Trail near Wood Lake
- + From past to current date, 3/12/2011 seven or more dead livestock (cattle and goats) in various states of decay are next to the trail at this date, near an adjacent livestock operation within the city...
Discussion started 03/12/2011 10:13 PM by a - 1 reply (last reply by Jimmy P at 06/13/2011 10:38 PM)a from a on 03/12/2011 10:13 PM
From past to current date, 3/12/2011 seven or more dead livestock (cattle and goats) in various states of decay are next to the trail at this date, near an adjacent livestock operation within the city limits. This is just west of main street before the old rail road bridge on the north side of trail near and around hay bales and pens within 15 or so feet of the trail.
Jimmy P from Omaha on 06/13/2011 10:38 PM
Those creatures were not present on 6/11/2011.
Super 8 Motel in O'Neill
- + Stayed here one night in June 2011. No laundry room and hot tub was closed. Didn't have a reservation so I got a smelly smoking room. Otherwise an okay hotel. Next to a truck stop.
Discussion started 06/12/2011 12:34 PM by Jason - 0 repliesJason from Papillion, NE on 06/12/2011 12:34 PM
Stayed here one night in June 2011. No laundry room and hot tub was closed. Didn't have a reservation so I got a smelly smoking room. Otherwise an okay hotel. Next to a truck stop.
Stuart Village Inn in Stuart
- + Stayed here one night in June 2011. Adequate hotel room. Checked in and out at the convenience store next door.
Discussion started 06/12/2011 12:32 PM by Jason - 0 repliesJason from Papillion, NE on 06/12/2011 12:32 PM
Stayed here one night in June 2011. Adequate hotel room. Checked in and out at the convenience store next door.
Norfolk to Valentine
- + I plan to start Monday from Norfolk.. Did the trail about three years ago and had a great time. Pulling a BOB trailer....just like the pioneers only alittle faster. Camping in city parks. Where's a...
Discussion started 06/09/2011 12:32 PM by Dave - 0 repliesDave from Lincoln on 06/09/2011 12:32 PM
I plan to start Monday from Norfolk.. Did the trail about three years ago and had a great time. Pulling a BOB trailer....just like the pioneers only alittle faster. Camping in city parks. Where's a good place in Norfolk to park my truck for the week?
Cheers,
Riding the trail
- + Currently shacked up/escaping the heat in Norfolk and I'm going to be riding the trail over the next 2 days, stopping at O'Neill in between.
I shall endevour to report back on the trails curren...
Discussion started 06/08/2011 12:02 AM by Craig Hamnett - 0 repliesCraig Hamnett from Manchester, UK on 06/08/2011 12:02 AM
Currently shacked up/escaping the heat in Norfolk and I'm going to be riding the trail over the next 2 days, stopping at O'Neill in between.
I shall endevour to report back on the trails current condition once I get to Valentine.
I'm doing this as part of my ride across America - feel free to join me if you fancy doing some riding!
Craig
volunteer help
- + From the amount of trail damage it sounds like you should form a volunteer organization like the Ozark Trail assn.http://www.ozarktrail.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=94b49f2f67d723f6756a77fe528b6de7
and ...
Discussion started 06/05/2011 10:52 AM by Gary Redinger - 0 repliesGary Redinger from Caledonia, Missouri on 06/05/2011 10:52 AM
From the amount of trail damage it sounds like you should form a volunteer organization like the Ozark Trail assn.http://www.ozarktrail.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=94b49f2f67d723f6756a77fe528b6de7
and the Highland trail assn.http://ozarkhighlandstrail.com/
to help build and maintain your Nebraska trails.
- + Hey, where is everyone? I'm thinking of riding the trail later in June. Are there any changes I should know about? Has there been much traffic on it lately, or have people been hiding out from all the...
Discussion started 05/30/2011 10:31 PM by Steve Iskovitz - 0 repliesSteve Iskovitz from Pittsburgh on 05/30/2011 10:31 PM
Hey, where is everyone? I'm thinking of riding the trail later in June. Are there any changes I should know about? Has there been much traffic on it lately, or have people been hiding out from all the storms?
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trail condition
- + Can anyone tell me if the trail is rideable from norfollk to o'neill?
Discussion started 04/08/2011 09:08 AM by jerry - 1 reply (last reply by Sayre at 05/19/2011 09:53 PM)jerry from fremont on 04/08/2011 09:08 AM
Can anyone tell me if the trail is rideable from norfollk to o'neill?
