November 2026 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter

5 days ago

8 min read

You Spoke, (Pun Intended) We Listened! Results of the 2026 RRVT Trail User Survey

Thank you to the 261 people who participated in our 2026 Raccoon River Valley Trail User Survey! Your responses and thoughtful comments provide valuable insight into what you enjoy about the trail, what needs improvement, and how we can make the RRVT an even better experience.

The survey confirmed something we already suspected: People love the Raccoon River Valley Trail! But it also identified several areas that deserve attention as we plan for 2027 and beyond.

What Did We Learn?

Trail maintenance is the overwhelming priority.

An impressive 88% of respondents rated the trail's overall condition as good or excellent. However, 93% identified pavement repairs and resurfacing as a priority—nearly two and a half times as many as the next highest priority.

Many respondents specifically mentioned deteriorating pavement between Yale, Herndon, and Jefferson; Panora toward Herndon; Waukee and Adel; and Adel and Redfield. Some indicated they now avoid certain sections because of rough pavement.

The message is clear: Maintaining the 89 miles of trail we already have must remain a priority.

Trail users support local businesses.

Nearly 89% of respondents reported spending money in trail communities during a typical visit. In fact, 74% reported spending at least $10, and 42% reported spending $25 or more.

Restaurants, cafés, bars, breweries, and convenience stores are among the businesses benefiting from trail visitors.

Respondents also told us that better signs directing cyclists to downtown areas, restaurants, and other businesses would encourage them to explore—and potentially spend more—in trail communities.

Restrooms, water, and safety matter.

Trail users identified the availability of public restrooms, drinking water, safer road crossings, improved visibility, and better trail etiquette as important areas for improvement.

Many of these concerns could be addressed through cooperation among the RRVTA, county conservation boards, and the communities along the trail.

People appreciate the RRVT!

Beyond identifying improvements, respondents expressed tremendous appreciation for the trail and those who maintain it.

One respondent wrote:

"Thank you for maybe the best trail in central Iowa!"

Another commented:

"It is a very nice network. Thank you to all who contribute!"

Comments like these remind us how fortunate we are to have this remarkable recreational resource connecting 14 communities across three counties.

How Will We Use the Results?

The RRVTA Board and Marketing Committee will use the survey findings to help guide priorities for 2027 and beyond.

Among the opportunities we will explore are:

Trail maintenance and funding: Working with county conservation boards to identify resurfacing priorities, communicate funding needs, and examine opportunities for more sustainable trail maintenance funding.
Supporting trail-town businesses: Working with chambers of commerce and local businesses to improve signage, promote places to eat and visit, and make communities more welcoming to cyclists.
More organized rides: Creating additional opportunities for people to experience different sections of the trail and visit its communities.
Improving amenities and safety: Encouraging better information about restrooms, drinking water, road crossings, and other trail services.
Promoting the trail: Using what we've learned to attract more visitors, including younger riders and families, while highlighting the trail's health, recreational, and economic benefits.

We also plan to share relevant findings with city councils, county boards of supervisors, county conservation boards, and other community partners.

Thank You for Helping Shape the Future of the RRVT!

We sincerely appreciate everyone who took the time to complete the survey, especially those who provided detailed comments and suggestions.

Your feedback matters. While the RRVTA does not directly control trail maintenance or every improvement along the route, we can work with the organizations and communities that do.

Our goal is simple: Preserve what makes the Raccoon River Valley Trail special, improve the experience for everyone who uses it, and help our trail communities benefit from this tremendous asset.

Thank you for being part of the RRVT community and helping us plan for its future!

Before Cars, There Were Bicycles: How Cyclists Helped Get Iowa Out of the Mud

The surprising role bicyclists played in building Iowa's modern road system

When we think about the development of Iowa's roads and highways, we naturally think about automobiles, trucks, and the need to move agricultural products to market. But there's a fascinating piece of Iowa history that many people don't know: Bicyclists were among the earliest advocates for better roads, long before automobiles became common.

In fact, bicycle enthusiasts helped launch what became known as the Good Roads Movement, an effort that eventually helped transform Iowa's muddy dirt roads into a modern transportation system.

Iowa's Bicycle Boom

According to Iowa PBS's historical article Wheeling Around with the Bicycle, bicycling experienced an enormous surge in popularity during the 1890s. The introduction of bicycles with equally sized wheels and inflatable tires made riding safer and more comfortable, and bicycle clubs began appearing throughout the country.

Iowa was no exception. By 1895, the League of American Wheelmen, a national bicycling organization, had many active members in Iowa. Some members even claimed that Iowa had more bicyclists than any other state west of the Mississippi River.

But there was a problem: Iowa's roads were terrible.

Most roads were dirt, and rain turned them into muddy, rutted pathways. Bicyclists quickly recognized that enjoying their new sport required better roads.

As Iowa PBS explains, cyclists actively worked to improve roads and streets in Iowa and throughout the nation.

The Good Roads Movement

The Federal Highway Administration credits the League of American Wheelmen as a leading organization behind the national Good Roads Movement.

In 1888, the League established a National Committee for Highway Improvement to encourage states to adopt better road policies. Cyclists advocated for smoother surfaces, improved road maintenance, and greater public investment in transportation infrastructure.

