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Best Short Ride Recommendations?


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Jill from Kansas City on 9/1/2018 9:11:29 AM:
We are planning a trip (from KC,KS) in late September/early October and looking to ride the trail. I'm not a novice but about 20 to 25 miles round trip is about the amount of time during our trip for a half day ride. Can anyone make a recommendation for the best/most scenic trail ride area (starting in one town, returning back) with about a 20 mile round trip distance?

 
Anonymous on 9/1/2018 4:44:39 PM:
In our opinion the Valentine bridge is a must see, and ride over. Park in Arabia parking lot (has a cell tower near it) and ride to the bridge and back. Just past the Arabia Ranch sign..

Or there is a parking lot near the bridge.

Enjoy and have fun!!

 
Cynthya from Salina on 9/1/2018 6:20:58 PM:
Wondered what folks might say. The bridge was my first thought. Totally agree with the other comment. The bridge is spectacular and it is within the first 3 miles and you could decide how much further you wanted to ride. We rode from Valentine to Arabia sign. For us it was a 31 mile ride. We rode on Rans recumbents no problem.

 
Cynthya from Salina, KS on 9/1/2018 8:25:26 PM:
Let me amend thst last response. That a 32 mile roundtrip. Valentine to Arabia snd back
to Valentine.

 
Anonymous on 9/1/2018 9:35:11 PM:
Cynthia - is the 32 miles going from trailhead in Valentine to Arabia?

 
Cynthya from Salina on 9/1/2018 11:41:07 PM:
32 miles roundtrip. Valentine-Arabia-Valentine.

 
Robert Hale from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania on 9/13/2018 10:55:09 AM:
Just rode from Valentine to Norfolk. I would second the ride out of Valentine to the east for scenery. The trail is very good from Valentine to the bridge. The gravel gets a bit loose in places east of the bridge but is Ok - my tires were 700x40. There were some beautiful wooded ponds along the trail east of Valentine, with ducks and cranes. Unfortunately, I can't remember how far out I was when I rode through them. This section was my favorite.

 
Dougt from Onawa, Ia on 9/15/2018 8:54:54 AM:
Robert, I'm taking off tomorrow from Norfolk to Valentine and back. Did you run into many thorns? Any other info that I might find useful? I'm riding a mtn bike w/tire liners. Thanks!

 
Robert Hale from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania on 9/21/2018 11:42:29 AM:
I didn't have any problem with thorns. Sandburs in parts of the trail kicked up on the front panniers. However past Johnstown, I rode mainly on the highwsy.

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