Sayre from Bensalem, PA on 05/19/2011 09:53 PM
My sister lives in Norfolk and bikes the trail regularly but there is a bridge that was washed out a few miles out of Norfolk on the way to O'Neill which will probably cause you some problems. Not sure why they don't have anything posted about this on the website...
Kids and trail
- + We are looking for a trail ride to do with a 7 and 10 year old. Love the Katy Trail but looking for something closer to home. (CO). How is the surface looking for this year? Really soft is not appeal...
Discussion started 05/03/2011 07:39 PM by Janie - 0 repliesJanie from Fort Collins on 05/03/2011 07:39 PM
We are looking for a trail ride to do with a 7 and 10 year old. Love the Katy Trail but looking for something closer to home. (CO). How is the surface looking for this year? Really soft is not appealing. How far from the highway is the trail? Thanks for any help!
parking @ Ainsworth
- + Can we park @ Ainsworth and ride to Valentine- leave the car locked up for a couple of days (and return within 3 days)
Discussion started 04/18/2011 01:34 PM by K .Jordan - 0 repliesK .Jordan from Platte City on 04/18/2011 01:34 PM
Can we park @ Ainsworth and ride to Valentine- leave the car locked up for a couple of days (and return within 3 days)
Mule Ride
- + I'd love to ride my mules along the Cowboy trail. Is the whole trail open to equines? Are some parts of the trail more equine friendly? What about camping or boarding spots?
Discussion started 03/20/2011 05:08 PM by Amy Nagler - 0 repliesAmy Nagler from Laramie, Wyoming on 03/20/2011 05:08 PM
I'd love to ride my mules along the Cowboy trail. Is the whole trail open to equines? Are some parts of the trail more equine friendly? What about camping or boarding spots?
catching a return ride to our vehicle
- + If we came up to bike the trail and needed a return ride back to Norfolk is there some type of transportation available from the towns along the way? Maybe a bus? We are not sure how far we'll go befo...
Discussion started 07/24/2010 04:13 PM - 4 replies (last reply by Steve Iskovitz at 03/12/2011 12:59 AM)Anonymous from Kansas on 07/24/2010 04:13 PM
If we came up to bike the trail and needed a return ride back to Norfolk is there some type of transportation available from the towns along the way? Maybe a bus? We are not sure how far we'll go before we want to go back.
Anonymous from Kansas on 07/24/2010 04:17 PM
I checked out the rest of the forum. Who is Mary Bott in Stuart and what does she charge for a return trip? Thanks,
Anonymous on 07/31/2010 01:01 AM
My friends and I just finished the ride today, we drove a vehicle to the YMCA in Norfolk Mary met us there and drove us to Valentine, and then we rode back to Norfolk in 4 days. The first 15 miles of the trail from Valentine are the most scenic, after that the trail gets soft. We did most of the ride back to Norfolk on US20 and 275.
Tom from Kansas City on 08/02/2010 08:59 PM
Contact Mary Bott in Stuart. She will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on the trail. She picked us up in Norfolk and dropped us off in Valentine. She charges $1 per mile
402-924-3678
Steve Iskovitz from Pittsburgh on 03/12/2011 12:59 AM
I was thinking of riding the Katy Trail in Missouri and then the Cowboy Trail. If I double back a bit to Sedalia, MO, I can catch a train to KC, but how to get from KC to Norfolk?
Valentine
- + The Trade Winds motel is fantastic? Very clean, modern and located across the hwy from the trail. I highly recommend it
Discussion started 08/02/2010 09:03 PM by Tom - 1 reply (last reply by Kathryn at 12/30/2010 07:18 PM)Tom from Kansas City on 08/02/2010 09:03 PM
The Trade Winds motel is fantastic? Very clean, modern and located across the hwy from the trail. I highly recommend it
Kathryn from Omaha, Nebraska on 12/30/2010 07:18 PM
Where is the Trade Winds motel located? Valentine? Can you recommend any other B&B's or motels along the Cowboy Trail?
bikecowboytrail.com website problems
- + Is there an email address and/or phone number I can use to report problems with this website? A phone number is preferred. Thanks.
Discussion started 11/16/2010 09:48 PM by Dean Wisleder - 0 repliesDean Wisleder from Springfield, Illinois on 11/16/2010 09:48 PM
Is there an email address and/or phone number I can use to report problems with this website? A phone number is preferred. Thanks.
Bridge Crossings
- + Am planning on riding the Cowboy Trail this year. Was wondering if riding a tri-cumbent would be possible? The width is 31.5 inches. HELP!
