World's Most Spectacular Pedestrian Bridges

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is one on the World's Most Spectacular Pedestrian Bridges, according to Travel + Leisure Magazine. From my experience with the Big Dam Bridge in Little Rock/N. Little Rock, Arkansas, I knew the "Bob Bridge" would become a destination in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area.

Here's what Travel + Leisure said about the importance of bridges like the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge...

"The most successful fall somewhere between spectacle and conduit because they blaze a path where no one felt the need for one before. The newly built Bob Kerrey Bridge linking Omaha, NE, to Council Bluffs, IA, surely attracts tourists, but it has also changed life for the locals. Footbridges encourage new patterns of development geared toward human-powered pace, especially along the nearby waterfronts."

On top of that, the cover photo of the 2011 Iowa Transportation Map (free road map) is of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge!

Speaking of bike rides

Last week I rode over to check out the new South Omaha Bridge (Veteran's Memorial Bridge). From the Iowa side, its looking nearly completed. They are pouring the decorative red concrete in the median. i have heard that one of my cycling friends has ridden across the bridge.

The new bridge has a bicycle/pedestrian lane on the North side. This will then give us another safe river crossing.

There is still a section of the Veteran's Memorial Trail from the levee to the motel that have not been completed.

While riding one day this week, I started thinking about how many miles I have ridden in the less than 5 years I have been riding. Thinking that it has to be near 10,000, I totaled it up. I am at about 10,600 miles! Some time last Fall I hit the 10K - no fan fare, just pedaled past it.

Yesterday, I attended the THOR Trail day at Lewis & Clark Memorial. Taking it easy, I took photos and procured refreshments. Check out thee photos at http://thor-trails.blogspot.com

Need to catch up

WOW, where did the week go?

Monday marked 2 weeks of radiation treatments to go. Some recovery time from the Sunday bike ride.

Was going to wait until later in the week to ride again but Tuesday it was just tooooo nice. Upper 60s when I got home from the Med Center. Changed clothes, grabbed the hybrid for a bike ride.

Wind from the WSW. Headed from the bike shop toward the trail center. From there, on up to the Bob Bridge.

The river has receded back into its banks. The new park between the levee and the river is still very wet. The same for the construction area West of the levee. At least the gravel detour just at I-480 is drier and ridable!

From there, it "coasting? with the wind toward Big Lake. Wanted to ride op to Big Lake to see how construction was taking shape. The North lake actually looks like a lake, now! And, the new "boardwalk" is completed and open.

Good job Council Bluffs. Looking good!

From Big Lake, completed my "tour de bluffs" (first for the season) down N. 8th, and through town. On up Harry Langdon, Woodbury, and to the Mall. Back at the Xtreme Wheels, visited for a while.

Off the bike Wednesday - needing a good rest!

Sunday Afternoon Ride

Just had to get out to ride this afternoon. The forecast was for cloudy, with promises of sunny later. By noon I was chomping at the bit and by 1 on the way to the Wabash Trace Trailhead. At that time, it was in the upper 50s and cloudy.

Brought the hybrid to get in some miles. Headed out for Lake Manawa (no climbing for me today). Stopped at the river side boat ramp (mountain bike trails) area to check how the water was receding. The verdict - slow but surely. Caught a shot of the sign advertising Lake Manawa Clean-up Day.

Was debating riding over to the Bob Bridge, but that was a bit longer than I wanted to ride today. Instead, went up the Indian Creek Trail to the Veteran's Memorial Trail. Rode there to the new bridge. The new bridge will include a bicycle/pedestrian path. Another way to get across the Missouri via human power.

Back the same way. Shot some photos of the new bridge decking over Indian Creek. Lots of folks out for a Easter Stroll or Sunday afternoon ride. Max (of Xtreme Century fame) was out with 2 riding friends. A group of BBC (?) riders crossed Indian Creek as I was taking photos.

