Overall Route Rating
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4.4 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.4
5 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jun 30, 2009

Rider Reviews

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deroy1390
2 McR Points
July 2, 2013
The White Pole ride is a very enjoyable ride.…
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Doc Love
8 McR Points
June 9, 2020
Scenic ride thru West Central Iowa. Small towns,…
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Written Directions

We knew we wanted to ride the White Pole Highway so we started our loop in Urbandale and headed west on I-80 to Adair. Start in Adair, IA. For the first attraction you need to head west out of town on G30. It's a county road that takes you to the site of the first train robbery in the West committed by Jesse James and his gang. After you've visited the site, turn around and head back into town. If you're so inclined stop over by the famous Smiley Face Water Tower for some pictures. Be sure to loop through main street. There was a pub at the end of the street with cold refreshments and a group of people friendly to motorcyclists. You might want to stop by the old newspaper building and take a picture. Head north out of town on county road N54. It leads you to F65 the White Pole Highway. Head east on F65. In Menlo you will see the Gas Station Man sign - if you pass at the right time of day he'll wave at you. We stopped in at Short's on Main Street. The locals were watching the NASCAR race. We enjoyed a refreshment and joined their conversation and reflections on the race and the veritable nerve (or lack thereof) of the different drivers. Similar adventures awaited us on down the road traveling east on the White Pole Highway. The route through Stuart, Dexter, north to Redfield and east to Adel is a step back in time on a comfortable two lane road. If you grew up in a small Iowa town, you'll relive the pride each community has in its own history and uniqueness. If you have not experienced small town living, make sure you initiate a conversation with the local residents. You'll find friendliness you didn't know existed, and you'll get a sense of what community caring is all about.

Scenery

The White Pole Highway reveals plenty of beautiful Iowa Countryside. You'll see corn, beans, and rolling hills of Iowa pasture land.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is good. There is occasional construction, but the ride is generally very smooth. There are some twists and turns and some hills. It is a pleasing ride.

Tourism Opportunities

Small towns are spaced every 6-8 miles along the road. There are the typical convenience shops in each town. You'll want to leave the road to cruise the local main street of each town to capture the essence of small town Iowa. Note: more roadside amenities are suggested below in the written directions text.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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deroy1390
July 2, 2013
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
The White Pole ride is a very enjoyable ride.

Pros:
Great scenery in summertime and fall
Nice roads
Easy ride for beginners
Curvy roads
Plenty of roads to test your bike to the max ;)

Cons:
Only one rest stop at the beginning and one at the end.
Can get boring towards the end.

Overall rating: 4/5
Great ride for anyone who doesn't want to travel out of Iowa and lives in Des Moines.
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2 riders found this road review useful
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Doc Love
June 9, 2020
8 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Scenic ride thru West Central Iowa. Small towns, good curves, less traffic and several places to stop to eat.
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2 riders found this road review useful
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Dr Joe
June 30, 2019
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Just did this ride from Waukee IA to Marne, IA. Why stop at Adair? Continue on 83 through Anita, IA, Wiota IA, and Atlantic, IA (Coca-cola bottling Co.) to Marne IA and visit Baxter Cycle. Baxter is one of the nations top British Motorcycle Stores, with an awesome group of people. The ride is about 75 miles one way and filled with rolling hills, farmland, over ten tiny Iowa towns that seem untouched by time (but which are slowly dying off) and dozens of windmills. The roads are so close to the interstate that traffic is very light (most cars just take the interstate). I rode both ways and not once did I see a car close in my rear view mirrors. So you are free to wheel along at your own pace. This trip is very easy and very pleasant. I highly recommend it!
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