need info on FDR park in Dubuqeue, IA

[tim_fsr]

I'm thinking of heading to FDR park from Chicago over the 4th of July weekend to see if the hype is true. Since I have a 4 day weekend, I'm thinking of spening the night to get everything in.

Can anyone in that area recommend a LBS or bike club to get info from and possably hook up for a ride Friday and Sat?

Thanks.

[catch22]

I was born and raised in Dubuque, now living in Salt Lake City. Although I haven't ridden there in a couple of years it was always one of my favorite places to ride. Huge variety of terrain and at least a full days worth of trails. Navigation around the trails gets a little confusing as they aren't marked but you can't really get lost as the trails are all confined into a pretty small area. Here's a few shops nearby the trails:
Bike Shack
3250 Dodge St, Dubuque, IA 563-582-4381
Banzai Spoke-N-Ski
2255 John F Kennedy Rd # 11, Dubuque, IA 563-583-6449
Free Flight Bikes Skis
5010 Wolff Rd, Dubuque, IA 563-582-4500

You might want to go on mapquest or something to get directions as getting around Dubuque can be a little confusing. Also the closest address I could find to try to get a map to the trailhead parking is to the Storybook Hill Childrens Zoo:
12345 N Cascade Rd Dubuque, IA 52003

Rather than going into the Zoo take a right on the gravel road about 10 yards past the zoo entrance and follow this til you get to the locked gate. Ride down the hill on the other side of the gate and up to the top of the next hill. There is a somewhat paved circle at top of the hill on the right side where most of the trails start. All are basically long winding downhills dropping off the sides of the loop and once at the bottom try to find a decent trail to climb back to the top. Even with all the great riding here I still miss riding FDR, I think you'll have a great time.

One other thought, if you are making the drive to Dubuque and have the time, you really should try to get to Sugar Bottom in the Iowa City area, similar kind of riding on a much more organized trail system. Iowa City is about 90 minutes from Dubuque, I think the trails themselves are in North Liberty. Check out ICORR's site for more info:
http://www.icorrmtb.org/

Hope this info helps, enjoy the trip!