Join Scott from BIKEIOWA.com to hear about what's on his radar in the Iowa cycling scene this weekend. #FridayFives is a new series for Summer 2020 and we plan to share fun destinations, events and happenings each week.
For Week #5, it is:
1) BIKESEXUAL T-SHIRTS - NEW COLORS!
There are brand new colors of BIKESEXUAL t-shirts now in stock in the BIKEIOWA store. The shirts have always been Canvas Red, but now they are also offered in Aqua, Berry, Teal and Olive. For more subtle messaging, there’s also a Dark Grey t-shirt with black print.
Just like all the rest of the BIKEIOWA t-shirts, they are super soft Bella+Canvas t-shirts, printed in Des Moines, Iowa by T-Shirt Graphix at Beaverdale Bicycles.
Quantities and sizes are super limited on each color, so don’t delay on your order: https://bikeiowa.myshopify.com/…/bikese…
2) DRIVER ARRESTED
This isn’t fun news, but we always try to follow the news when cyclists are killed. Gerrick Stotser, a daily bike commuter and well-known cyclist in the Cedar Valley area was killed just before 1:00AM on February 2, 2020, on his commute home from work. It was a hit run and another motorist saw Stotser in the road and called 911. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Frankie Mae Price was arrested yesterday (June 18) and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
3) SWIGG (SOUTHWEST IOWA GRAVEL GRINDER)
There’s not too many rides and races happening this year, but SWIGG - the Southwest Iowa Gravel Grinder based in Villisca, Iowa is still on for Saturday, June 27. They’ll have staggered start times and three different distances - 50K, 100K and 200K. Organizer Cory McAlpin reports there are 82 folks signed up so far and pre-registration is open until Monday, June 22.
Cory wants to remind everybody to social distance and that masks are optional for the event. He says there will be hand sanitizer, soap, and running water at the start and finish lines. He does, however, encourage everyone to carry hand sanitizer on their bikes to use on the race course.
More info: bikeiowa.com/…/southwest-iowa-gravel-gr…
4) Bike Central - TUESDAY NIGHT RIDES
Bike Central in Le Mars, Iowa may be missing out on preparing for RAGBRAI 2020, but they aren’t missing out on the chance for socially distanced bicycle rides! They have started up their Tuesday Night Rides. Every week, they meet up at the Le Mars Municipal Park Shelter House at 6:30pm and different groups head out for rides ranging from 10 to 35 miles. If you’re in Northwest Iowa and looking for folks to ride with, check out the Bike Central Tuesday Night Ride!
5) TIM O’CONNOR MEMORIAL RIDE
You might remember Tim O’Connor of Ames who passed away in 2017. He was a fun-loving and friendly cyclist, known by many here in Iowa and beyond as Timmy. For almost a decade, Tim rode RAGBRAI with Team Sop-N-Wet, where he served as Safety Coordinator. Before that, he rode with Team Kamikaze.
Tim’s friends will gather at the Whistlin' Donkey Sports Bar and Grill this Saturday, June 20, for a ride on the High Trestle Trail. The ride will include stops at Timmy’s favorite places. Be sure to check out the Hammock Hotel at the Whistlin’ Donkey in memory of Timmy.
More info: https://www.bikeiowa.com/…/tim-oconnor-…
THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK ! You can find more information on all of these items by checking out https://bikeiowa.com/.
If YOU have something you’ve like us to share on Friday Fives ping us on Facebook or email Biker@BIKEIOWA.com
Finally, remember that COVID-19 is still spreading in communities across the state! Cycling outdoors can be a safe activity, as you’re able to maintain a safe distance from others and frequently wash your hands.
Please don’t attend events if you or someone in your household is ill.
Even with all that’s going on in the world, have a GREAT WEEKEND and RIDE SAFE !