As I was riding the Lake Manawa Trail back to the car, the sun came out. Better late than never. Stall was a good 19 mile ride (OK, only 18.7 miles @ 11.94 mph but who keeps track?!)

Council Bluffs Riverfront

This week work started on the Council Bluffs Riverfront - Phase 1. This section is just South of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Click HERE to see the plan.

Trees being cleared between the Iowa Riverfront Trail and river. for the new green space. On the other side of the trail construction is continuing.

My ride started from the Western Historic Trails Center. Rode to the pedestrian and over to the middle of the bridge. Took a few photos there. Then road on up to N. 25th St.

Stopped at the construction area again to take more photos. While just about ready to head back to the trail center, was hailed by Mike - a guy met on the trail Sunday. He was on his bike (thinking its his first bike ride of the year). Nice chat there.

On the way back home stopped again at Xtreme Wheels. Became a busy day at the shop. Almost like "old home day". Randy (and tribe) and Andrew were there. Few others I don't know remember (I hate it when that happens).

Big Lake Construction Status

Saturday I made my "Tour de Bluffs". Sunny, upper 60s to lower 70s. Some wind from the North.

Dirt moving is progressing where Playground Park was. That is just across the Bob Bridge from Omaha.

Riding on North on the Iowa Riverfront Trail, I stopped at Big Lake Park for a rest stop and see what has been doing. As you can see in the top/left photo, there is a new, rock retaining wall around the lake. Folks are already fishing from the ramp. Construction continues. New concrete trail (some just poured) looks to be encircling the lake. There's a new fishing/viewing path on the East side of the lake (lower/right photo).

Biked over the the North lake to check on the new boardwalk. No progress there.

Ended back at Xtreme Wheels. Nice ride on the hybrid (and no flat!).

A #10 Day - (almost)

It was in the upper 60s yesterday afternoon when I headed to town for a ride. Brought the hybrid for a pavement ride on the bike paths. Mostly sunny, light breeze from the south.

Stopped at the Western Historic Trails Center. From there, rode across the "Bob Bridge" to Omaha. Stopped at Lewis & Clark Landing for a break - Gatorade and Clif Bar. I have been over the bridge many times, yesterday I stopped to take a photo of my bike straddling the state line.

Back on the Iowa side of the river, I headed back. Planned to ride down the Veteran's Memorial Trail to the construction of the new bridge. That plan was scrubbed when I got a flat at the I-80 bridge.

Getting tired of the flats on this bike. Three flats in the last 4 rides. I had ridden about 300 miles on the new tires without a flat. Now 3 in 100 miles. Will be stopping at the bike shop later to do post mortem on the tubes.

With no more spare tubes with me, I canceled the part of the ride to the Veteran's Memorial Bridge construction. Got back at the bike shop and was able to mention the problems to Blaine. For now - think I will ride one of my mountain bikes for a few days. (Have not had a flat problem on them - other than the goatheads in AZ and NM).

Special Note: Xtreme Wheels is now operating under winter hours schedule. Shop opens at 11am.

Spring has Sprung!

The first full day of Spring (Saturday) was a great day to be our on the bike. Light breeze, sunny, in the 70s, what more could you want. (OK, it would be nice to have the trail repaved under Hwy 92 - see photo.)

Head out from Xtreme Wheels, heading to Omaha. Decided to ride the hardtail since the studded tires are off and I had not ridden that bike in a while. Lots of folks on the trails and the Bob Bridge.

Turned back at Millers Landing. Debated where to ride on the way back. Ended up riding the same way back (did not want to ride through town on a Saturday afternoon).

A great ride (one of my few A+ graded rides) - just short of 29 miles. Happy with the 12+ mph pace including over the Bob Bridge, and on fat tires.

Topped over 500 miles for the year so far.

Awesome Day, Sweet Ride

What a beautiful day. When I decided to head out to ride, it was about 65 deg, sunny, and no wind. The 4300 needed to be checked out after derailleur repairs, so brought it to the bike shop, switch pedals to the full (no flat side) clipless. Rode out from the shop.

