Des Moines Cycle Club Hosts Tour the Raccoon Ride Saturday

From the Des Moines Cycle Club

Your friends at the Des Moines Cycle Club invite you to participate in the club's signature bike ride, The Tour the Raccoon. This two day tour is designed for cyclists of all levels, from families looking for a great way to spend a weekend together, to the experienced cyclist adding base miles. All of the pass-through towns along the way look forward to being your hosts for this fun, family event. Our overnight town of Jefferson is hosting their very popular Bell Tower Festival the same weekend, so there will be plenty of food, drink and activities for everyone.

The Tour the Raccoon can be ridden entirely on central Iowa's smooth, paved and virtually flat trail system. Making this event a great way to get the entire family into cycling. But 60 miles of riding per day requires training and should not be taken too lightly.

Please review the Online Rider Handbook for the rules and other ride information. We will update the Rider Handbook as necessary, so please check it often. Online registration is $30 and will be open till Monday June 4th. Day of the ride registration will be held from 8 AM to 10 AM at EASON Elementary School in Waukee, Iowa just west of Des Moines. Overnight parking will be available at the school. Day of the ride registration is $35 but we encourage you to register online early so organizers have a good idea of how many people to plan for. Registration includes free showers, campground, and baggage delivery to the campground. Plus all registered riders will receive a free breakfast Sunday morning before we head back to Des Moines.

To keep too many people from going down the trail at the same time there is no official mass start time, but a group leaves from Eason Elementary around 9 AM if you’d like to ride with others. You've got all day to make it to Jefferson so take your time and enjoy all of the great sights and small towns along the trail.

We're looking forward to riding with all of you...see you there!