Shelby County Trails Committee Members Favorite Bike Routes
Ride #1 – (6 mile round trip ride on mostly level terrain) Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding your bike North on 6th Street to Cyclone Ave. Turn Right on Cyclone Ave. and ride East. You will ride past the J J Jensen Sports Complex. As you ride out of the city limits – Cyclone Ave. becomes Nishna Ave. This is an ‘oiled base road’, but you will encounter patches of graveled road sections along the route. After going over the first bridge, you will pass by the Brickyard Orchard. After a few miles, the road will take a bend to the right and then you will see another bridge ahead. The mostly oiled road surface ends at that 2nd bridge. Turn around and return to Harlan on the same route.
Ride #2 – (6 mile round trip ride on mostly level terrain – with one hill climb each way) Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Right on Cyclone Ave. and ride East 1 Block to 5th St. Turn Left on 5th St. and ride North past “North Park” and then be sure to stay to the right when the street makes a “Y” and begins to head out of the city limits. (5th St. becomes M36). This route will also have a mixture of oiled surface road along with sections of graveled road. There will be a moderately steep hill as you ride and the road curves to the left as you climb the hill. After reaching the top of the hill, you’ll get a much needed coast as you zip along the stretch of road that is nicknamed “Dinesen Flats”. At the intersection of M36 and 1400th St. – (road turns into all gravel at that point), turn around and return to Harlan.
Ride #3- (18 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads) Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you see 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road for about 6 miles until you reach 1600th St. (You will see the Rosman-Glendale Golf Course on your left). Turn Right onto 1600th Street and ride EAST about 3 miles until you see the sign for the town of Kirkman on your Right. Ride into town for food and beverages at the Beer Barn & Grill – (226 State St., Kirkman, Ia. PH: 712-766-3395.) Return on the same route to Harlan.
Ride #4 – (18 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads). Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you reach 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road until you reach the intersection of F32. Turn Left on F32 and follow West to the Intersection of F32 & Hwy 59. Carefully cross Hwy 59 and continue West on F32 approximately 4 miles until you reach Westphalia. Turn Right on 4th St. and ride North into Westphalia. You will see the Westphalia Club House where you can get good food & beverages (405 Duren St, Westphalia, Ia. PH: 712-627-4235). On your right you will also see the beautiful St. Boniface Church and new Parish Center. Return on the same route to Harlan.
Ride #5 – (26 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads). Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you reach 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road until you reach the intersection of F32. Turn Left on F32 and follow West to the Intersection of F32 & Hwy 59. Carefully cross Hwy 59 and continue West on F32 approximately 4 miles (you will see the small town of Westphalia on your right). Continue past Westphalia – staying on F32 – passing Intersection of M16 also. Continue West on F32 until you reach the Intersection of Hwy 191. Turn Right on Hwy 191 and ride ½ mile into the town of Panama. Turn Left on Main Street. On the corner you will see Shelby County State Bank (there is an ATM at that bank location (102 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2424) . Also on Main Street you will find food and beverages at Pauley’s Pub (106 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2786), Norma Jean’s Restaurant (120 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2108), and also The Main Street Market Store (202 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2601). See also the beautiful St. Mary’s Catholic Church and new Parish Center – just one block from Main St.). Return same route to Harlan.
Ride #6 - (approximately 25 miles). Starting from Panama Whispering Pines Park and begin riding north to Earling on Hwy 191, head south on M16 to Hwy 44, west to Portsmouth and back north to Panama on Hwy 191. Hwy 191 & 44 have moderate traffic. M16 has light traffic.
Details: (25 mile round trip ride on flat to moderate rolling hills - State Highways 191 & 44 have moderate traffic and County Highway M16 has light traffic). Beginning on Main Street in Panama, you can find food and beverages at Pauley’s Pub (106 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2786), Norma Jean’s Restaurant (120 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2108), and also The Main Street Market Store (202 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2601). Other attractions in town include St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Parish Center – just one block off Main St. as well as Whispering Pines Roadside Park on the north side of town along Highway 191. Begin riding north on Highway 191 and proceed 5 miles on flat terrain to the intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 37. Take a right on Highway 37 and proceed 2 blocks to Earling Main Street. The Shelby County Freedom Rock will be on your right just prior to your turn onto Main Street. On Main Street you can find food and beverages at Cindi Mae's (101 Main Street, PH: 712-747-6262) and Troy's Bar and Grill (111 Main Street, PH: 712-747-3242). Other attractions in Earling are St. Joseph's Catholic Church (212 2nd Street) and Schimerowski Recreation Area (307 2nd Avenue) on the east edge of town. When leaving Earling Main Street turn right and proceed one block on Highway 37 (reverse of the route you entered town) and turn left onto Highway M16. At this point you will cross BNSF Railroad Tracks, proceed on Highway M16 over rolling hills approximately 8 miles to the intersection with Highway 44. At this intersection, turn right onto Highway 44 and proceed approximately 5 miles over rolling hills to the intersection with Highway 191. At this intersection turn right onto Highway 191 and ride a couple blocks into the town of Portsmouth. On Main Street you can find food and beverages at The Rocket Tavern (201 Main Street, PH: 712-743-2525) and Club 191 (101 Main Street, PH: 712-743-5535). Other attractions in town include St. Mary's Catholic Church (412 4th Street) and the Portsmouth Ball Diamond on the north side of town along Highway 191. When leaving Portsmouth continue riding north on Highway 191 on flat terrain for another 6 miles back into the town of Panama.
Alternate Ride #6 - : (12 miles round trip) Proceed on the same route as above, when you leave Earling on Highway M16 you will ride approximately 4 miles to the intersection with Highway F32. Turn right on Highway F32 and proceed for approximately 2.5 miles on rolling hills to the intersection with Highway 191. Take a right on Highway 191 and proceed for approximately .5 miles back into the town of Panama.
