Iowa is one of those states that do not make the news very often. The mostly rural environment does not offer up the source of the events that make for exciting headlines. Nonetheless, there are plenty of beautiful routes to ride in the Hawkeye State. We recommend you consider an 80-mile journey along the Mississippi River, from Dubuque to DeWitt.
Dubuque is a good-sized city with a population of 58,000. That makes it an inviting starting point for this journey along the Mississippi. There are enough well priced hotels and dining options should you want to stay the night prior to hitting the road. You'll find the people warm and friendly as well.
Driving the Route
Regardless of where you start in Dubuque, find your way to Rte. 61 south. Follow the signs for the Mines of Spain Easement that runs along the west bank of the river. As you get close, you'll bear south on Rte. 52. This road comprises the main body of the journey as it gently winds its way along the river. There are some places where the water will be obscured by the trees, and other places where you'll have a clear view.
Just outside of Bellevue State Park, Rte. 52 hugs the river tightly for several miles. At this point, it's also serving as the state line between Iowa and Illinois. There are plenty of opportunities for great views and photographs on this stretch of the road. Bellevue State Park is also a good place to stop if you are looking to rest.
Rte. 52 intersects Rte. 67 at Sabula, a tiny town of just under 600 residents. At this point you will continue south on 67, following the river all the way to the town of Clinton. There you'll pick up Rte. 30 heading west to DeWitt. This portion of the ride is fairly straight most of the way.
Scenery and Road Conditions
If you've ever wondered what Mark Twain imagined when he was writing about the Mighty Mississippi, this ride will go a long way toward answering that question. The rural parts of the ride make it easy to understand why so many people have been captivated by the river. You'll also enjoy the opportunity to take your time and enjoy the peacefulness of the area. If you're lucky, you will even encounter a steamboat or two.
You'll be traveling through several towns along the way, so don't worry about opportunities for gas or food. Your greatest number of choices will be in Clinton and Fulton. However, do plan to make the trip in one day if you need a hotel for the night. There isn't much by way of accommodations outside of a few roadside motels.
As for the road conditions, you'll find them to be pretty good most of the way. You may run into some issues in the early spring, especially if they've had trouble with Mississippi flooding, but there's not much to worry about other than that. This is a great ride for bikers of all skill levels. Most of the turns are easy and gentle; the climbs and descents are not exceptionally challenging. The Dubuque to DeWitt ride is all about the Mississippi, gently running alongside it as though it were a natural part of the river.
