Description

Party Ride

Distance - 8, 14, or 20 miles

Furry Friends Refuge invites you to its furst — er, first — fundraising bike ride to benefit the animals in its care.

This exciting event will be held Sunday, Aug. 30. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and the activities last until 4 p.m. Riders can choose from three different route lengths: 8, 14, and 22 miles. 

Participants will also enjoy several rest stops at area bars like Confluence, Exile, 515 Brewing, and Lime Lounge; Water Works Park; and FFR's newly opened shelter in downtown Des Moines. (So yes, there will be critters to pet during this event!)

T-shirts will be available for purchase separately from registration, starting Aug. 1.

Furry Friends Refuge is a no-kill animal shelter based in West Des Moines. The nonprofit, which receives no governmental funding, cares for an average of 150 to 250 animals per day and has built no-kill communities in West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale.

Route

All three options start at 9 Lives Boutique & Thrift in Valley Junction, then take Railroad Avenue's sidewalk to the Bill Riley Trail.

Family riders will go directly from the Bill Riley Trail into Water Works Park; they have the option of going straight back to 9 Lives or heading over to Furry Friends Refuge's adoption facility at 1723 Grand Ave. in downtown Des Moines.

More advanced riders can go north on the Walnut Creek Trail to access Ingersoll Avenue. They'll take that downtown (via Furry Friends' new shelter and Exile) to the MLK Junior Parkway trail and into the East Village (for Lime Lounge), then loop around Gray's Lake to stop at Confluence. From there, they can grab refreshments at Water Works before heading to 515 Brewing.

Registration

Register in advance for $15 here. Day-of registration will be available for $20.

Contact

Sadye Scott-Hainchek

sadye@furryfriendsrefuge.org