Ride #2 – (6 mile round trip ride on mostly level terrain – with one hill climb each way) Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Right on Cyclone Ave. and ride East 1 Block to 5th St. Turn Left on 5th St. and ride North past “North Park” and then be sure to stay to the right when the street makes a “Y” and begins to head out of the city limits. (5th St. becomes M36). This route will also have a mixture of oiled surface road along with sections of graveled road. There will be a moderately steep hill as you ride and the road curves to the left as you climb the hill. After reaching the top of the hill, you’ll get a much needed coast as you zip along the stretch of road that is nicknamed “Dinesen Flats”. At the intersection of M36 and 1400th St. – (road turns into all gravel at that point), turn around and return to Harlan.
Ride #3- (18 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads) Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you see 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road for about 6 miles until you reach 1600th St. (You will see the Rosman-Glendale Golf Course on your left). Turn Right onto 1600th Street and ride EAST about 3 miles until you see the sign for the town of Kirkman on your Right. Ride into town for food and beverages at the Beer Barn & Grill – (226 State St., Kirkman, Ia. PH: 712-766-3395.) Return on the same route to Harlan.
Ride #4 – (18 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads). Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you reach 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road until you reach the intersection of F32. Turn Left on F32 and follow West to the Intersection of F32 & Hwy 59. Carefully cross Hwy 59 and continue West on F32 approximately 4 miles until you reach Westphalia. Turn Right on 4th St. and ride North into Westphalia. You will see the Westphalia Club House where you can get good food & beverages (405 Duren St, Westphalia, Ia. PH: 712-627-4235). On your right you will also see the beautiful St. Boniface Church and new Parish Center. Return on the same route to Harlan.
Ride #5 – (26 mile round trip ride on rolling moderate hills – County Blacktop Roads). Begin at the historical Shelby County Courthouse (6th & Court St.) and begin riding North on 6th St. to Cyclone Ave. Turn Left onto Cyclone Ave. and ride West on Cyclone until you reach 12th St. Turn Right on 12th St. and ride North on 12th St. out of the city limits. (12th St. becomes Linden Road). Continue on Linden Road until you reach the intersection of F32. Turn Left on F32 and follow West to the Intersection of F32 & Hwy 59. Carefully cross Hwy 59 and continue West on F32 approximately 4 miles (you will see the small town of Westphalia on your right). Continue past Westphalia – staying on F32 – passing Intersection of M16 also. Continue West on F32 until you reach the Intersection of Hwy 191. Turn Right on Hwy 191 and ride ½ mile into the town of Panama. Turn Left on Main Street. On the corner you will see Shelby County State Bank (there is an ATM at that bank location (102 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2424) . Also on Main Street you will find food and beverages at Pauley’s Pub (106 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2786), Norma Jean’s Restaurant (120 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2108), and also The Main Street Market Store (202 Main St., Panama, Ia. PH: 712-489-2601). See also the beautiful St. Mary’s Catholic Church and new Parish Center – just one block from Main St.). Return same route to Harlan.
Ride #6 - (approximately 25 miles). Starting from Panama Whispering Pines Park and begin riding north to Earling on Hwy 191, head south on M16 to Hwy 44, west to Portsmouth and back north to Panama on Hwy 191. Hwy 191 & 44 have moderate traffic. M16 has light traffic.
Details: (25 mile round trip ride on flat to moderate rolling hills - State Highways 191 & 44 have moderate traffic and County Highway M16 has light traffic). Beginning on Main Street in Panama, you can find food and beverages at Pauley’s Pub (106 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2786), Norma Jean’s Restaurant (120 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2108), and also The Main Street Market Store (202 Main Street, PH: 712-489-2601). Other attractions in town include St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Parish Center – just one block off Main St. as well as Whispering Pines Roadside Park on the north side of town along Highway 191. Begin riding north on Highway 191 and proceed 5 miles on flat terrain to the intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 37. Take a right on Highway 37 and proceed 2 blocks to Earling Main Street. The Shelby County Freedom Rock will be on your right just prior to your turn onto Main Street. On Main Street you can find food and beverages at Cindi Mae's (101 Main Street, PH: 712-747-6262) and Troy's Bar and Grill (111 Main Street, PH: 712-747-3242). Other attractions in Earling are St. Joseph's Catholic Church (212 2nd Street) and Schimerowski Recreation Area (307 2nd Avenue) on the east edge of town. When leaving Earling Main Street turn right and proceed one block on Highway 37 (reverse of the route you entered town) and turn left onto Highway M16. At this point you will cross BNSF Railroad Tracks, proceed on Highway M16 over rolling hills approximately 8 miles to the intersection with Highway 44. At this intersection, turn right onto Highway 44 and proceed approximately 5 miles over rolling hills to the intersection with Highway 191. At this intersection turn right onto Highway 191 and ride a couple blocks into the town of Portsmouth. On Main Street you can find food and beverages at The Rocket Tavern (201 Main Street, PH: 712-743-2525) and Club 191 (101 Main Street, PH: 712-743-5535). Other attractions in town include St. Mary's Catholic Church (412 4th Street) and the Portsmouth Ball Diamond on the north side of town along Highway 191. When leaving Portsmouth continue riding north on Highway 191 on flat terrain for another 6 miles back into the town of Panama.
Alternate Ride #6 - : (12 miles round trip) Proceed on the same route as above, when you leave Earling on Highway M16 you will ride approximately 4 miles to the intersection with Highway F32. Turn right on Highway F32 and proceed for approximately 2.5 miles on rolling hills to the intersection with Highway 191. Take a right on Highway 191 and proceed for approximately .5 miles back into the town of Panama.
