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FDR Park
15 reviews
4.73 of 5
Lots of singletrack and ATV trails run through the park, which is heavily wooded. Lots of big climbs and long downhills, some jumps and obstacles made out of logs, stream crossings, tight switchback curves, and what appear to be either sinkholes or abandoned mine shafts (these are surrounded by orange fencing, but keep an eye out for them).
Take Cedar Cross Road South from Highway 20. Turn right on North Cascade Road. FDR Park is a few miles out of town, and the turn-off is an unmarked gravel road. Park at the gate (don't drive through if it's open). Can be hard to find. The park can also be entered on the South end at the Dubuque Sports Complex on Nightengale Lane (a right turn off of Cedar Cross). Cross the creek and head to the treeline on the ball field. There are several trails.
Summary: I just rode this trail for the first time with my nephew -- what a great jewel hidden right in Dubuque! Full of singletrack everywhere. Nice mix of twisty trails, creek crossings, faster flats, and some technical man-made obstacles. We zig-zagged around for an hour and a half and had a great time.
I'm told that this trail is "unofficial". You have to pass a park closed sign at the gate, but, apparently the policy is "don't ask, don't tell". We didn't have any issues.
Recommended Route: This is the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars. Clearly, there are some maintained, planned trails with signs, but there are so many wildcat trails, that it's really hard to know where to go without a local guide. Looking back at the GPS track someone else posted, I realize that we missed a good 1/2 of the park because we didn't know how to get there. Once we ended up on a side trail full of thorns! It'd be great if the city could make this park official and have the 6 mile loop that others mention restored with clear signage. In the meantime, just go explore. Our favorite trail started at the "T" in the gravel road. Stay to the left. This becomes Sticks and Stones, with another loop added on. By following the most worn trail at intersections, we had a great ride with log jumps, tight sections and fun singletrack.
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Summary: This is a great set of trails that's within five minutes of Dubuque. There are over 12 miles of trails here that are maintained by volunteers that clear the trails and are currently working on a couple new trails. HERE IS A LINK TO THE 98% COMPLETE MAP OF THE TRAILS: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/kml/episode.kml?episodePkValues=7957660
For more info on group rides or LBS check out Free Flight or Bicycle World.
Recommended Route: Take the first singletrack to the right, and go from there. The trails all intersect. Check out the entire park!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Sugar Bottom; Blue Mounds; Decorah
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Summary: I have to agree w/ the previous reviewer. If these are your local trails you are lucky boys & girls. I recently visited family in the area & read of these trails on this forum. I stopped at a LBS (The Bike Shack) & asked for directions & advice. One of the shop employees was enthusiastic & offered to guide me around the next morning. Thanks Phillip! These trails are in a beautiful wooded park & flow very nicely. There are some rocky ledges, stream crossings, log piles, & enough technical challenges that I had to walk a few portions as a first-timer. I look forward to a return trip & more exploring time. Thanks to all the local folks who created & maintain these trails!
Recommended Route: Best to ride with a local. If not, jump in & start exploring. There's a narrow gravel road that bisects most of the park that will give the first-timer a reference point.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Sugarbottom Rec. Area
Decorah Trails
Levis Mound, WI
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Summary: I was back in the DBQ area visiting family this October (now live in Denver, CO), and brought my bike to see what riding was to had in the area. I found these trails through this site, and am glad I did.
FDR offered the best riding I've experienced in the midwest so far - it's got good climbs, fast & sustained singletrack stretches, technical logs & rocks, and lots of twisty handlebar-bashing fun. Cool sinkholes and limestone bluffs too. I was surprised at the amount of trails, and the consistent quality - someone has put time, effort and love into the system here, and produced a real gem in the middle of seemingly nowhere (literally - it's a b!tch to find, and is completely unmarked).
Some of the reviews compare FDR to Moab, Vail or Fruita - which is probably not a fair comparison. The trails in CO and the west are much more open - fewer forested sections - and offer a much greater elevation gain/loss. You can take an 8 hour ride and not ever cover the same trail twice. You can climb for an hour+ non-stop, which won't ever happen in Iowa (barring a geological catastrophe). There's just more to be ridden, by a much bigger biking audience, and it varies so much from trail to trail.
That said, FDR was a blast - it ain't Colorado or Utah, but it is a great time. You can ride around without hitting the same trail for a few hours - then go back and hit your favorite stretches from a different direction.
Recommended Route: I got thouroughly lost and enjoyed every minute of it. All trails eventually lead back to the gravel road bisecting the park...
Other recommended trails in the same area: George Wyth, Sugar Bottom, Blue Mounds, Gov Dodge, Kettle Moraine...
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Summary: The best in the mid-west!!! FDR has the best off road single track that I have ever riden. I would suggest these trails to anyone that is looking for the type of trail that provides mud, water, hills, rocks, and beautiful scenery. I went the day after it rained, which was muddy. With the hills the mud made it impossible to climb some of the hills. However, next time I'm going when it is dry, I am also taking off my foot straps, and buying a helmet. I provided a pic to the site. Hopefully they post it.
Recommended Route: HWY 20 E turn right on Cedar Cross- Right on N Cascade- Right after the kids Zoo
Other recommended trails in the same area: Exploring
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