Discussion started 04/29/2010 04:08 PM by Alf # 2 - 3 replies (last reply by Dean Wisleder at 11/16/2010 09:39 PM)Alf # 2 from Council Bluffs, Iowa on 04/29/2010 04:08 PM
Am planning on riding the Cowboy Trail this year. Was wondering if riding a tri-cumbent would be possible? The width is 31.5 inches. HELP!
Ric from Omaha on 05/20/2010 11:25 AM
Yes, a trike is fine on the trail, and there is very little traffic. Worst part is the darn posts keeping vehicles off the trail at all intersections. They are fine for regular bikes, but tight even for my Tour Easy recumbent...a trike would really be tight...but then you can go a bit slower and not fall over.
Bob from Bellevue on 10/29/2010 11:51 PM
The barriers at the high bridge at Long Pine are the narrowest I have found and I had to lift my 3 wheeler recumbent over them. Worth it for the view from there tho.
Dean Wisleder from Springfield on 11/16/2010 09:39 PM
Interesting that there are other tricycle riders. I hope to ride the trail from Norfolk to Valentine and back in 2011 on my LoGo recumbent trike. I have a choice of pulling my camping gear in a two-wheel trailer or loaded on the trike's rear rack. Any thoughts on which is the better choice considering the narrow trail spots?
optional camping
- + Your web site looks wonderful. I will certainly
try to ride the cowboy trail.
I was wandering about the camp spots and if
there were any to accomandate a small pop up
camper? I've done the Katy trail ...
Discussion started 03/12/2010 12:04 AM by arialupo - 3 replies (last reply by Dean Wisleder at 11/16/2010 09:33 PM)arialupo from Tulsa, OK on 03/12/2010 12:04 AM
Your web site looks wonderful. I will certainly
try to ride the cowboy trail.
I was wandering about the camp spots and if
there were any to accomandate a small pop up
camper? I've done the Katy trail three times
and each time I had a great time. I'm looking
forward to riding the cowboy trail.
PS I added your web site to favorites.
Ray (webmaster) on 03/16/2010 08:32 AM
Thanks for the compliments, I'm glad that you found the website to be helpful!
Honestly I am not sure about all the details on the campgrounds. In general, the city parks will only accommodate tents, while the state parks and commercial campgrounds will handle popup trailers and bigger things. But that's just a generalization - I would suggest calling them in advance to be sure.
Eventually I plan to have more details about the campgrounds and other businesses - if anyone has any details about any trail businesses that you think would be helpful, feel free to go to the page for that business within this website and add your comments at the bottom (or just let me know).
Happy trails!
Bob from Bellevue on 10/30/2010 12:02 AM
I have taken my small travel trailer over the entire route and checked every possible camping location along the trail. I am building a tent camper to pull behind my bike for a spring 2011 trip. I will try to add this info to your wonderful website as soon as I can. Thanks for this great resource.
Dean Wisleder from Springfield, Illinois on 11/16/2010 09:33 PM
Bob, I'm confused. How does one take a small travel trailer "over the entire route" of a bike/hike/horse trail?
Flooding along the trail
- + With the recent heavy rains, there's been a lot of flooding issues for many of the communities along the trail.
Here in Norfolk at the very beginning of the trailhead we have flooding problems ...
Discussion started 06/15/2010 01:17 PM by Traci - 4 replies (last reply by bike rider at 09/09/2010 10:31 AM)Traci from Norfolk on 06/15/2010 01:17 PM
With the recent heavy rains, there's been a lot of flooding issues for many of the communities along the trail.
Here in Norfolk at the very beginning of the trailhead we have flooding problems from the Elkhorn river.
If you're planning a ride/hike in the near future, check ahead for flooding conditions since so much of the trail runs along the river. You'll also want to be aware that the trail condition will be somewhat deteriorated from runoff.
Traci from Norfolk on 06/17/2010 11:13 PM
Okay, now I'm sad. The water is receeding but part of the Broken Bridge has collapsed. They say the total damage to the trail is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not sure just how much damage there is further upstate, but I'm sure it's significant.
Kyle Anderson from Bolivar, Mo. on 06/18/2010 04:56 AM
Can anyone give me some idea what the trail condition is like between Valentine and Oneill? I'm planning on riding that section of trail July 1 weekend. I planned on doing the entire trail but the recent flooding I doubt I'll try from Oneill on to Norfolk.
