The Wabash Trace is 63 miles of crushed limestone, stretching from Council Bluffs to Blanchard, MO. It’s part of the rails-to-trails system, a project that has picked up steam in recent years to convert abandoned rail lines into usable recreation spaces. This trail, mostly shaded and with pleasant rural scenery, is my go-to for biking in the Council Bluffs/Omaha metro. Trailhead in southeast Council Bluffs is easily accessible. A short ride entails riding to Mineola and back. It’s uphill until Dumfries, then you coast on into Mineola. There is a restaurant in Mineola, but not much else; pack your eats and drinks. If I’m feeling good, I ride 4.3 miles more past Mineola to Silver City; 2 miles slightly uphill; 2 down. Also minimal amenities in Silver City, however; there is a soda machine by the library there. If I’m feeling ambitious, on a morning I’ll ride 8 more miles to Malvern. Here, there is more to see in town. There are local eateries, a Casey’s, and it’s fun to bike around downtown. A word to the wise and casual or even serious biker: Don’t ride the Trace on a Thursday night. The Taco Ride is every Thursday, and its ridership is only increasing; the trail in addition to the parking lot on this night each week is packed. Be sure to pay if you partake. It’s $ 1/day or $ 10 for an annual pass.
