Ed Foster, a Waterloo resident who owns Sunset Cyclery in Sunset Hills, Mo., and his pals Chris Purcell and Doug Rabbermann, also of Waterloo, were interested in the idea of having a scenic bike trail in town.

Some possible locations had been discussed, and after speaking with Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith, the ideal area was chosen.

“It was just three guys riding bicycles and dreaming out loud,” Foster said. “Now we’re the village idiots cutting in the woods.”

The city owns nearly 140 acres of land as part of its sewer plant off Country Club Lane near Sherwood Lane. With only about 20 acres used for the sewer plant and another 50 acres that are farmed, there’s about 60 acres of land that is either wooded area or not usable for living or farming.

The three men are busy turning that area of land, which contains two wet creeks and two dry creeks, plenty of exposed rocks and other scenic qualities, into a bike trail that can also be used for nature walks and cross country events.

“We’re weekend warriors, just volunteering our time to do this,” Purcell said. “It all just seemed to fall into place.” Foster said about two miles of trail are cut right now, with a goal to get the front side completed by the end of February.

The men will then work on the back side of the trail.

When it is all completed, there should be about seven or eight miles of trail, Foster said.

“You’ll be able to ride 14 or 15 miles before you get bored,”he said. “It’s not flat. It’s beautiful out there.”

Currently, locals who enjoy riding mountain bikes on trails have to travel to Castlewood State Park or Greensfelder Park in Missouri, Foster said. This new trail will change that.

“There’s really nothing like it around here,” Foster said.

There’s still plenty of work with chainsaws and hauling to do, Foster and Purcell said, but the trail is moving along at a rapid pace. Work on a parking lot near the trail off Sherwood Lane has also begun.

“It’s pretty easy to walk or hike right now, but is not packed down enough for biking,” Foster said.

It is hoped that local Boy Scout troops and 4-H groups will offer their assistance as the trail is further developed, and high school cross country teams would be welcome to run out there as well.

Those interested in helping out with the trail project can call Foster at 314-607-1880.