Was not sure how far I would ride, see how I felt. Stopped at the Trail Center (10 miles). Feeling great to went on to the pedestrian bridge, rode over to Omaha, and took several photos. Went up to Millers Landing (first time there) and down to Lewis & Clark Landing. Finally, headed back across the bridge.

I have to comment. When I was a kid, I learned to look to watch for others around me. These days, just walk on the sidewalk, go to the the store. People do NOT look were they are going, do not watch for others near. I have many times when people would walk right into me, had I not stopped and back up. Well, the same thing is happening on the pedestrian bridge. They walk like they own the bridge. Hell, they don't even pay attention to on-coming traffic (walking or cycling). When I come behind them and call out "On your left!" they keep on walking like they never heard me. Today, I was coming behind 2 on the right, and 4 abreast coming my way. I called out to try to get through. NO ONE stepped over to make room. They kept walking, passing 6 abreast. WAKE UP, PEOPLE. There are more folks out here than you and your group.

OK, I will get off my soapbox.

Great ride on the way back to the shop. Much of the way, I was riding at 15-17 mph. Sweet ride. Ridden 30+ miles, gone for 2 hours and 40 minutes, 20 minutes stopped. Logging, I calculated the ride at 12.9 mph over the length of the ride, pretty good with the traffic on the bridge!

Bridging Communities

This afternoon, I made one of my "Tour de Bluffs" rides. I stopped at the entrance to the new Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

Lots of folks using the bridge. One couple came off the bridge riding their bikes, trying to decide where to go from there. I explained the trails North and South from the bridge. It was their first time riding on the Iowa side of the river.

Adding to my ride, crossed the bridge to explore the Nebraska side of the river. I rode to the Heartland of America Park - first time I had been there.

At Lewis & Clark Landing, a couple on their bikes obviously playing "tourist". It was the first time the Iowa couple had been on the Omaha riverfront.

While finishing my ride, I thought about what I had experienced. What does the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge mean to Council Bluffs and Omaha? There sure has been "nay-sayers".

Since I moved to the area in 1986, Iowa folks go to Omaha when needed - shopping, work, etc. Many Nebraskas would only drive though Council Bluffs en route to Chicago, KC, or other destinations. The only way across the river was driving the Interstate or across old, open grating bridges. The Missouri River has divided our community.

Now, me and my friends are looking forward to riding BICYCLES across the river for dinner. I am seeing more riders on the Council Bluffs trails - there has to be more traffic through businesses on the Iowa side of the River.

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is much more than a bridge across the Missouri River. It is a bridge connecting peoples, cities, and states.

The Bridge is Open!

It was a beautiful day for the bridge opening - Sunny, clear, light breeze and in the 70s. Starting at 9am, wrist bands were distributed as a lottery to see who gets to be the first person to cross the bridge. The crowd started arriving just after 11am. The opening festival started at noon.

You can see my photos of the festival here:

Bridge Opens!

Watch for helmet-cam video of my first ride over the bridge. (It was a crowded crossing).

Cross the Bridge

Celebrate the grand opening of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The festivities will take place on Sunday, September 28th.

Here are the details, per the Council Bluffs Parks & Recreation web site:

Free Event! Everyone Welcome!

• 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Playland Park in Council Bluffs (2 N. 40th Street)

• Free children's activities, with inflatables, face painters, magicians, and more!

• Performances by Monticello's Regiment from Thomas Jefferson High School and Omaha Central Eagles Marching Band

• Ribbon cutting with Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey

• Food and beverage concessions available.

• Free parking!

• From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. free wristbands will be placed on the wrists of interested participants in the park. A drawing will be held just prior to the ribbon cutting to determine who will get to be the first person on the Bridge!

I understand there will also be information booth(s) for local cycling, walking, and running clubs.

See you there...

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Last night was the illumination gala for the new (recently named) Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge links trails between Council Bluffs, IA and Omaha, NE.

