Hey, gang, let’s enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon (fingers crossed) and check out the new sections of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail (CVNT) on a ride to Solon on Sunday, 10/20. Meet at the Tait Cummins ball diamonds on C St SW, just across the street from CVNT, and we’ll ride at 1:30.

Be sure to wear your helmets and bring your water bottles for hydration. Also, for safety it is always important to be seen by wearing light or bright clothing and having lights on your bike.

We’ll take CVNT south thru Ely and on to Solon. Some, if not many of you have probably ridden it. The Linn County part of the trail has been completed to 7 Sisters Road, the Linn-Johnson county line. Johnson Co. sections from there south for 2.5 miles almost to 140^th St (F12) and from the Solon Recreation and Nature Area on the west side of Solon out to Polk Av have been open for the last year. Now, Johnson Co. is finishing the center section from 140^th St south to the roundabout at the Ely Road-Hwy 382 (F16) intersection and from there east along 382 to Polk Av.

In Solon we can ‘refresh’ at Big Grove Brewery or another watering hole along Main St.

On the return, we’ll retrace our route to Ely. From there, riders have an option. Anyone who wants to ride the old CVNT from Ely back to Tait Cummins is welcome to do so. Otherwise, we’ll explore a different route, going north on Jappa Road and west on Ivanhoe Road to Hwy 30 and crossing to the Worthington Acres area of SW CR. Old Ely Road will take us to a final stop at The Shack on Old River Road for some time on the deck and possibly a band. Then we’ll ride a short distance back to our starting point.

See you there.

Dick Mundy                                      Ruth VanTol

remundy14@yahoo.com                rrvantol@yahoo.com or 507-273-4340