Themed Bike Rides
Those of you that know me, know I am a big fan of the event above. Ride five miles, see a band and repeat. It”s on The Katy Trail in Missouri, but it is in no way the only way to enjoy a safe and well organized bike ride. There are many throughout the entire nation. I’ll list just a few in my area, but if you give me a state, we can find one near you (sorry, I have no resources outside The U.S, but would like to learn of any).
Ped Jam (above) is of course on a rail trail the Sat. and Sun. before Memorial Day. It is a great first ride to see if you like it. Well organized, affordable and only about 30 miles each day.
The Quad Cities is becoming a bit of a craft brew mecca for cyclists. There are at least a dozen craft breweries within half a mile of our paths. Tour De Brew is a great way to explore a lot them while supporting a great cause. This year, Ruby’s is a sponsor (we’ll have bands and prizes). Coming from out of town and don’t want to carry your bike? Rent an e-bike from me!
Tour de Brew QC 2023 Round
https://g.co/kgs/9JgdoS
The Baccoon Ride is in Iowa just 14 miles from Des Moines. It is June 7th and as you might expect, it is all about bacon and riding up to 72 miles along The Raccoon River Trail. I have never been able to participate, but I have friends that never miss it. https://tinyurl.com/3u3nzfz4
Baccoon is a great tune-up for The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). It.is the world’s largest participatory bicycle ride. Imagine soo many cyclists that they literally take over all the small towns along the way and those towns vie for the honor along a route that changes every year. Most of my friends actually gain weight on this ride. It ends in Davenport this year, just blocks from Ruby’s Beers, Bikes & Brats (we’ll have bands, prizes and great food at the intersection of more than 400 miles of trails).
Then there is Iowa’s answer to Ped Jam, The Hillbilly Ride, Sat. June 3rd. Folk and old time country music along The Chichaqua Trail. I’m thinking a rat rod bike, straw hat and overalls with no t-shirt. https://www.facebook.com/HillbillyBikeRide?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Ride Illinois has a number of rides, including The Ride Across Illinois, but of theirs, I favor Princeton’s https://ztour.org/ June 24th. Ride The Ups & Downs in Jo Davies County (Northern Illinois’s gorgeous Driftless Area) may become a new favorite http://www.goatscycling.com/events.html May 6th
It does not yet exist, but I would like to see a ride across Illinois featuring The Hennepin Canal Trail. A little bit of attention (maintenance) and this could be an attraction with world wide appeal.
Then there are uniquely themed bike rides like The Quad Cities Tweed Ride. More impromptu rides with The Ripe Bananna Riders and Rat Rod Bikers like The Cruizados.
Of course your local bike club has rides every week. Local to The Quad Cities, you may wish to check out The Riverbenders, The Riverbend Bicycle Club, The QCBC and Melon City Bicycle Club.
How about it? What is going on in your area? Let us know! If one were to try, you could do an organized event ride every weekend from March Through November without traveling more than a hundred miles or so from your home.