Iowa's Ride Weekender
Don't be surprised if you see more then 500 cyclists this weekend. "We have over 400 preregistered. People are not required to register so we are expecting 500+ from 15 different states" Says TJ one of the coordinator for the Iowa's Ride Weekender.
When TJ started Iowa's Ride many community members contacted TJ and let him know that Eldora would be a great host city but with corvid last year many facilities were concerned about opening their locations this year for the bike ride so the coordinators decided to change it to a weekender.
"When we saw that TJ was creating Iowa's Ride several of us contacted him to let him know Eldora would love to be a host town. We had a great experience when we were an overnight host town for RAGBRAI." Christy says, "When it was changed to a weekender event, we where happy to accommodate! Eldora has so much to offer in terms of recreation and this weekend will give us an opportunity to showcase it." From camping at pine lake to going to the Grand Theatre there's much one can do in Eldora.
But Eldora isn't the only town participating. "All the communities are making special plans for the riders." Christy says.
The Ride starts in Eldora at 9am and they head to Gifford where there will be Natural Grind food truck will be. Then off to Union where the Gingersnap and the Union Fire department are teaming up to make some breakfast and Lunch. If your getting thirsty by then you can also stop at the South Hardin Recreation Center. They will have Bloody Mary's and Mimosa Specials.
Traveling to New Providence has just as much to offer the riders. With the Roundhouse historical gym where they are showing the movie "Six on Six". Many business on Main street will be open as well.
From there, Riders can either go to Owasa for an extra 9 miles and there you can go to the Three Days Grille & Saloon where they will be serving pulled pork sandwiches and drinks on their fun patio.
The riders who take the extra 9 miles to Owasa will loop back to Steamboat Rock were the Ride ends.
Mostly.
Riders have a choice if they would like to take a scenic trail route back to Pine Lake in Eldora. But in Steamboat they will have a band, “Deja Blue” performing there from 5-9pm
If you want to participate you do not have to pre-register but you can on their website iowasride.com or register on the day of. You can join in the festivities and ride any part of the trail. The only requirements is a bike and a good time.
You can look at the flyer with the route, activities, and what each town has to offer here.