Bismarck Bike Trail reviews: Pebble Creek loop

Hay Creek crossing

Summary: One steep hill, a couple of pretty creek crossings. Otherwise some of the most boring landscape possible. May I suggest some art to doll it up?

Terrain: Paved

Equipment: Cheap hybrid bike, helmet.

Length: ~3 miles loop

Map: Pebble Creek loop and part of Hay Creek , http://www.bisparks.org/ParksAndTrails/map.asp

The first time I attempted this loop, I made it 1/4 mile down the trail and the skies darkened, rain fell, and then all the sirens in town went off–announcing an impending tornado.  So, that at least was interesting.

But honestly, there is no landscape more boring to me than a golf course. Tamed and combed over. Short of a dramatic weather event, few surprises await you on this loop. Throw in a busy intersection crossing at Century Avenue and some suburban sprawl neighborhood riding, and it’s completely unmemorable.

I guess there’s a good hill climb, if you’re trying to build up some endurance and leg strength. And that means there’s a good hill drop, which I’m always up for. Add part of the Hay Creek trail, and there are some pretty stream crossings and a nice pond to visit.

But I don’t mean to be all negative about this ride. I think there’s a great opportunity for some public art squirreled along this trail. For Bismarck that often means statues of bald eagles, but a little Banksy under the bridge would make this a whole different ride, IMO!

Banksy's Balloon Girl digitally added to Bismarck underpass.

Directions: Park at the end of Lilac Ln . Head east on the Hay Creek trail toward the pond (shown below) and under the I-94 underpass. When you reach the Pebble Creek loop, go clockwise for a longer, easier hill climb. Go counterclockwise to take your hill all at once.

Pond near parking area. Go after a rainstorm to avoid sounds of local lawn mowers.

Tips

• While Bismarck Stories is a big fan of good street art, she in no way condones defacing public property without permission…especially if you have nothing more striking to say than “420.”

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Bismarck Bike Trail reviews: Dakota Zoo to Pioneer Park

Summary: An easy ride with lots of wildlife, keptlife, and deadlife.  Great example of why Bismarck is the out-of-shape cyclists’ outdoor paradise.

Terrain: Paved

Equipment: Cheap hybrid bike, helmet.

Length: ~6 miles out and back

Map: Pioneer Park to Expressway, www.bisparks.org

This is a toodle of a ride from the Dakota Zoo to Pioneer Park along the Missouri River.  Go at around sunset in late spring, and your odds of seeing deer and beaver rise significantly. Plus there isn’t as much motorized activity on the river compared to that on weekends.

Directions: Park near the Dakota Zoo and head south toward the Bismarck Expressway to start the trail. Turn right (west) and follow the trail just north of the Expressway toward the river.  Look to your right as you pass the south edge of the Zoo if you want to see the camels.

Camels not shown

Follow the trail as it turns north (don’t go south into that tunnel on the south!). Now it’s all frogs, swamps, and birds, even as the trail stays flat, wide, and smooth. About half a mile up, you’ll see the entrance to the Mills Interpretive Trail. If you’re on a mountain bike or hybrid, I’d say add that 1-mile gravel loop for even more frogs, swamps, and birds. Plus a family of beaver. But that’s another trail review.

Following the main paved trail north (now I’m assuming you DIDN’T divert on the Mills Interpretive Trail), it’s hard to get lost. Just keep heading north and don’t ride up the hill away from the river or take any bridges across it.

There’s a little bit of sidewalk riding along Riverside Park Road, then various developed parks and parking lots, but you’ll be back to paved trail, frogs, swamp, and birds soon enough.

You’re near the turnaround  when you get to an unfenced, unmarked graveyard by the trail. That’s the deadlife I mentioned before–a pet cemetery dating from mid 1950s to late 1980s.

Inky rests

Turn back when the trail tries to cross the street and make you bike up a steep hill.  There’s no need for that.

Going back is slightly down hill most of the way.

Tips:

• We didn’t see many people on the trail this time. But if you’re coming up on a pedestrian from behind, they like it when you say, “Passing on your left.” Then you pass on their left.
• Smart cyclists travel faster than the mosquitoes and ticks where possible.

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