Muscatine

     I am not complaining nor do I want to stirr up a hornets nest, I just have some observations about Muscatine and bicycles that I would like to share.

     For the most part cyclists in Muscatine are well equipped with helmets, lights, and brightly colored jersey's. That is the road cyclist, not your typical street corner kid. And most obey the laws, ride to the right, not side by side, dont' cut corners or thru parking lots. Sometimes we have to move left to avoid pot-holes and debri and there seems to be a lot here. Myself, I try not to ride on the streets, way too dangerous here. I have had three near misses already this spring. Not to mention the semi traffic on Mulberry. I do most of my riding on the trails here, or what you folks call trails. I have had the opportunity to live in other city's and ride their trails and what a difference.

     The trails here are very short, and really dont have much to offer. On the west end you start on Houser and ride behind MPW, cross traffic on Cedar then into the Discovery center. A good trail to stroll with your family, but not much for riding. It's very short and starts and ends nowhere. From there you move down Houser and ride thru the ball diamonds and end up somewhere on Roby St. Not much for leingth and about 500 yds of slough for scenery. From there you can risk life and limb and cross Grandview Ave. and run some back streets to get to GPC, the start of another trail or is it a continuation of the others? If so the dots arent connected. Either way GPC doesnt' lend much to scenery or smell, but at least you ride out of it. The trail runs to Weed park and ends? It's here you have the option to either lap the park in traffic or head back to the riverfront.  This is the only trail of any leingth to speak of.

     Riding in traffic here isnt' much of an option. Most drivers are very impatient and the streets are riddled with pot-holes or narrow enough for only one. Some motorists get a charge of blowing their horns just as they get along side of you. Others just pass as if you arent there, literally within inches. At least I havnt' been hit by lit cigarette, yet.

     I am just trying to enjoy my off time no different than the guy on the golf course, or out in the bass boat.  

Okay, I'll bite. Maybe you should contact Harper's bikes. I think them boys ride a lot. Maybe you could hook up with them or they could give you a better bike path. I see them a lot on the highways, so you might want to try that, or maybe bike at wild cat den (that seems like a longer destination than you are trying.)

 

Also, you have to understand that Muscatine is a working town. A factory town. It is not good to be on the main strip (at Hon outlets) at noon or 5 p.m. Especially Park Ave. I've lived here all my life and I know better than to go out at them times even with a car. As far as the potholes, welcome to Muscracktine. No amount of complaining will ever get them fixed. Just think of it as "extreme biking". haha.

     I'm not asking for anyone to bite. I just wanted to post my opinion. I dont want to ride with Harpers. Highways?? you try riding them. Also with the industrial base we have here we should have better road maintenance as well as a few other "perks" Those are opinions.

  It sounds like you crave miles and miles of connected, perfectly maintained trails in order to be a happy biker. Sorry we don't measure up but your in hicksville. If you can't have what you want, want what you have. My opinion.