Byways for bicycles: Nebraska rails-trails offer gateways to outdoor adventure
In the 1900s, railroad lines crisscrossed Nebraska’s plains, transporting grain from small towns to larger hubs. While the days of the short-haul rail lines have long since passed, the open corridors they left behind offer a unique opportunity for the development of recreation trails that allow cyclists to get out and experience beautiful places they may not otherwise find. As they run amidst the corn, wheat, soybean and alfalfa fields common to the region, these trails pay homage to the agricultural roots that gave birth to the rail beds on which they are built.
Easy rail-trail adventures
For riders who choose to stay exclusively on the trails, navigation is easy and motorized traffic is virtually nonexistent, save for that encountered at a few intersections. Combine this with a typically mild grade and a relatively smooth crushed gravel or concrete surface, and it’s easy to see why rail-trails offer awesome opportunities for safe, easy and fun family adventures. Many of Nebraska’s rail-trails are located in the eastern half of the state, making them easily accessible to the majority of the population. Yet despite their proximity to metro areas, the city quickly fades into the distance after a few minutes out on the trail. That’s why rail-trails originating from cities are extremely popular with bicyclists seeking a quick escape for some exercise after a hard day at work. The trails get them quickly out and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and they’re able to go out, turn around and get back in a predictable amount of time. It’s an easy way to get a great outdoor experience.
Ramping up the adventure
A growing trend with long-distance and competitive cyclists in Nebraska is to use the rail-trails as an easy exit from the city and a gateway to the virtually unlimited network of gravel roads that form the foundation of the state’s rural transportation system. In this manner, adventure-seeking cyclists are able to devise a multitude of routes of varying difficulties and distances, depending on ability level of the riders in the group, the weather and the desired intensity for the day. These combination rides, or blends, are becoming popular with riders seeking varied challenges and routes.
The ability to link together multiple areas, that offer off-road trails—such as Branched Oak and Wagontrain State Recreation Areas, for example—by linking them using a combination of trails and gravel roads is driving a lot of the blended rides. In addition, many riders have found that rail-trails and rural gravel roads simply deliver a more laid-back, scenic experience.
MoPac/MoPac East Recreational Trail
The MoPac East Recreational Trail is one of two rail-trails with trailheads within Lincoln’s city limits that can legitimately be considered a stand-alone ride. It is a 22-mile crushed limestone trail that currently runs from 84th and Hazelwood streets in Lincoln northeast to the town of Wabash along the former Missouri-Pacific railroad corridor. It was an active rail line until storm damage in 1984 forced its abandonment. The Great Plains Trails Network (GPTN) raised funds to purchase the property and by 1991 the MoPac East Recreational Trail had been created. Within Lincoln’s city limits, the three-mile MoPac Trail gives cyclists paved access to the MoPac East trail from as far away as downtown Lincoln. The trail also provides a critical east-to-west link through the city for the multitude of daily cycling commuters.
Plans are currently underway to extend the MoPac East Recreational Trail beyond its current terminus at Wabash north to the Lied Platte River Bridge near South Bend, itself an abandoned Rock Island railroad bridge. The long-term plan is for the MoPac East trail to connect into Omaha’s expansive trail network, which will allow cyclists to travel from Lincoln to Omaha entirely by recreational trails.
A marked county road route currently exists from Wabash to the Platte River connection, and the route has seen steadily increasing usage in recent years, especially during the warmer months and on weekends. This is a good example of a combo ride that makes use of both trails and gravel roads. The route to the Lied Platte River Bridge also gives easy access to a number of other popular attractions, including Schramm, Mahoney and Platte River state parks, the Strategic Air & Space Museum, Quarry Oaks golf course and the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari.
In 2008, the first annual Market-to-Market Relay running event used the Lied Platte River Bridge and the gravel connector route, as well as the entire MoPac East trail, as part of its course from Omaha to Lincoln—significantly increasing the visibility of the route with the public. It also highlighted challenges that remain between planners and adjacent landowners in the acquisition of land necessary to complete the trail between Wabash and the Lied Platte River Bridge.
Jamaica North/Homestead Corridor trails
Developed by the city of Lincoln to connect the city’s trail system into the Homestead Corridor Trail, the Jamaica North trail is part of a 60-mile corridor between Lincoln and Marysville, Kan., which is owned by several entities and is planned to be fully developed into an end-to-end rail-trail. The Jamaica North segment is approximately 6.5 miles in length and parallels the city’s Wilderness Park off-road trail network, which includes approximately 22 miles of dirt trails for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers.
At the south end of the Jamaica North trail is the Homestead Corridor trail. The first 13-mile segment of trail from 20th and Saltillo Road to the town of Cortland is currently finished. The stretch was completed during the fall of 2006 and summer of 2007, due in large part to a huge volunteer effort coordinated by retired Lincoln construction engineer and cyclist Lynn Lightner, with the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District providing materials and much of the equipment.
