May Trails Talk
DCTB HOLDS TRAILHEAD GRAND OPENING
The weather was a little chilly on Saturday but the Tatanka Ska Trailhead grand opening and bike ride was a well attended and successful event. Erin Reed, DCTB Executive Director, thanked the many project partners and supporters while John Franken highlighted the contractors that participated in the development of the trailhead. As part of the event, a bike ride was held that featured the completed rail trail to Montgomery.
The DCTB extends it’s gratitude to everyone that made the celebration a success, including Tammy Hamlin for providing music, Nancy Dieterich and BeaKay Salmon for event assistance, Central Bank and Lakes Regional Healthcare for refreshments and snacks and West O Brewery for sponsoring the rest stop in Montgomery.
In addition to Imagine Iowa Great Lakes partnership on the project, over $220,000 was raised through grants, sponsorships and donations. Thank you to all that have supported this wonderful addition to the Iowa Great Lakes Trails. For more information on the trailhead and available sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.dickinsoncountytrails.com.
SPIRIT LAKE 4th GRADE BRAWL
Eighty-eight Spirit Lake 4th graders, with 28 adults helping along the way, spent the last day of school on May 20 participating in the 8th annual BRAWL (Bike Ride Along West Lake). Spirit Lake PE teacher and ride organizer Tim O’Hagan said, “As much as I love the activities we do in the gym, I feel it is important to expose students to activities they can do outside of the gym as well. Biking has been one of many great fits in this community. I see students using the trails to commute, for fitness purposes, recreating and family time. This year I had three former elementary school students, who now work at the school, riding with us. It was rewarding to have a 3 year old being pulled by a student’s mom as well a grandmother take part in the action. The event keeps growing in ways
I never imagined; now it is not if we are going on the BRAWL but should we go on more bike rides? I say yes!”
The ride features three routes ranging from 8.5-12.5 miles and it is an excellent opportunity to teach the students about bike safety and the joy of our local trails. Thank you to everyone that makes this great event a reality including Iowa Lakeside Lab and First Lutheran Church for hosting the student riders and Jason Murray of Danny Axtell Trucking for hauling all of the bikes to and from the event.
UPCOMING TRAIL EVENTS
38TH ANNUAL U of O CAMPUS BIKE RIDE: Saturday, June 25 – Enjoy a ride around the Iowa Great Lakes of 25, 50 or 100 miles. A pancake breakfast starts at 7:00am with ride to follow at 9:00am. Take in the beauty of scenic trails and lakeside roads on your bicycle with proceeds going to help the community and trails system. Visit the Campus Ride’s Facebook page for ride details.
BRASL – BIKE RIDE AROUND SPIRIT LAKE: Saturday, July 9 – Enjoy a 15-mile bike cruise around Iowa’s largest natural lake or power bike 25 and 50-mile routes around the Iowa Great Lakes and Minnesota. This is a family friendly ride that treats you to scenic lakeside trails and includes a t-shirt and lunch certificate. Proceeds from the event will benefit Dickinson County Trails. Visit www.spiritlakecc.com for ride details and registration.
DCTB 2022 SUMMER FUNDRAISER: Friday, July 22 – Plans are coming together for the 2022 “Bikes – Brews – Bites” trails celebration that will take place at the Maser Monarch Lodge by the Dickinson County Nature Center. There will be a variety of brews, wine and a bourbon tasting along with live music and a fantastic menu provided by Back Alley BBQ. Keep an eye out for information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets that will be available soon through the DCTB’s website and Facebook pages. For more information, please contact us at dctrails@dickinsoncountyiowa.govcreate new email or visit our website at www.dickinsoncountytrails.com .
As always, Happy Trails to You and Yours.
Erin Reed, DCTB Executive Director