Review Date
September 4, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: 06 rush cannondale rider ,  Downhiller

Summary:
the trails are awesome, only got to one section of the different terrains, we lucked out and found the insane downhill technical sections.
it was a bit of walkin, but worth every step!!
did bail out and crash a couple of times, but luckly not off the drops!!
but that risk is what makes you appreciate the ride, hang on!!
what a rush, do yourself a favor tune the bike up, especially the brakes and suspension drive a hour or to like i did to treat yourself to some kick a** trails!!!!
talk to the guys at the bike shop, open 361 days a year!!!!!
they were very helpful.
going back agian this weekend and the one after etc... etc...

ride on!!!!

(06 Cannondale rush, nothin stock)

Recommended Route:
several to pick from, at least 3 different sections, we spent most of the day on only one section, just explore and keep your eyes on the trail and your hands on the bars!!
pick up a map from the bike shop or the signs that are at the openings of the trails.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
just go here, enough said!!!!

Review Date
August 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: bonzi13 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I'm a new rider this year so I haven't been on a lot of trails. I have been to Seven Oaks in Boone, IA and the trails in Floyd, IA but the trails in Decorah have been the best so far. There are plenty of trails in the area. They all start out as a climb and it is some serious climbing. Once you get to the top there are some nice spots just to take it easy on. I thought the downhills were pretty intense. I just wish it wasn't over an hour drive for me, otherwise I would be there way more.

Review Date
June 21, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: mtb05grl ,  Racer

Summary:
Wow. That basically describes this trail. I've heard a ton of good things about the trail but didn't make it up to ride them until I had been riding for 3 years. These trails were awesome. I've ridden trails in Colorado before. The Decorah trails reminded me a lot of a few of the trails out west. Long, steep climbs and super fast decents. This trail is technical and fun. I wouldn't recommend if for beginners. These trails are by far the best trails I've ridden in the midwest.

Recommended Route:
Follow the numbers and arrows.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Sugar bottom, Lake Geode, Dehn's

Review Date
September 16, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: tunashorts ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:

Although this area has some novice ready trail (River Trail), I would consider it more ideal for the serious mountain biker. Quite a bit of climbing and some quite technical areas. Credit to those who work this trail. They are clear so you can see what you might want to walk but you will not have to walk much. Many areas roll nicely.

They guy at the LBS was very helpful.

I drove six hours (there and back) to ride these trails and it was worth every minute of driving. I love Fred Trail.

Recommended Route:
Start with River Trails. There are two sections East (Palasaids Park) and West. Intersections are numbered and well marked. Maps available at LBS.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Sugarbottom

Review Date
September 10, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: DLine ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Decided to check out these trail when I had a free afternoon in NE Iowa, and glad I did. Great fun - more climbing than you can find anywhere around here, with more technical challenge too. Good steep uphills with some length lead to tight twisty downhills. Logs, roots and rocks scatter here and there to make it interesting. There's even a log-ride stunt for those with solid handling skills.

I dropped into town with about 2 hours to ride, and stopped by Decorah Bicycles. I had just walked through the door when the guy behind the desk piped "who's the guy with the MTB bike on the rack?" Travis greeted me warmly, and was quick to hook me up with Trevor, a shop employee who was just about to head out for an after-work ride. A guided tour - Iowa hospitality at its best.

A general note - when the local who's agreed to show his trails shows up on a singlespeed, you're in for some pain. I tried to keep up with him, but got smoked - didn't really matter that much, I was having such a good time. I thought that coming from Colorado, I wouldn't have a problem with the Iowa hills, but like I mentioned, they were steep, and often off-camber following a quick descent - you have to anticpate shifts to carry momentum (or, if on a singlespeed, carry lots of speed and mash hard). Towards the end, I started to leave the shifter alone to stand up and mash my way through stuff, which seemed to work better than spinning a lower gear like I'm used to

The bottom line is these trails are a fine example of midwest riding, but with some decent hills thrown in to the mix. The trails are well marked and maintained. If you're lucky enough to ride with, or even talk to one of the locals about their system, you'll find a friendly, enthusiastic advocate for the sport and their trails. This is a must-do for anyone in the surrounding area, or anyone driving though the area.

Recommended Route:
I coudn't tell you what the trail names were or in which direction I rode them. I was just trying to keep up. When we got back to the shop, they showed me what we had ridden - pretty much everything except for Palisade Park. I'll hit that one next time I'm in town, but I'll still stop in to see if someone wants to go for a ride. There's no better way to experience a trail than through someone who knows it like the back of their hand. Thanks again.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
FDR in Dudbuque, Ulrich in Cedar Falls, but nothing is even close to as good as this.