Their efforts attracted national attention. According to the Federal Highway Administration, President Benjamin Harrison praised the bicyclists' road improvement efforts in 1892, suggesting that their contributions deserved recognition.

The remarkable part of this history is that bicyclists were organizing for better roads years before Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908.

Getting Iowa Out of the Mud

The need for improvements was enormous.

According to Iowa PBS's Early Dirt Roads and Road Development, Iowa had 102,448 miles of roads in 1904, but only 1.62% were surfaced with gravel or other materials. More than 98% were dirt roads.

Progress was slow. Iowa's first concrete pavement appeared in Le Mars in 1904, and Mason City and Clear Lake became the first two Iowa cities connected by pavement in 1918.

Even in 1920, when Iowa had more than 407,000 registered automobiles, there were only 25 miles of paved roads outside cities and towns.

Throughout the 1920s, Iowa expanded its highway system, supported by public investment, automobile license fees, and gasoline taxes.

By the end of 1931, according to Iowa PBS, the Iowa Highway Commission announced that the state's primary hard-surfaced road network was complete and that Iowa was no longer a mud-road state.

Bicyclists certainly weren't responsible for all these improvements. Farmers, automobile owners, businesses, and public officials also played essential roles. But cyclists helped get the movement started.

A Lesson for Today's Trail Advocates

There is an interesting connection between those early bicycle advocates and today's efforts to develop and maintain Iowa's recreational trails.

More than 130 years ago, bicyclists recognized that good transportation infrastructure was an investment benefiting entire communities, not just those riding bicycles.

Today, organizations continue that tradition by promoting safe cycling, encouraging trail use, and supporting the preservation and improvement of our trail system.

Just as Iowa's early bicyclists understood that roads needed investment and maintenance, today's trail supporters recognize that our paved trails require ongoing care if future generations are to enjoy them.

Perhaps the most interesting lesson from history is this: Iowa's bicyclists weren't just along for the ride. They helped lead the way.

Historical Sources and Acknowledgments

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association gratefully acknowledges the following sources for the historical information used in this article:

Iowa PBS – Iowa Pathways, Wheeling Around with the Bicycle. Documents the popularity of bicycling in 1890s Iowa and the role cyclists played in advocating for better roads. Read article.
Iowa PBS – Iowa Pathways, Early Dirt Roads and Road Development. Provides historical information about Iowa's muddy roads, highway construction, and the development of paved roads. Read article.
Federal Highway Administration, Portrait of a General: General Roy Stone, Part 4, and General Roy Stone and The New York Times. Documents the League of American Wheelmen's leadership in the Good Roads Movement and national recognition of its efforts. Read FHWA history.

100% of proceeds support RRVT

PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL

Show Your Trail Pride with RRVT Apparel

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is excited to offer a growing lineup of RRVT apparel—perfect for riding, relaxing, and showing your trail pride wherever you go.

Our custom RRVT cycling jerseys are now available through Bike World locations across the Des Moines metro. Designed for both comfort and performance, these jerseys are a great way to stand out on the trail while supporting the ongoing promotion and enhancement of the RRVT.

In addition, long-sleeve & short-sleeve RRVT shirts are available and have quickly become a favorite among trail users—perfect for cooler rides or casual wear.

RRVT Apparel Options

Cycling Jerseys

Available at Bike World locations (Des Moines metro)

Long-Sleeve & NEW Short-Sleeve RRVT Shirts

Available at select trail-town locations, including:

• Minburn Quick Stop

• B&B Marketplace in Panora

• Kyle’s Bike Shop in Waukee

We’re continuing to explore new ways to make RRVT merchandise more accessible by partnering with local businesses along the trail.

Every purchase helps support the work of the RRVTA—from maintaining and promoting the trail to enhancing the experience for the thousands of people who use it each year.

So whether you’re riding the full loop or just enjoying a short trip between towns, gear up, show your support, and wear the trail with pride!

2026 Iowa Trail Summit

The Iowa Trail Summit was held October 2, 2026 on the Iowa State University campus. The summit featured the exploration of various topics related to Iowa trails, including trail maintenance and construction, regulations governing the use of electric bicycles and motorcycles, Ankeny’s trail corridor, effective grant writing strategies, and child safety measures in relation to trails and roadways.

Plenty of opportunities for networking led to fruitful conversations. Two members of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association and two representatives from the Dallas County Conservation Board participated.

Join the RRVTA team!

Now Hiring: Part-Time Administrative Position

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is looking for someone to join our team in a part-time administrative role. Know someone who might be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you!

Interested or know someone who is? Contact Doug Pfeiffer, RRVTA Board Chair, at rrvtachair@gmail.com.

Mark Your Calendars! RRVTA Annual Banquet – April 17, 2027

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, April 17, 2027, at Country Lane Lodge in Adel. This special evening brings together trail enthusiasts, community supporters, and friends of the trail to celebrate the Raccoon River Valley Trail and support its future.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Richard Deming will be our featured speaker. Dr. Deming, a Des Moines radiation oncologist, is well known for his work promoting physical activity, wellness, and living life to the fullest. He is also the founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, an organization that inspires cancer survivors and others through extraordinary experiences and personal challenges.

The banquet is RRVTA's major annual fundraising event and provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize those who help make our trail such a special Iowa resource.

Save the date!

More information about ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the evening's activities will be announced in the coming months. We hope you'll join us!