The Cowboy Trail of Nebraska

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Bike & Tire Choice

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Liz from Vienna, VA on 3/20/2026 9:53:17 AM:

Hello --

I'm hoping to ride Valentine to Norfolk in five days the second week of June, mostly camping along the way. I would have loved to join the Bubba's crew the preceding week, but schedule does not allow. So solo it is.

Here are my bike options, and I'd be very grateful for insight for my choice. #1 is a single speed mountain bike; previous owner adapted it with commuter friendly gearing and tires (26" x 1.75"). There is clearance for days so I could get wider MTB tires or go tubeless, I think. Downside here is that any rear flat would require tensioning and that is not something I am particularly adept at. Okay, that I'm scared of (I just basically left original tires on and pretend I could never get a flat, lol).

#2 is a quite nice hybrid with 700 x 38 tires currently, but I only have clearance for up to 42 width. Tubeless would not be possible with current rims.

As you can see, I am concerned about thorns and flats primarily, and trail surface secondarily. I have LOTS of experience with changing flats on my hybrid and for other folks I encounter in my travels, but I don't want to spend all day doing it.

Thanks very much -- looking forward to this adventure!

Chris from Helena,MT on 3/20/2026 11:51:30 AM:

Liz, I have not ridden the Cowboy Trail yet, but plan to do so the first week of June. I’ve done a fair amount of bikepacking and touring and would never consider riding a bike with tires I couldn’t fix on the trail. That alone should rule out your single speed. I have a Surly Bridge Club that can handle either 700x2.2 or 27.5x2.8 tires and a Trek hybrid that can take 700x50 (2.0). I haven’t decided which to ride on the CT yet, but am sure either one would be fine. I’ll be riding tubeless if I ride the Surly. I’d recommend going with the widest tires you can fit on your hybrid. And make sure both the tires and tubes are puncture resistant. From the research I’ve done 700x42 should be OK for an experienced rider.

My regular ride partner said he’s interested in going, but hasn’t fully committed yet. If he bails, I might be able to change my schedule and ride the second week in June if you’re interested in having company.

Good luck!

DougT from Castana, Ia on 3/20/2026 11:56:03 AM:

I don't think a singlespeed will do you any favors. The west end getting to Valentine has some hills. If you use the hybrid I'd guess that the wider the tire the better, but someone more experienced with gravel bikes could weigh in with more knowledge than I. I ride a mtn bike w/2.25 tires. The trail is actually very clean the last few years and they're doing an excellent job keeping the dreaded goathead thorns out. One year I had 8 flats doing the trail out and back, but it's in good shape the last 3 or 4 years. You could always put sealant in your tubes or buy tubes with sealant in them. It's an awesome ride!

Kurt Kinbacher from Chadron, NE on 3/21/2026 5:28:24 AM:

If your rims will not allow Tubeless tires. I would use tubes with green slime in them. You can order tubes already slimed in either presta or shrader valves. Or, if you have removable cores, you can add it yourself. It will seal most punctures, and it works great in goathead country.

Sandy from Loveland, CO on 3/21/2026 2:37:02 PM:

For what it worth, we rode the trail in May 2024. Two bikes with 650x47B (~2") tires and one bike with 700x28C (1 5/8') tires. The skinnier tires had many problems when it hit sand pockets, the fatter tires managed the sand much easier!

opedaler from NE Ne on 3/21/2026 2:52:20 PM:

I have been riding a stretch from Oakdale to Norfolk. Most if it is fine but a stretch from 3 miles west to 1 mile east of Tilden is very soft and deep gravel. Also, some horse tracks around Oakdale. Get as wide of tires as you can.

Liz from Vienna,VA on 3/22/2026 6:14:24 AM:

Thank you very much for all your intel!

It occurs to me that there is one more option: I briefly had a hand me down Specialized 29er that I passed along to a friend during the pandemic. I could borrow it back from her. It has 2.1' knobby tires. With slime tubes, that might be the best choice for both surface and goathead potential.

Thank you again! And Chris, let me know when you nail down your timing. I plan to start on Sunday, June 7.

Chris from Helena,MT on 3/22/2026 9:07:41 AM:

That sounds like a great option! I’ll reach out if my plans change.

BTW, if my plans don’t change, I will probably be driving from Norfolk back west June 6th. I’d have room in my truck to shuttle you to Valentine if the timing worked out.

Chris from Helena on 5/5/2026 5:37:36 PM:

Liz, looks like my partner and I are locked into riding the first week of June. I'm guessing we'll get to Norfolk sometime on the 5th. Not sure if we'll head back west right away or overnight there. If you're driving from VA to Norfolk and want to explore options for us to shuttle you to Valentine, shoot me a text or call 406-202-0003.

Liz from Vienna, VA on 5/15/2026 5:35:52 PM:

Chris, I am so glad you and your ride partner are both able to make the trip. Alas, I don't get to Norfolk until the late afternoon of the 6th. I'm sure you're not eager to hang around any longer than you have to. Have a great ride! If there's any intel or surprises those of us passing through after you should know, I'd be grateful if you leave it here on the forum.

