Review Date
June 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: fensterm ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
A criss-crossing spiderweb of singletrack - very confusing to ride the first time. I would not recommend riding alone the first time here. There are a lot of fun parts (log piles, roller-coaster), but be prepared for dead-end and overgrown trails as well. With some trail work and organization, this system could be great.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Sugar Bottom

Comments

gwinklecentral (11/24/2007)

My only question is, have you ever ridden with a local here? I'm sorry to say, but this trail system sucks, unless you know the correct routes, there are only two ways to learn them, ride there all of the time, or go out with a local.

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Review Date
October 31, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: mwinkle ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I'll update my review of this trail as well. This trail is a very fun place to ride in Iowa. You can ride as little, long or somewhat technical as you want. I would recommend riding with a local rider to learn the trail system. Whether you're a beginner or experienced rider I recommend getting in contact with the rider who posted below-- (gwinklecentral). He has some great MTB connections in the area, and if you get to know him, he may get you a place to crash in the Boulder/Longmont area, so you can enjoy some mountain trails. Even though it's hard to beat the grip Iowa dirt provides.

Recommended Route:
The fun one

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Pole Hill, near Estes Park

Review Date
October 25, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: gwinklecentral ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Hi all,
I need to update my rating on this spectacular trail. First off, for some reason way back when, I gave North Overlook a Zero on technical difficulty. I don't really know what happened there but it should have a 6. Second I ride this trail at least 3-4 times a week which is not an option above. This trail is located about 3 miles or so from Downtown Pella. There is a wonderful paved trail that runs out of Pella along side University Street. It's a boring trail but a great warm up, for the way there, and then the way back. There is also a parking area at the trail on the North/East side of the damn, but riding is better for the environment, so please take advantage of your bike. Best time to ride: I like fall, winter and spring. Summer can get quite overgrown with both vegetation and spider webs, but still a lot of fun. It is also a very interesting ride in the night, make sure you have a light, and glasses are also recommended. You can ride endless miles at north overlook, due to the random and unmarked routes. The trails are bi-directional so please take some caution because other riders may be coming your way. Summary: 1 mile loop, walking trail + Endless single-track, just get off on one and ride. Most of the trails are on east of the paved bike path, but there are some fun roller coaster style trails to the west.

Recommended Route:
Ride and Ride some more. Make your self familiar with the trails and then they will start to come to life. Caution, there can be very tight single-track, log crossings, barbed wire fences, a cemetery, a rock garden and numerous roller coaster style hills. Not limiting to jumps, and sick downhill thrills. Warning: In the past few months several log crossings and trees have been removed from the trail system. Please do not remove these or any other objects, for the sole sake that you have not developed the ability to ride these obstacles. If you would like to come to Pella and ride with me or another local please contact me at Wenclg1@central.edu or contact fastestboy@hotmail.com I will ride, or set you up with a local to show you this wonderful trail system. Ride SFS (Sick, fast, safe)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Seven Oaks, Boone Iowa
Sugar Bottom, Iowa City Iowa
Decorah Trails, Decorah Iowa
Hall Ranch, Lyons Coloardo
Heil Ranch, Boulder-Longmont Colardo
Sunnyside Trail- Aspen Colorado

Review Date
September 6, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jcoronet ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
this trail has mutiple trails there is the main trail which is marked on the map at the trail head. it loops back on itself and is pretty short. has afew small jumps and climbs. it nothing an average ten year old couldn't handle.
if you take one of the smaller tails that break off they are a whole different animal there is a log pile or two lots of steep climbs and desents, afew fallen trees, and lots of spider webs crosing the path and those plant things that stick to your clothes. its a nice trail can't wait to memorize it.

why is there a busted car (vw bus?) in there? how did it get there? there aren't any roads around that part.

Recommended Route:
i haven't memorized it yet but a word of advice don't take the smaller trails at full sped the first time there are a few suprises over some hills.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
it looks like there are some trails on the right side of the paved trail going up the hill

Review Date
April 30, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: mwinkle ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great trail for being in the middle of Iowa. Lots of fun, narrow riding. The roller coaster (oop-di-oop) section is great when you find it, the dirt at this section taste good, but the concussion that happens when you eat the dirt tends to hurt.

Recommended Route:
Follow the dirt trails. I think some of them may be deer trails though.