Siouxland bicycling trails, Le Mars

I used to be a runner. No marathons, nothing to prove to anyone, I just liked to run. Until the day my knees told me no more and my doctor said my meniscus was wearing out. Swollen knees and the inability to walk brought the point home. I like to be active, and while walking is fine, which I do plenty of when out hiking and photographing, I also like to move a bit quicker.

So I bought a bike a couple years ago. I am not an avid bike rider, especially in Sioux City where the car drivers are quite heinous when it comes to safety. So I have taken to strapping my bike to my car and going out of town. And it is surprising that in a number of small communities around the Siouxland area, there are some various nice bike trails. They safely navigate one through their town and out into the country. No sharing the streets with car drives more interested in viewing text messages than actually driving.

LeMars, Iowa, has a nice bike trail. Is not that far away, and after a good ride, one can always stop at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlour for a well deserved treat.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

After a 10 mile bike ride and enjoying the scenes along the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail, Friday, July 10, 2015, it’s time for a small reward at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are a few bridges that cross a stream for the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A view of the stream which the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail follows from one of the bridges, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Stone hutches with picnic benches and a fire pit and grill in the middle of them in a city park that sits along the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A stone cottage and stone huts can be found in a city park along the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail, Friday, July 10, 2015. A number of these items were built in the 1930’s during the WPA work program in various Iowa communities. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail winds its way through wooded areas following a stream and passing under motor ways and train tracks, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail meanders along a stream as it runs along the outskirts of the community, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A resting spot for walkers, bicycle riders and roller bladers along the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Corn in fields along the Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail is already 6 feet tall and tassling, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Le Mrs, Iowa, bike trail skirts the outer border of the community so farms and fields are visible from it, Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)