biking Archives - Olio in Iowa

In honor of National Bike Month, I’m compiling some of my favorite routes, tips, and trips for bike-related travel. Stay tuned throughout the month for even more bike-related content!

The best part about sharing some of my local favorites is encouraging others to see familiar places in new ways. One of my favorite ways to do that is from my bike. In Iowa we’re lucky to have hundreds of miles of trails available to riders across the state. From urban trails to rural byways, there are so many beautiful ways to explore Iowa by bike.

Whether you’re a biking novice or an old pro, these three short bike rides (less than 20 miles) are sure to help you experience the Des Moines metro in a new way. While some of these trails may be more than 20 miles in length, each offer easily accessible places for riders to hop on and off to make your ride longer or shorter.Continue Reading…

When I was younger, my parents were hard-pressed to drag me off of my trusty banana bike. Fully outfitted with neon wheel beads and a glittery basket, there were few places I didn’t peddle off to during the warm summer months. Now that I’m older (and in the market for a new bike – mine was a garage sale pick and a major clunker), I don’t get on my bike nearly as much as I should.

But during a rare glimpse of sunlight this past Sunday I decided it was high time for a ride and peddled off to one of my favorite Des Moines neighborhoods. Though the “hill” part of Sherman Hill isn’t as appealing, I love riding past all of the old houses and gardens spilling with blooming summer flowers.

Three Short Bike Rides Around the Des Moines Metro

A Bike Ride in Sherman Hill