,000 mile trip that started in Holland and included other parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, and India. Nice folks who were on their way to Valentine for the night.

We pull in to the park wat Wood Lake about 10:00 or so and enjoy the calm pretty shaded area, filling our water bottles at the spigot and writing a note on the spiral notebook in the mail box there for travelers. A beautiful little spot to sit and ponder the rest of the mornings ride.

About 10:30 or so we got on our bikes and headed toward Johnstown, our goal was to be there by noon, have lunch in the L Bow Room, and then go to the Brown County Fair there and watch the Rodeo till later in the afternoon and the heat had subsided a bit. We visited with the young cowboys and cowgirls in the bar as we had our lunch. We left our bi

the rest:
bikes in the back of the L Bow Room, and as we were leaving and walking down the road, one cowboy, Joe(who I’d shook hands with in the L Bow Room), said, do you need a ride somewhere. We responded we were going to the rodeo, he said he was too and to jump in so he gave us a ride to the rodeo. We were pulling through the gate and we pulled right past the guy there, who started hollering that we hadn’t paid to get in,
Joe stopped and we gathered up enough money to pay our way in.
Joe, stopped, get gathered up our money and paid. Joe said, “Now that’s a fellow that takes his job seriously.” He sat with us telling us who to watch and all as he knew all of the riders. This made for a great afternoon break. We all stopped by the L Bow room for a final beverage and get our bikes for the remaining 15 miles of our trip. As I was pulling my bike out of the bar, one cowboy said, “You need a lead rope on that one”… and I responded, “Yes I do”..

So we are riding on for the final leg of our day riding into Ainsworth and our room for the night at the Rodeway Inn. We went across the street to the Pizza hut for a small pizza for dinner.

DAY 3

Got up early and had breakfast and were on our way to Long Pine. It was 55 degrees when we got up, chillier that we had expected, so we stopped in at the Dollar General and bought a couple of long sleeved shirts to keep us warm for the first part of the ride.

Great riding, a nice cool morning and about an hour into our ride we were at the trestle bridge at Long Pine, while not as expansive a view as the tressel at the Niorbara Bridge, it was a wonderful stop and an inspiring sight of a pristine wilderness creek running through a beautiful green valley nestled away in the Nebraska backwoods. We stayed and enjoyed it.

We ran on into town where we had a break and lemonade at the Sandhills Lounge right on Main Street. We had a great visit with the bartender and waitress, discussing things, I brought up our friend Joe and he said, “I know him, he’s a friend and is in here from time to time”. I wasn’t surprised as Joe wasn’t the shy type. There in town Lisa had found the old school house that had been surrounded by a castle like wall and the owner had put in a huge sword shaped sidewalk laid out up to the building. He told us to check Google Earth from time to time, that we might be able to see his ‘sword’.

We were off to Basset, the trail was much looser, granite and granite dust and pretty mushy. Mainly rolling sand hills with hay and cattle.

We got to Bassett thinking we’d have a bit of lunch, but the downtown was totally empty (it being Memorial Day), so we sat and had a drink at a little corner of a building there, Lisa advised she’d ventured on South and found a Convenience Store open, so we went down and had lunch there, and sat for a while down by Hwy 20.

After lunch we were off toward Newport. I was riding along and came upon a lady walking with her dog, we were visiting, her husband was a rancher and she a teacher, when Lisa showed up, she’d had a tumble and cut her arm and leg, in the soft gravel. This as far as surface of the trail may have been the toughest we’d encountered.

When we got to Newport we decided to jump off again and ride the road, on to Stuart where our room for the night was. We were riding and met a rancher in his driveway, on a four wheeler, talking to him, he had alfalfa down and was hoping to get it baled. Lisa was discussing with him that we’d left the trail at Newport because of the mushy conditions. He said, “Well, that’s all sub-irrigated
soil up there, and your ride tomorrow out of Stuart should be much firmer”.. We said our farewells and were off toward our room.

At Stuart we stayed at the Stuart Inn, and to check in you go to the Mini-Mart, our only option for supper that night, it being a Holiday. We moved our chairs out on the sidewalk in front of the

motel and watched traffic until dark, being the only customers there that night (although the Motel was booked for the rest of the week for a local wedding).

DAY 4

Getting up early Tuesday morning we realized it was 46 degrees out and we had no fleece or jackets, only the long sleeve shirts to wear under our bike clothes we’d gotten on Monday morning. So we got on our bikes in the cold early morn and headed out to the Central Bar downtown Stuart for Breakfast. It was COLD, and my fingers were tingling in just a few blocks. The restaurant/bar was full of the local citizenry having their coffee and breakfast. We were greeted by the server and ordered our breakfast, which was promptly served with a smile. The owner came out to check on us and our meal and was very gregarious and interested (as were the rest of the folks), where we were going etc. We told him we were going to hang around till 9:00 or so to see if it warmed up a bit, so we sat enjoying the company and the warmth. I mentioned to the owner about our Rodeo experience and our friend Joe, whom he also responded, “Yes, I know him, he’s a friend of mine and is in here frequently”. He told us to try lunch at Chesterfield West where we’d been before and have the Prime Rib Sandwich, he was good friends with the owner.

So about 8:30 or 9:00 we went outside and in the sunshine it had warmed up a bit, so we took off and headed toward our destination, Inman. It was still pretty chilly, but rideable. We got to Atkinson and sort of jumped off and went down town where we found a pavilion to have our snack bar and drinks. A really pretty little town, we liked it a lot. We got done, rode our bikes back to the trail and off we were again. Coming to the town of Emmet, we thought we’d find a place for a lemonade or drink for our morning break, but no such luck, there wasn’t anything there for that, so we sat on the curb and have a drink from our water bottles before getting back on the trail. About half way to O’Neill I got my first flat tire, the front tire, and a goat head was sticking pretty much in the sidewall. So I stopped and Lisa and I pulled it off, (my tire liner came out with it fell in the dirt and got all gritty so I didn’t put it back in), put the new innertube in and it wouldn’t hold air. So off it came and I put another tube in, and it seem to hold ok. There was lots of vegetation, Lisa had about four that she found in her tires (but no flat at that time, but the day after our ride, we found her front tire flat). So we jumped off on to the highway and rode to O’Neill, where we stopped again at Chesterfield West and enjoyed the Prime Rib Sandwich Special that Ray from the Central Bar had recommended. From O’Neill we rode pretty much on the highway (as I had only on innertube left), and got to Inman 20 minutes later. Happy to see Lisa’s car there sitting just as we’d left it.

All and all a wonderful three days on the trail, with not near the tribulation I’d expected after reading much of the online chatter about flats etc. I would definitely recommend the Schwalbe Marathon tires, they have a protective liner built in, and were really about the right size for the type of gravel we were dealing with. My Clement X’plor USH tires are great gravel tires, but they were a bit too narrow for the consistency of the gravel on the trail. I did have Teflon Liners in my tires though and I do recommend them.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up....I had been 'waiting for it'. ;-)