Clinton’s Best Biking Routes For Cycling Enthusiasts

Resuming after it was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, RAGBRAI bicycle riders covered more than 450 miles in seven days last year, according to the Des Moines Register. The riders crossed from Le Mars to Clinton, close to the widest point of the Mississippi River. Enthusiastic riders are curious where the 49th edition of the RAGBRAI will go this year. Will it pass near Vinton, go further north, or mix it up with the southern adventure.

Traditionally, the RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) runs west to east, starting from the Missouri River and ending at the Mississippi River. Last year’s ride marked the sixth time Clinton was the host city for RAGBRAI. So, why is Clinton a favorite spot for RAGBRAI and cycling enthusiasts? The Convention and Visitors Bureau director, Lesley Webster, states that there’s so much in and around Clinton for visitors. This includes scenic cycling routes listed below.

Located in the south of Clinton and west of Jackson, Buddy Butts Park is an excellent spot for enjoying a good paced bike ride. The race loop is six-mile-long, and it’s marked by black arrows on the tree, with the main trail marked by orange signs and yellow markers guiding you back to the exit trail. Buddy Butts Park trail has intermediate features like light, long inclines, short but challenging climbs, few drops, and short routes, making it an ideal track for beginners.

Although Butts Park trail isn’t the most beautiful park you’ll visit in Clinton, it’s a historical landmark used by the Germans as a POW camp during world war 2. During an adventure ride at the park, you can enjoy a scenic view of the large-scale hydraulic model (Mississippi River Basin Model Waterways Experiment Station).

Chisha Foka multi-use trail passes through the historic Choctaw homelands and provides nature lovers, joggers, and cyclists an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, wildlife, trees, and wildflowers. The 10-mile paved path runs from Milepost 95.8 to 105.6, providing trail users a memorable experience of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The track gently slopes and winds through various pine and hardwood trees, where you can see a variety of mammals and birds.

Another great feature of the Chisha Foka trail is that electric bikes are allowed. If you’re a cyclist, you may want to invest in an e-bike to make your adventure ride unforgettable. While the cost of e-bikes is generally high, there are high-quality models available at reasonable prices. Today, you can purchase some of the best electric bikes under $2000, like the Magnum Pathfinder, RadRunner 1, and Bintelli Florence, and still enjoy comfort and convenience.

As the name suggests, the Museum trail is bordered by the Children’s Museum on one end and the MS Natural Science Museum on the other end. Not to mention this is the first rail trail in Jackson, starting at the Mississippi Farmers market to the Mississippi Natural Science Museum. The rail is approximately 2.5 miles long and provides users a chance to enjoy recreational activities cycling, walking, and skating.

Clinton, Mississippi is probably not on your bucket list for epic cycling, but it should be. There are many scenic bike trails in and around the city where you can enjoy the great outdoors. Some adventure cycling trails worth exploring include the Buddy Butts Park, Chisha Foka, and the Museum trail.