Bikepacking Across America - Week Four, The Cowboy Trail

This video covers my ride from Valentine to Norfolk, Nebraska on the Cowboy Trail, my first “Rails-to-Trails” experience.

[@FollowThomas]

You're a good storyteller sharing your experience riding across the country. I'm bikepacking monthly doing short week long rides, heading to C&O next week and Erie Canal Trail in August but mayve one day going to ride across the country also. Your video is helpful. Thanks.

[@tomsitzman3952]

I'm from Nebraska. The Cowboy trail goes through the Sand Hill. One of the largest grass sand dunes in the world. Since the trail runs just a few yards from the highway I find it a lot easier to ride the shoulder of the highway. Plus, you don't run over the Sand burrs sometimes called, goat Heads. For those who have never seen them they are nasty triangle shaped thorn so one side is always pointing up. Wood Lake has a nice Campground with flush toilet and running water picknick shelter and tables, Right on the trail.
There is no problem hearing cars coming behind you. The ranchers' pickups and car tires are very loud and are designed to travel for mile on sand county roads. In Nebraska there is an old saying: Anyone can love a mountain, but it takes a special kind of person to love the Prairie.

[@marktgreene]

I expected to ride the Trail, but it was just too soft. The road was nice & wide & smooth & with a nice shoulder. Happily, no flats!

[@annleegibson4598]

What a sweeeet post! I’m loving all the tour magic stories. The restaurant owner who rustled up a few BBQ lunch and rhubarb pie actually made me tear up. Such kindness is beautiful. I’m very glad to hear that 20 has become more hospitable. I’m looking forward to hearing about and seeing the Katy Trail in Missouri.

[@NancyMyrland]

I love your updates and stories, Mark! What a feeling of freedom you must have.

[@sparkyvespa]

Really enjoying your videos.
Working on an Oil rig in the middle of the UK North Sea so great to be able to sit down after a shift and listen to your adventures!
Thank you!

[@marktgreene]

So cool that you’re enjoying them from way out there! Cheers, Mark

[@joyce5280]

I had 2 electric bikes up there all week. I’m a friend of Meles. Both bikes had flat tires every day!! I’m impressed that you made it through. I’ll try those tires that you recommend.

[@joyce5280]

Sand burrs. Yuck!!

[@marktgreene]

I think the Schwalbe’s are awesome for touring, but my best advice is to set them up tubeless - works great!!

[@dondonner1095]

I believe you. will find the next rails to trails a bit more comfortable to ride. I understand the cowboy trail is the least packed of all of them.

[@marktgreene]

That’s good news!!

[@jaredcapler4169]

Mark you pronounced the town of Neligh correct. I had the two boys you met, it was a pleasure talking to you and safe travels sir. I will keep tabs on you for the trip.

[@marktgreene]

Thanks Jared. It was a pleasure to meet you and a bit of your clan. Cheers!

[@coastdownhills]

You may have a pleasant surprise in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Most of the Ohio trails are paved and I did the GAP just fine on 28 mm tires. Your depiction of Nebraska is more picturesque than I had imagined. Keep the tires and cameras rolling.

[@marktgreene]

Thanks!

[@daveclark8788]

Hello Mark, just stopping by to say hey, and provide some cycling + volcano news you may use! I'm very much enjoying following your progress, a dream for me for sure.
I don't know if you follow pro cycling, but tomorrow the Tour de France Stage 9 goes to Puy de Dome, an inactive volcano, the best kind, where the stage finishes after 182 KM. The last four kilometers or so is at a +/- twelve percent grade, and it's one big right turn, sort of the complete opposite of stock car racing ;-)
You had mentioned You Tube TV and you can see it there, starts quite early AM, though you can probably catch it later as well.
Cheers, keep on riding!

[@rainbowhiker]

Paul Suchecki, can I recommend him? He knows how to make really nice touring videos. Almost no indoor recording, and no matter the terrain, he's recording.

[@marktgreene]

I like Paul’s videos a lot; I believe I’ve watched them all.

[@rainbowhiker]

@@marktgreene Me too.

[@ThomasCooper2013]

Mark, really need to include more images. Dialogue over images and video is much more interesting. No pics of snakes?

[@marktgreene]

I don't have a GoPro, so it's tough for me to react quickly enough to get a picture of something like a snake. I will work on more video though.