After several days of rain, the evening ended up clear and pleasant. As the sun was setting, the nearly full moon rose behind the bridge.

The bridge lighting ceremony was held at Lewis & Clark Landing (Omaha side of the river). The evening started with a free blues concert. Bridge illumination and fireworks capped the night.

I had not seen the bridge from the Omaha side until last evening. The bridge, lighting - and of course the fireworks, was impressive.

You cannot walk or ride your bike over the bridge yet. The opening of the bridge takes place on Sunday, September 28th. Those festivities will be held on the Council Bluffs side of the river - at Playland Park.

Opening festival starts noon. The bridge opens at 1pm. Now, who gets to be the first rider/walker across the bridge?

NEW (9/18): Check out my web site page - photos of construction and lighting of the bridge.

Ride Around CB

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Looked like a good day for a ride. I decided I needed a ride on pavement and on my FX.

When I headed out from the shop, I was not sure just how far I would ride. I made it to the Indian Creek bridge, feeling good, I decided to ride to Trail Center.

Stopped for rest & snack - the on up to the new bridge. It has been a long time since I rode past the new bridge. They are starting to run railings. Took a couple of photos.

Once I made it that far, through town was the shortest way back. Made another stop at Northway for drink and rest, then headed back to the shop.

Topped the hill on H. Langdon at 8mph, 140 bpm. Good ride.

Bridges

This week has been on of the warmest so far this year. Wednesday (into the 60s) I headed out from the Wabash Trace Trailhead, going to the riverfront. Everything went well until I got to the Highway 92 bridge. The trail was blocked. Seems they are setting girders for the second 2 lanes.

My plan was to ride 20-25+ miles. Time for plan "B". I turned around back the Indian Creek trail to Manawa Trail then rode started riding around Lake Manawa. I even went to the South part of the park - had not been there. Great riding since the wind was with me on the West (open) side of the lake. Wind was not a problem on the East side of the lake with all of the houses and buildings.

Still not enough miles, to another loop around the lake. On the way back to the trailhead, the wind was kicking up. Planned to ride over the Xtreme Wheels to finish, but the wind got just too bad.

Thought that my legs would the tired and sore after the 50 miles in 3 weeks, but wanted to ride some anyway Thursday. It turned out that the weather was better that day - same temperature but almost no wind. Warm-up ride from Western Heritage Trail Center to N 24th. On the way back, saw Dennis driving to the trail center. Tried to catch him along the trail but to no avail. He stopped at the N16th Hy-Vee - chatted with him and we rode together to Big Lake. The road along the lake is closed - building a bridge there.

From Big Lake, it was down to the new trail bridge across the Missouri. They are making progress on the bridge. Not sure about the 4-way intersection at the East (Iowa) end of the bridge. Ending at the Trail Center was enough for Dennis. I still wanted to go toward 25+ miles. Rode over to Indian Creek - from Highway 92 to S 16th Ave. Over 26 miles today.

Time to take a break from the riding. Have a case of "saddle sores" from the aggressive riding this week. That was OK, since the weather was forecast for rain and nasty weather starting this morning. WRONG -- sunny and 50 most of the day.

Longest Ride of the Year

Very light wind, sunny, mid to upper 30s - bike ride time!!! It has been a long time (Nov 8th) since I rode the hybrid, so decided to ride it.

The bike computer was not working when I was ready to ride - just took some cleaning of the housing contacts. Headed from the Wabash trailhead for the Trail Center. Stopped there, felt good so figured I might as well ride to the new bridge.

Weather turned cloudy for a while. Later the sun came put again.

In spite of the weather, they are making progress. Directly opposite from the bridge apron, they are building a short ramp/connector down to street level.

When I got back, went on up to Xtreme Wheels - get in a couple more miles. Ended up 27 miles today - June 6th was the last time I rode 27+ miles in 1 day! Probably will be tired and sore tomorrow.

OH, almost forgot, I got my new "Share the Road" license plates. They are pretty cool.