The result of Lightner and his team’s work—the 13-mile segment of the Homestead Corridor trail—is a great start to what will eventually be one of the jewels in Nebraska’s rail-trail crown. Here’s why: When combined with the MoPac/MoPac East trail and its connection to the Lied Platte River Bridge and then into Omaha’s trail network and the new Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River, the Homestead Corridor trail will eventually make it possible to go from Kansas to Iowa (a trip of at least 120 miles) by bicycle, virtually all on trails. It’s not reality yet, but it will be soon. The city of Beatrice owns the segment of trail between Beatrice and Cortland. Development is expected to begin within the next couple of years on that trail segment.
Oak Creek Trail
Easily one of the most scenic, beautiful trails in Nebraska, Oak Creek is a 12-mile rail-trail between the towns of Valparaiso and Brainard along the former Union Pacific railroad corridor. Along its route, the Oak Creek Trail passes through Bohemian Alps region of southeastern Nebraska, so named for its long, rolling hills that reminded the Czech immigrants of their homeland.
For most cyclists, the Oak Creek Trail is one that they will drive to, park and ride. That said, a few hardy Lincoln cyclists will ride the 21 miles to Valparaiso on gravel roads, hit the Oak Creek trail for the 26-mile round-trip to Brainard and back, then back to Lincoln via gravel roads. For an easier route, riders can take the same route out and back. Riders with good knowledge of the local roads, maps in hand or a GPS on board, will often change up their route on the return gravel route. It’s a good way to spice up the adventure, and it allows riders to even tack on a few extra miles if they’re feeling really good or some single track at Branched Oak State Recreation Area if they want to hit a bit of “real dirt.”
The Cowboy Trail
Nebraska’s first state recreational trail and the nation’s longest rail-to-trail conversion, the Cowboy Trail is a project that is currently almost half completed. With more than 161 miles of a planned 321 miles of trail open, including a continuous 143-mile stretch of trail from Norfolk to Ainsworth, the route follows the former Chicago and Northwestern railroad corridor through the farmlands and riverbanks of the Elkhorn River Valley. At O’Neill, a trailhead at the Old Historic Railroad Depot, which is registered on the National Registry of Historic Places, provides restrooms with running water, trail information and ample parking.
The trail reaches the end of its current build-out as it passes from the native prairies of the O’Neill and Atkinson areas to the foot of the Nebraska Sand Hills around Ainsworth. When finished, the trail will pass over a total of 221 bridges and through 29 communities on its 321-mile journey across the state to the Pine Ridge near Chadron. The best part for cyclotourists is the fact that communities along the route are spaced at 10- to 15-mile intervals, making the route ideally suited for bicycle travel.
Tips for a terrific trail day
Goathead thorns and the flat tires they cause are the primary challenge cyclists face on Nebraska’s rail-trails. The good news is that, with a few precautions, most cyclists can significantly reduce the number of flat tires they experience.
Most rural rail-trails feature a crushed limestone surface. During the summer, lush green vegetation grows prominently on the sides and center of the trail, often leaving two side-by-side limestone paths. This is often where the goatheads are growing, and the key to avoid getting them in your tires is, in a nutshell, to avoid riding across anything green and growing on the trail. Self-sealing tubes are also an option that is available from your local bicycle retailer. Though they add a bit of weight, these sealant-filled tubes can be a good option for riders who repeatedly have issues with flat tires, as they actively seal thorn punctures while riding.
Next, always carry a spare tube, tire levers, patch kit and a pump. In the event that you do get a flat tire, you’ll be very happy you came prepared. A multi-tool with a basic selection of 4, 5 and 6 mm metric hex keys, a chain breaker and screwdrivers is also a good idea to take along, in case you have a minor bicycle-related breakdown on the trail.
Finally, carry a cell phone with you and let somebody know where you’re going, along with when you plan to return. If you end up getting in over your head (and this author has had it happen a couple of times), you’ll be awfully glad you had that little piece of technology in your pocket.
Nebraska rail-trail adventures are waiting for you
Whether you’re a beginning biker seeking an escape after a long day at work or a serious cyclist looking for an unlimited horizon of adventure, Nebraska’s rail-trails deliver great options. So grab your helmet, find a trail near you and saddle up for a great ride!
Additional Resouces
Rail-trails (national)
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Nebraska bicycle trails
Great Plains Trail Network (GPTN)
Nebraska Trails Council
Trails Have Our Respect (THOR)
Bicycle events in Nebraska
Nebraska Tourism
Nebraska Cycling News
Angry Cow Adventures
Folks From Lincoln
Pedal Omaha
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