Central Iowa Trails

Trail Building Work Days

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:08:58 +0000

Join us every 3rd Saturday from 9am – 12:30 pm to help build trails for CITA. Check our Calendar to see where we will be each month!

Due to the Rain, Banner Lake build/repair has been moved to April 27th from 9:00am-12:30pm

Iowa Mountain Bike Championship Series 2013 Schedule

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:15:25 +0000

2013 Calendar for the IMBCS:
IMBCS #1 – April 14 – Sylvan Island, Moline, IL
IMBCS #2 – May 5 – Camp Ingawanis (south course), Waverly, IA
IMBCS #3 – July 7 – Seven Oaks Ski Area, Boone, IA
IMBCS #4 – July 14 – Sunderbruch, Davenport, IA
IMBCS #5 – August 10 – Moorehead Pioneer Park, Ida Grove, IA
IMBCS #6 – August 17 – George Wyth State Park, Cedar Falls, IA
IMBCS #7 – August 25 – Sugarbottom Rec Area, North Liberty, IA
IMBCS #8 – September 8 – Sycamore Trails, Des Moines, IA
IMBCS #9 – September 21 – Banner Lakes, Indianola, IA
IMBCS #10 – October 6 – Lake Ahquabi State Park, Indianola, IA

CITA Des Moines

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:31:49 +0000

Mission

Create and maintain singletrack in and around Des Moines, Iowa.

Company Overview

Volunteer trailbuilders and merrymakers. Join us, won’t you?

Description

Central Iowa Trail Association is an Iowa not-for-profit corporation formed in 1996 in response to trail conflicts in Browns Woods in West Des Moines. We’ve worked since that time to educate Iowans on the value proposition of sustainable, shared singletrack.We are an IMBA affiliate, and our central purpose is the world-class design, construction and maintenance of trails in partnership with city, county, state and private landowners. CITA also educates land managers and trail users through advocacy and outreach, including a chapter of the National Mountain Bike Patrol. And we also enjoy spending time on trails, so we host member and public events across the year.

Most importantly, CITA is volunteer-led; our capacity is defined largely by our board, members and volunteers – individuals and organizations who want to create quality outdoor experiences and, especially, value singletrack.

There are many ways you can support this work. Consider taking a leadership position, making a donation or enjoying the expanding value of membership today.

General Information

join our email list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/centraliowatrails/

Hello world!

admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:31:40 +0000

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Lake Ahquabi

admin — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:05:06 +0000

The Lake Ahquabi course is fast and open with quite a bit of variety. A large portion of the trail is wide double track which is open to cross country skiing and snowmobiling; additional sections ride through the open, right along the the lakeshore; and wooded single track runs up and down lung-busting hills. Surfaces include dirt, gravel, wooden bridges, grass fields, and even an old asphalt road, overgrown and decaying in the woods.

Camping available.

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Mountain Biking Lake Ahquabi -Indianola, Iowa – Gopro

admin — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:02:25 +0000

Center Trails Description

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:40:50 +0000

This trail system is an urban gem — tight trails twisting through lush woodland in the heart of the city. This 10-plus-mile system of singletrack is named for its location in the center of the Des Moines metro and its proximity to the Des Moines Art Center and the former Science Center of Iowa.

Hillside is a web of climbs and descents, switchbacks, log-overs, and bridges. Roller coaster rides just like its namesake but with wooden bridges in the valleys to test your nerves as you try to carry speed for the next uphill. J-11 is a friendly little trail to enjoy when riding between the northern trails and the southern trails. Denmans Woods is has the features: log piles, ramps, roots, tight trees, roots and tight trees together, a 30 ft skinny 4 ft high above a ravine, and even an upended tractor tire. Though not designed for beginners, it is a favorite among beginners because of the b-lines around the major features and the relatively flat terrain. Squirrel’s Nest and Rhythm offer two more loops similar to Denmans south of the railroad track.

The entire area is small enough that you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Each trail eventually comes out to a paved trail which will lead you back to the main parking lot.

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Banner Lake Description

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:35:25 +0000

The trails at Banner may be the most fun and most feared trails in central Iowa. Banner Lakes is the site of an old strip mine and most of the trails there are built on the piles of tailings. On the northern trails (Coal Miner’s Daughter, New Ed Beach, Missing Link, and Corner Pocket) you will always find yourself going up, going down, or going around a tight corner — very often at least two of those at once, and probably on slightly loose rock or going over a bridge to boot. The beginner’s trail (Riverside) is on the south side of the main lake and is great for kids or for adding a recovery mile to your ride. In the Summer of 2012, a group of architecture students from Iowa State University designed and constructed wooden technical trail features in an area near the end of Coal Miner’s Daughter.

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Sycamore Trail Description

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:32:03 +0000

Beginners will find this mostly flat, mostly wide, mostly smooth trail very welcoming. Small rocky sections, occasional log-overs, and a few short, punchy climbs offer challenges waiting to be mastered. Expert riders will want to try the “mosaic jump.” There is a BMX-style optional fun loop with lots of rollers. A new, more technical trail parallels part of the north end of the main Sycamore Trail and offers tighter trees, dips, turns, and roots.

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Banner Lake – Snow Ride

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:26:42 +0000