Todd Macken from Platte Center, NE on 08/26/2010 09:37 AM
I would like to know, if the trail has been reconstructed and fixed yet? Because, I am looking at doing a fund raiser, and have individuals or groups get a sponsor to donate a dollar a mile for every mile they ride (or whatever amount they want to donate per mile). I would like to do something next spring or fall.
bike rider from tilden on 09/09/2010 10:31 AM
rode from tilden to clearwater labor day weekend 2010...ok from tilden to oakdale..from oakdale to neligh they have trail closed but bridges and trail are intact and ridable..from neligh to clearwater there is a bridge out couple miles east of clearwater that goes over elkhorn river. can take country road north 1/4 mile to hwy 275 then west over river and then south on country road and get back onto trail and on into clearwater
shuttle back to start of trail?
- + I want to do this trail later this summer since I grew up in northern Nebraska and I'm familiar with areas. This is probably impossible or a stupid question but wondering if there was anyone that has ...
Discussion started 04/21/2010 04:05 PM by Kyle Anderson - 3 replies (last reply by Ray at 07/28/2010 02:36 PM)Kyle Anderson from Bolivar, MO...grew up in Butte, NE. on 04/21/2010 04:05 PM
I want to do this trail later this summer since I grew up in northern Nebraska and I'm familiar with areas. This is probably impossible or a stupid question but wondering if there was anyone that has contacts with someone in Valentine, NE. or Norfolk, NE. if a person started the trail from one end to the other and left your car at the beginning and could get a way to get shuttled back to your car with your bike?
Traci from Norfolk on 06/14/2010 04:44 PM
I guess you would have to know someone. There's no "official" shuttle service for the CT.
Tom Martens on 06/15/2010 04:07 PM
Contact Mary Bott in Stuart. She will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on the trail
402-924-3678
Ray on 07/28/2010 02:36 PM
Panda Transporation in Valentine provides shuttle services for the trail: 402-376-1313
Trail closure
- + The Cowboy trail is closed between O'Neil and Norfolk, due to flooding.
Does anyone know what hwy 275 is like? Hilly? Flat? Shoulder?
Is it feasable to ride this road?
Discussion started 06/30/2010 03:23 PM by Tom Martens - 1 reply (last reply by Traci at 07/06/2010 05:06 PM)Tom Martens from Kansas City on 06/30/2010 03:23 PM
The Cowboy trail is closed between O'Neil and Norfolk, due to flooding.
Does anyone know what hwy 275 is like? Hilly? Flat? Shoulder?
Is it feasable to ride this road?
Traci from Norfolk on 07/06/2010 05:06 PM
Highway 275 is, for the most part, fairly flat. The flood waters have subsided, but soft shoulder areas are slightly eroded. To be honest, a lot of people ride the highway shoulder - especially from Tilden to Neligh - because the trail is kind of soft. The shoulder is a hard shoulder through this area and safe to ride. Not very scenic though.
Nebr.Trails Council flooding pics
- + Hi there Cowboy Trail fans there are some pictures of the flooding on the Nebraska Trails Council Facebook page. Also if you would like to be in the link of any email blitzes the Nebraska Trails Coun...
Discussion started 06/28/2010 01:56 PM by Marilyn Woerth - 0 repliesMarilyn Woerth from Brownville, NE on 06/28/2010 01:56 PM
Hi there Cowboy Trail fans there are some pictures of the flooding on the Nebraska Trails Council Facebook page. Also if you would like to be in the link of any email blitzes the Nebraska Trails Council sends out send your name and email to mwoerth@gmail.com
scenic areas
- + We are planning to try the Cowboy Trail this summer. We love the Katy Trail and have gone there several times. Are there some areas along the Cowboy Trail that are more scenic than others? Is the t...
Discussion started 05/17/2010 09:17 AM by Kathy Dobb - 3 replies (last reply by Hiram at 06/08/2010 04:59 PM)Kathy Dobb from Shawnee, Kansas on 05/17/2010 09:17 AM
We are planning to try the Cowboy Trail this summer. We love the Katy Trail and have gone there several times. Are there some areas along the Cowboy Trail that are more scenic than others? Is the trail chat like the Katy? Is there a guidebook about the trail that we could order?
Ric from Omaha on 05/20/2010 11:14 AM
I have ridden the CT from Norfolk to Atkinson numerous times...kind of. Only about 10% of the trail in this section is away from Hwy 275/20 and scenic. The other 90% runs adjacent to the Hwys so I ride on the Hwy shoulder which is very nice. The trail gets to be somewhat soft west of Tilden, so it's a struggle with my 1 1/8" road tires. No guide book I am aware of. All the towns along the way have places to camp and eat, but nothing real fancy. Norfolk/Neligh/O'Neill are slightly bigger towns. Trail chat???...probably not.
