OKOBOJI, Iowa | More tourists are choosing to take in the sights and sounds of the Iowa Great Lakes by bike.
They can stay on paved recreational trails, take to the streets and highways or cycle gravel roads.
Taylor Huseman, owner of Okoboji Expedition Co., 1021 US-71, said sightseeing is more enjoyable on a bike than in a car. The full-service bike shop is opening a new bike rental office in the Queens Court retail corridor in Arnolds Park.
"We do a lot of bike rentals out of our shop," he said. "People have said, 'We've been up here for years and we've always wanted to rent a bike.' They actually see more of the area."
Seventy-five percent of cyclists participate in recreational cycling. Huseman said customers who haven't been on a bike in a number of years will prefer riding a hybrid, a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. Hybrids have wider tires with a smooth tread, which he said is great for trails hard-packed with dirt and crushed limestone.
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"They do have a front suspension so they can absorb shock pretty easily, but you can also lock that out so it doesn't absorb shock. If you're riding only pavement you're a lot more efficient."
Take a hybrid on a paved trail that runs around West Lake Okoboji. The trail, which was recently completed, offers unobstructed views of the water.
"You can make all the way around without having to get on any sort of heavily traveled roads which is really nice," Huseman said.
Cyclists can also find paved trails around Minnewasta Lake, Upper Gar Lake and Lower Gar Lake. The Spine Trail travels through Arnolds Park and into Milford, Iowa. Riding a road bike, which has narrow tires with a smooth tread on these trails, Huseman said, could cause problems, as runners and walkers also frequent them.
"Road bikes tend to travel anywhere between 18 to 22 miles per hour," he said. "You get on trails with corners like that and you've got people walking dogs and strollers. It becomes a little dangerous."
Road bikers will prefer the 40-mile Swan Lake loop or the 35-mile Terrill loop. Huseman said cyclists will want to avoid Highways 9, 71 and 6.
"There's a lot of different roads that you can take that aren't heavily traveled in the area which is nice," he said.
He said some parents of young children will hook a bicycle trailer up to their hybrid bikes so the kids can ride along.
"We've just seen a big push toward an almost healthier lifestyle -- more families getting together and getting on bikes. Instead of just the mom coming in and getting a bike, we might see the mom and dad," he explained. "And then a year later, they say, 'We want our kids to ride with us.'"
 Cyclists looking for a more rugged experience, Huseman said, should check out gravel roads. Okoboji Expedition Co. also rents mountain bikes.
"In Iowa there are so many gravel roads and they're less traveled, so people are starting to turn to those to ride because there's less traffic," he said. "Your chances of an accident are a lot lower on gravel than they are pavement."
All rentals come with a helmet, which Huseman said is adequate protection for recreational riding on trails. Opt for shorts rather than pants, which could get caught in the bike's chainrings.
Road bikers, Huseman said, will wear shoes that are clipped into the pedals and spandex shorts that are padded.
Bright colors, white, yellow or neon green, he said, are a must for anyone riding on the road. Taillights are also recommended, even for those cycling on trails. Bring a water bottle which can be stored in your bike's water bottle cage.
Before taking off, Huseman said you should familiarize yourself with the rules of the road: stop at all stop signs and be sure to use proper hand signals. If you're turning right, put your right hand out.
"Most drivers will get the hint," Huseman assured.
