The best road cycling routes around Solon

If you're looking for a relaxed road cycling experience near Solon, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail – Tree of Five Seasons loop offers a smooth ride through varied Iowa landscapes. This 38.4-mile (61.7 km) moderate route, with just 763 feet (233 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes to complete. You'll pedal through lush forests, open prairies, and wetlands, often alongside the Cedar River bottomlands, with plenty of chances to spot local wildlife like deer and various bird species.

Accessing the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is generally easy, with numerous parking areas and facilities like restrooms and water available roughly every 10 miles along the extensive trail system. While specific parking for the Solon start isn't detailed, you'll find convenient access points. The trail is best enjoyed during the spring and summer months when the weather is pleasant and the native wildflowers are in full bloom, adding vibrant color to your ride.

This loop is part of the much larger Cedar Valley Nature Trail, a historic "linear park" built on an abandoned railroad right-of-way, ensuring a consistently gentle grade. The entire 63-mile trail is now hard-surfaced, making it perfect for road bikes. It's also a key segment of both the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail, connecting communities and offering a continuous paved route for cyclists of all levels.

This easy road cycling route, the Ely loop from Coralville Lake, offers a delightful spin through varied landscapes, perfect for a relaxed outing. You'll pedal along paved paths and roads, enjoying scenic viewpoints Coralville Lake cycling provides, including stretches along the Iowa River and glimpses of the lake itself. The 15.6-mile (25.1 km) journey, with its gentle 353 feet (107 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes, making it an accessible ride for most.

Planning your visit is straightforward thanks to the area's extensive interconnected trail system. You can begin your ride from numerous access points near Coralville Lake, such as those for the Iowa River Corridor Trail or Clear Creek Trail, where parking is typically available. The best time to cycle is during mild weather, allowing you to comfortably explore the natural features and historic charm of the region.

The route connects you to the historic town of Ely, settled in 1872, offering a blend of natural beauty and local heritage. This area is renowned for its hard-surface trail network, which seamlessly links urban greenways with natural landscapes, providing a balanced cycling experience. It's a great option for those seeking easy bike routes Coralville Lake has to offer, combining exercise with exploration.

The Mehaffey Bridge – Clear Creek Trail loop is a fantastic road cycling option, offering a moderate 24.8-mile (39.9 km) ride with 777 feet (237 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 10 minutes. You'll experience a dynamic landscape, from the serene banks of Clear Creek, shaded by mature oaks and maples, to open green spaces and even glimpses of Coralville Lake. It's a route that keeps your interest with its blend of natural beauty and local landmarks.

Starting from the Macbride Nature Recreation Area, this loop is generally accessible year-round on its paved sections. While it's rated moderate due to some hilly stretches, it's a great option for cyclists with good fitness looking for a substantial ride. Consider an autumn visit to catch the vibrant fall foliage along the trail, enhancing the already scenic journey.

This route is a key part of the Iowa City area's extensive trail network, connecting to other pathways like the Iowa River Corridor Trail. The Macbride Nature Recreation Area itself is an ecological preserve, showcasing diverse landscapes including restored Iowa prairies and unique Devonian bedrock outcrops, making the start and end points particularly interesting.

The Ely loop from Solon offers a delightful road cycling experience through Iowa's picturesque countryside. As you pedal, you'll pass through stretches of tall grass prairie and enjoy wide open views of farmland, with occasional tree-canopied sections of the Hoover Trail providing shade. The route is predominantly well-paved, making it a smooth and enjoyable ride for cyclists of all abilities, showcasing the beauty of the region's open spaces and agricultural landscapes.

Planning your ride on this easy route is straightforward. The trail is suitable for road bikes, with only a very short, manageable section of crushed rock at the Ely Road NE crossing. You can easily start and finish in Solon, where you'll find parking and local amenities, including the Big Grove Brewpub for a well-deserved break. This 14.5-mile (23.3 km) loop, with its gentle 325 feet (99 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 1 hour and 12 minutes to complete.

This route is a significant segment of the Hoover Trail, a rails-to-trails project that forms a crucial link in larger regional and national networks like the Great American Rail-Trail. The paving of the Solon-Ely section in 2020 completed a