July 2024 Trails Talk
2024 BIKES-BREWS-BITES
The 2024 Bikes – Brews – Bites trails celebration held on July 19 was a big success and the DCTB extends our gratitude to all who supported the event through attendance, donations and sponsorships. An incredible response from area businesses, volunteers and donors made this fun event possible. All of this effort and support from our generous community ensures we are able to continue our mission of expanding and maintaining the Iowa Great Lakes Trails.
TATANKA SKA CONNECTION
TO LAKE PARK
Due to all of the rain in June, completing the trail to Lake Park has been delayed a few weeks. The original completion date of July 26 has been extended to mid-August. However, the contractor is preparing to pave the final section of trail this week and the DCTB looks forward to getting this segment open as soon as possible. Be on the lookout for details on a ribbon cutting to celebrate the Lake Park connection in the near future.
UPCOMING TRAIL EVENTS
SPORTSMAN’S 10th ANNUAL TIKI RIDE: Saturday, August 3 – Riders of all ages can enjoy 15, 40 and 50-mile routes with prizes and games along the way. The ride includes a shirt, gift bag and lunch at Sportsman’s with live entertainment during lunch and after the ride. There will be many prizes, games and fun surprises along the route and riders will receive a raffle entry at each of the sponsored stops. Proceeds from the ride will support Dickinson County Trails. More information on the ride and registration is available at Sportsman’s website www.sportsmans3d.com/tiki-ride.
CENTURY COTTAGE BIKE RIDE: Sunday, August 4 – Presented by the Okoboji Protective Association; enjoy a 10-mile bike ride by some of the 250 cottages that have been on the shores of West Okoboji for 100 years or more. The ride starts at Pikes Point State Park at 11:00am, travels down the east side of the lake and finishes at West O Beer. For more information and a route map visit www.okobojiprotectiveassociation.org.
MOVE FOR MENTAL HEALTH WALK: Saturday, August 24 – The Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club is spearheading a mental health walk that will start at Tatanka Ska Trailhead in Spirit Lake (across from Hy-Vee) and traverse along the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes Trails. The event is a team walk for awareness with each team comprised of two or four people with route distances of 2.5K, 5K and 10K. Proceeds will go to curriculum and speakers focused on mental health in Dickinson County school systems. Visit the IGL Rotary Facebook page for more information and registration.
THE GREAT BIGFOOT RIDE: TBD –This ride has been postponed to a later date due to the delay in completing the final trail segment to Lake Park. Organizers are looking at Labor Day weekend for this leisurely ride that starts at Rise and Grind in Lake Park, then travels to the Spillway Drive In in Spirit Lake and back. Follow the Great Bigfoot Ride Facebook page for information and updates.
As always, Happy Trails to You and Yours.
Erin Reed, Executive Director