"One Lap of the Bluffs" tee shirts are now in the mail to those riders who registerred late.

One Lap of Bluffs Oct 2009

Click here for One Lap of the Bluffs route map

When my children were younger, Sue and I often biked with them on the city's streets and sidewalks downtown and back, until my youngest son, John, was clipped by a passing truck. Fortunately, John was not seriously injured, but the event gave us nightmares for years to come, and the bikes stayed In the garage all that time.

I returned to active bicycling again early in 2005, and was astonished to discover the vast network of Council Bluffs and Omaha trails that have since been completed. You can find the trail maps on both citys' Parks and Recreation Departments websites. My favorites would have to be the Riverfront and the Manawa Trails, especially in the early mornings. The scenery is breathtaking. but you must watch for deer, foxes, and wild turkeys along these trails, especially in the mornings... they don't generally hear you approaching on a bike.

We organized the first annual "One Lap of the Bluffs" bicycle ride in October of 2005. I have so enjoyed this route on my nearly daily rides during good weather, and knew others would enjoy it as much as I have over the past couple of years.

The rides start north from Christy Creme on North Broadway, left on Mynster Springs Road, and over the 1st hill to Big Lake Park, where the trails begin. The Big Lake trail connects to the River Trail on North 25th Street; passes the riverboats to the Western Historic Trails Center Trail. It continues across the Harvey's Sports complex and along the South Omaha Bridge Road Trail to the Manawa trail around the lake, and on to the Iowa West Wabash Trace Trailhead Park. Then it's across Harry Langdon Blvd. and across the ISD campus to the Valley View Trail and to Iowa Western Community College. Since the trail ends there, we cross the campus and follow Highway 6, down past K Mart, turn right on McKenzie, and left on Simms, (this is the 2nd hill) and right on Spencer Avenue back down the hill to Christy Creme, the point of origin.

This loop around the city is just under 27 miles, including only two major hills, which are short. Some participants find themselves on foot, but most cyclists can pedal up both of them in lower gears.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge was completed in time for the 2008 "Lap", hence we include an optional loop over the bridge and back on our ride.

Christy Creme's 3rd Annual "One Lap of the Bluffs" Bicycle Ride was held on Sunday, October 7th. Over 70 intrepid bicyclists of all ages took part in the 26 mile circuit starting and finishing at Christy Creme, and by all accounts, all had a wonderful time. The weather, while predicted to be rainy and windy, turned out to be fantastic with temperatures in the upper seventies by the end of the ride.

12 year old Emma Preston leads family members through the s curves on the riverfront trail

Bikers stop for a brief refreshment at the Riverside Grille half way around the Lap

(left to right) Tim Preston, of Boulder, CO., Krista and Brian Dickey, of Omaha, and Connie Spencer, also of Omaha, discuss the "Lap" at Christy Creme after the ride.

The 2nd annual "One Lap of the Bluffs" was held in 2006 as a fundraiser for the pedistrian bridge. Christy Creme is proud to have presented a check for more than $1600 to "Back to the River, Inc." to assist with this project.

One Lap of Bluffs 2006