Posted: June 9, 2023

Written by: Winneshiek County Conservation Staff

This week, Winneshiek County Conservation will be using the Iowa Data Bike to collect and record trail conditions on the county’s bike trails.  The Data Bike is an electric bike equipped with sensors to read and record pavement roughness, cracks, bumps, and much more.  In addition, the project will record trail conditions with photos using a GoPro Hero5 camera and capture Google Street View images using a GoPro Max 360 camera. This information will be used to create targeted maintenance strategies and to secure grant funding for trail maintenance and repairs.

Local resident, Ray Torresdal, has volunteered to operate the Data Bike, riding more than 30 miles of the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, Trout Run Trail, and Freeport Trail in both directions.  Ray is an avid cyclist who volunteers on the Trails of Winneshiek 28E Committee and served ten years as the Winneshiek County Conservation Board Chair during the construction and paving of these trails. Ray reminds all of us of the importance of the trails, saying “One of the less recognized benefits of our trail system is the improved quality of life it affords our community as people utilize the trails, parks, and recreation areas for both their physical and mental health and well-being.”

Give Ray a wave if you see him on the trails and then allow him some space to ensure he can collect accurate data!

If you would like to learn more about the Iowa Data Bike, visit https://dmampo.org/data-bike/. To learn more about our county trail system and to find trail maps, visit https://www.winneshiekwild.com/park-trail

For more information, visit www.winneshiekwild.com or call (563) 534-7145.