Liz from Vienna,VA on 5/15/2026 5:37:36 PM:

Oh, by the way! I'm riding the MTB. Just got it back from the bike shop for a tune up and slime tubes.

Chris from Helena,MT on 5/15/2026 6:19:50 PM:

Will do. I’ll also let you know if we end up taking longer than expected and won’t reach Norfolk until late on the 6th.

Chris from Helena on 6/1/2026 7:32:41 PM:

Liz, we rode from Valentine to Ainsworth today. The trail is in good shape, but don't fall asleep at the wheel...there are several places especially just after Johnstown where the surface is soft and squirrly. Wood Lake City Park at 26 miles is a nice lunch spot with water and flush toilets. If you want a shower when you get to Ainsworth, go to the city gym on the back of the Convention Center on Hwy 20. Showers are free and the gym is open late. East City Park is a great place to camp. $7.00

Chris from Helena on 6/3/2026 4:28:45 PM:

Liz, we rode Ainsworth to Stuart rather than Atkinson yesterday to even out the mileage. Stuart has a nice campground on the North side of town with a shower house that is across the open area north of the campground. Clean bathrooms and a big picnic shelter that came in handy when a massive storm hit around 5:30 this morning. The trail yesterday and today to O'Neill continues to be in excellent condition.

Liz from Vienna, VA on 6/4/2026 10:18:39 PM:

Chris, this intel is fantastic, thanks!

One question. Did you use ordinary tent stakes? I also have sand stakes and I didn’t know if the sand hills require sand stakes (at the risk of overthinking this).

Enjoy the rest of your trip! Hope the weather held out for you. Looks like I will have quite a windy first day.

Liz

Chris from Helena on 6/5/2026 12:52:59 PM:

Liz, regular tent stakes work fine. All the campgrounds are grassy lawns. Riverside Park in Neligh is a great place to camp right off the trail. Hot showers and nice tent sites with power to charge phones. We just finished in Norfolk. The trail was good all the way, but watch for very sandy sections between Oakdale and Tilden! The detours are easy to navigate and just as Alex from Nebraska Gama and Parks described. Hope you catch a few tailwinds...we did not! Pedal Farther!

Chris from Helena on 6/6/2026 11:42:12 AM:

One other highlight for you, Liz, is the H&H Bakery right off the trail in Emmett. If you get there when they're open it's definitely worth stop!

Liz from Vienna,VA on 6/6/2026 8:03:51 PM:

Well, things did not go according to plan so far. I got a text late this morning that U-Haul canceled my reservation for the vehicle I was going to use to shuttle. I called and there was nothing they can do. By that time I couldn’t cancel my hotel reservation in Norfolk (a points stay), so here I am. I’m thinking I will do out and back rides for the next 4-5 days — probably won’t cover the whole trail, but will see as much as I can. Happy to take recommendations for the can’t-miss spots! Thanks again, Chris!

Kurt Kinbacher from CHADRON, NE on 6/7/2026 9:11:59 AM:

hi Liz:

My favorite parts of the trail are from Valentine to Wood Lake (Sandhills at their finest); From Ainsworth to Long Pine (Long Pine Creek is amazing); Newport (check out the pool hall) to Atkinson; Oakdale to Norfolk (A lot more trees in this section). Happy Trails.

Chris from Helena on 6/7/2026 7:01:15 PM:

Liz, sorry to hear about the shuttle snafu. I just got home after 2 long days driving so didn't see your note until now.

I agree with Kurt's suggestions. Out and backs from Norfolk, Neligh, Ainsworth, and especially Valentine to Wood Lake and back would be great. I'd avoid the sections with detours on the highway if you can.

One advantage of out and backs vs through rides like we did is that at least half the time there's a chance for a tailwind. We had none! You can also spend more time exploring the small towns which we found fun. Little league baseball in Neligh and open mic night at Bolo Brewery in Valentine were flashbacks to earlier and easier times in America.

Liz from Vienna,VA on 6/21/2026 3:32:45 PM:

Hello --

Sorry for the delayed response to this thread, and THANKS! I followed your advice exactly -- did out and back rides starting in Valentine, Long Pine, Atkinson and Norfolk. I had headwinds, tailwinds, crosswinds and for a mile or two, no wind at all! I got lucky with rain -- hardly any while I was on the bike. The afternoon/evening forecast one day was scary enough to make me opt for a motel in Atkinson and I was glad I did.

Overall, I found the trail to be in outstanding condition. The MTB worked out great. The scenery is beautiful. Compared to the Katy Trail, for instance, there are fewer touring cyclist and town amenities, and I hope that comes with time because I found this trail well worth the visit. When I found businesses open in trail towns, everyone was so friendly and helpful.

There were a few eateries I discovered that I didn't see noted on the forum -- I know coffee shops come and go -- but I will try to update the town pages to mention them.

Thanks again for the advice!

Chris from Helena on 6/21/2026 9:28:47 PM:

So glad you had a good time, Liz! I agree that the folks in the small Nebraska towns are wonderful. Keep pedaling!

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