NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/498175
MAY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 23 and Thriftway Market from which to choose. Sore and tired, we finally made it to Riverside Park in Neligh, where we would camp. Carine and Bob were already there. Verna and Jim went into town to check into the Deluxe Motel. Kathy ended her journey here, as she had to work the next day. Riverside Park was a nice camp with clean toilets, showers and full hook-ups. After pitching our tents in the grass, we had dinner at the White Spot Bar and Grill. The drinks were cold and plenty. I slept well that night, even if it was on the ground. Sunday, May 18: Neligh to O'Neill (45 miles) The ride to O'Neill would be our longest and hardest ride. The night before, we all agreed to ride out early to beat a westerly wind that would pick up later in the day. And when Larry heard how tough the trail was, he offered to haul all our bags and gear in his camper, which relieved us beyond imagination. Bob must've really hated his trailer, because he vowed to sell it once he got home. The morning ride out of Neligh was quiet and beautiful. It showed clear, blue skies and the sun shined a soft golden color all around us. Bob rode with us for a little while before hopping back onto the highway. Carine, Jim, Verna and Nancy were ahead, while Jamie and I brought up the rear. Shortly after, my phone buzzed. It was Carine, who had just gotten a flat tire from the notorious goathead thorns that torment cyclists worldwide. Nancy was with Carine, and neither of them had a spare inner tube. Having brought plenty, Jamie and I picked up the pace to help her. We had liners installed in our tires before we left, so the goatheads didn't bother us. Just before Clearwater, we found the bridge over the Elkhorn River is still awaiting repairs after being washed out by flooding in 2010, as is a section of trail near town. So we doubled back and traveled north on 516½ Avenue to meet with Highway 275, which led us to town. We had already ridden 10 miles that morning before stopping at the Shell Gas Station for coffee and breakfast sandwiches; unfortunately, the Clearwater Café is closed on Sunday. On a side note, if you're ever in town at dinner time, check out the L Bar B Steak House, which serves delicious New York steaks. After breakfast, we returned to the trail, which runs right next to the highway near the gas station. Near Ewing, another river bridge was temporarily closed. It was located only a few yards from the highway, so we hopped onto the blacktop and rode to the Ewing City Park. Nancy, Jamie and I stopped there for a short break and to refill our water bottles. Riding on the road, Bob arrived in O'Neill quickly and the others weren't far behind. Bob called Jamie to see what was taking us so long. Jamie and I were knee-deep in grass by the trail in search for asparagus, which grows wild every spring. Although we found a few good spears, most of what we found were sad, limp stalks that did not survive the recent frost. There was a MAP BY TRISHA SCHLAKE, NGPC GIS APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER TaHaZouka Park Broken bridge before town Miles 9.6 Miles 13.6 Miles 12.3 Miles 9.3 Miles 5.3 Miles 7.3 Miles 7.7 Miles 10.6 Miles 5.6 Miles 10.1 Miles 7.7 Miles Emmet (no amenities) t Atkinson O'Neill Inman Ewing Clearwater Neligh Tilden Battle Creek Norfolk (no amenities) Oakdale Meadow Grove Niobrara River iver Elkhorn River Elkhorn River N X H L y L y X H L y X H L y X H L y X H L y X H X H y X H y X H y X H y