Cross Country Self Contained - Road or Trail

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From Ohio - Mike from Just Nort of Dayton, Ohio on 3/1/2016 3:44:20 PM:

I will be riding self contained from Oregon starting in June passing through the Badlands and then south to Valentine on into Iowa. Some of the posts warn of rough trail, thorns and bridges out. Is the road along the trail a good alternative from Valentine to Norfolk? Do any readers have experience getting through the Badlands south to Valentine?

Mooresnow from Norfolk on 4/4/2016 7:47:39 AM:

Sounds like it should be an amazing trip! Just did Bar Harbor to Seattle this summer. I've ridden the trail from Clearwater to Norfolk and can say that section is very smooth. I can't speak to anything past Clearwater. Thorns can definitely be a problem out here whether you are on the road or the trail. I would highly recommend flat protection of some sort. Have a fun trip!

J. E. on 5/4/2016 7:22:35 PM:

Last I knew, there was a bridge out by Oakdale, but this was a few years ago, so Mooresnow may know better than me. It is easily avoided as the highway runs close to the trail except where that bridge was out. Just take highway 275 from Neligh to Oakdale and then hop back on the trail.

As another hint, check Google maps and make an alternate route for if it is rainy when you come through. Highway and/or county blacktop run within a mile of the trail most of the way. It isn't near as cool is riding on the trail, but patches can get soft.

J. E, on 5/4/2016 7:28:33 PM:

I am sorry, I saw another post from earlier this year and realized I had the wrong bridge. Like I said-- it was a couple of years ago. Clearwater bridge is out. Take 275 from Clearwater for a few miles east, until you see the trail again to the south of the highway-- anywhere east of 519 Ave.

jan maruska from little canada on 5/5/2016 11:14:40 AM:

interesting. my daughter and i are walking it in june. hope the weather holds.

Anonymous on 6/20/2016 12:28:20 PM:

So is this bridge still out?

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