T Martens from Lees Summit, MO on 06/08/2010 03:17 PM
Nebraska Cowboy Trail A users guide
by Keith Terry
Hiram from Knoxville on 06/08/2010 04:59 PM
We rode last summer from newport to Neligh in two days. We found the trail to be very soft almost the whole way. We easily ride 10-12 mph on the katy, but struggled to go much above 6-8 mph on the Cowboy. With two panniers my mountain bike sunk into the ground about an inch on average. The locals we tlaked to said that most riders they saw wee using the highway shoulder rather than riding the trail itself. It seemed to us that the contractor that the state was using for trail construction had not done any compaction work after laying down the trail bed.
I'd get the trail guide to pick your route, its pretty clear about which sections are next to the highway and which are away from it.
The section jut east of newport was the prettiest we rode thru. We stayed at the Golden Hotel and loved it.
July ride
- + Hi, I am an avid Katy rider and I am looking to try ride the Cowboy this summer. How is the grade of this trail? Lot's of hills or is it more gradual like the Katy?
Also, is water pretty abunda...
Discussion started 03/29/2010 08:01 PM by Tom - 2 replies (last reply by Ric at 05/20/2010 11:29 AM)Tom from Kansas City on 03/29/2010 08:01 PM
Hi, I am an avid Katy rider and I am looking to try ride the Cowboy this summer. How is the grade of this trail? Lot's of hills or is it more gradual like the Katy?
Also, is water pretty abundant?
Ray (webmaster) on 04/05/2010 10:08 PM
It's fairly flat, since it was originally a railroad route. There is a slow staedy climb as you head west. Check out the
elevation chart.
Ric from Omaha on 05/20/2010 11:29 AM
Grade is pretty much flat...no coasting ever, at least on the Norfolk to Atkinson stretch. Abundant water? Drinking...in each town. (about every 10 miles), otherwise it crosses the Elkhorn river a few times.
wind
- + is it better to from Valentine to norfolk? I see it is downhill, and the winds are usually from the west are they not?? will you answer this using MY email address so I can see the answer??
Discussion started 04/29/2010 06:53 PM by dave - 1 reply (last reply by Ric at 05/20/2010 11:21 AM)dave from murphys ca on 04/29/2010 06:53 PM
is it better to from Valentine to norfolk? I see it is downhill, and the winds are usually from the west are they not?? will you answer this using MY email address so I can see the answer??
Ric from Omaha on 05/20/2010 11:21 AM
Have only run Norfolk to Atkinson.
Downhill west to east, but it is so gradual, you would not notice it on the CT. Winds can be an issue and can be from several directions...North in the winter, South/Southwest, and even Southeast in the summer. They quite often are 20-30mph and above, so if you're lucky, they will be at your back. Good luck there.
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wind
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expanding Eastward?
- + I know the Chicago North Western ran from Omaha (at Least) and was wondering if they were planning on extending it further east from Norfolk? Coming From Missouri I would like to get the easiest and ...
Discussion started 05/08/2010 02:36 AM by John Mead - 0 repliesJohn Mead from Originally AInsworth Nebraska on 05/08/2010 02:36 AM
I know the Chicago North Western ran from Omaha (at Least) and was wondering if they were planning on extending it further east from Norfolk? Coming From Missouri I would like to get the easiest and safest route to Ainsworth.
Spring time
- + Quick, get out and enjoy the trail!
Discussion started 04/05/2010 10:00 PM - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 04/05/2010 10:05 PM)Anonymous on 04/05/2010 10:00 PM
Quick, get out and enjoy the trail!
Anonymous on 04/05/2010 10:05 PM
Absolutely....
Beyond Valentine
- + When will the trail be expanded past Valentine?
Discussion started 03/12/2010 10:26 PM by TK - 1 reply (last reply by Ray (webmaster) at 03/13/2010 09:56 AM)TK on 03/12/2010 10:26 PM
When will the trail be expanded past Valentine?
Ray (webmaster) on 03/13/2010 09:56 AM
According to the folks at Nebraska Game and Parks, it's a funding issue. The state legislature needs to approve funding for ongoing maintenance of any newly-added sections, before those sections can be built.
So it may be a while before any further expansions happen - don't expect to see anything until the economy improves and the state's budget is flush with cash again.