Iowa Bike Expo Run down - What not to miss

Fri January 25 2013
Posted Jan 25, 2013
16,343

The Iowa Bike Expo has become quite popular over the last couple of years and is sure to be a staple in the cycling community as is RAGBRAI and the BRR ride.

The Expo will take place Saturday, Jan 26th and over 90 quality vendors will be there with an estimated 5000 in attendence. In sddition to the Expo, there will be a speaker series all day long on various cycling topics. When the Expo closes, the RAGBRAI Announcment Party commences.

The Expo is FREE and open to the public, but you'll need tickets for the RAGBRAI Announcement Party.

This year the Iowa Bicycle Coalition has stepped it up several notches with over 50,000 square feet at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

There is no reason for not attending this weekend as there is something for everyone!

Here is BIKEIOWA "Don't Miss" List!!!

Lots of BIKEIOWA's Sponsors will be in there. Please support THEM like they support US. This list is in no particular order...

Raccoon River Valley Trail Association - Touted as one of America’s best recreational trails, the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) is a 56 mile paved trail from Des Moines to Jefferson, and an additional 33 mile "North Loop" section that is 90% finished and will be open this Spring. There is SO much to do along the RRVT. Chuck and Carla Offenburger have been instrumental making this trail the destination that it is today.

Cedar Falls Tourism Bureau - Over 110 miles of trails in the Cedar Falls Waterloo area and organizer of the Cedar Valley Trails Festival in which BIKEIOWA attended lat year. If you are planning a staycation close-by this year, spend a long weekend on the Cedar Valley Trails. The Cedar Falls Tourism Bureau is a Premier BIKEIOWA Sponsor,and we THANKS them for being early adopters. Talk to Kim Manning or one of here staff to find out more about their awesome trails system. Oh yeah... They've got some great off-road trails too maintained by CVAST.

Primal Wear Inc. - They make jerseys and other technical apparel, and have just entered a 5 year sponsorship with RAGBRAI, They have been providing the RAGBRAI jerseys for several years, they make the BIKEIOWA jerseys and countless RAGBRAI Teams, Charity Rides and Race Teams around the Nation. Stop by and talk to Hutch who is an avid cyclist who promote rides and races in Boulder CO.

Bike Rags - "Ride Safe yet remain Fashionable in our reflective cycling apparel. It's Genius!! Their unique blend of bamboo t-shirts and reflective ink is way cool! Tony has been ridin' RAGBRAI for years. He rode from Cedar Rapids to Chicago last year and loves cool biking T-shirts. Bike Rags has been making the BIKEIOWA coozies for several years now too.

Barr Bike - They'll have Doug Dye of Cannondale and Terra Trike Staff at their booth. Barr Bike is a long time BIKEIOWA sponsor and has been in the biking industry since most of us have been sucking our thumbs.

Rassmussen Bike Shop - Greg, Sterling and crew are always there to help. Located in West Des Moines near the Center Trails, they've found a great niche with the mountain and Fat bikes. Bike fits and Tri-bikes too. Another long time supporter of BIKEIOWA.

ICHI Bike - You want something unique? A Klunker, Rat Rod, or Vintage bike? Dan at Ichi Bike is the man to see. Dan is a tattoo artist by trade and had transformed his skin art into some pretty sweet unique bicycles. He built the BIKEIOWA side-hack "Pit Bike" that we use to set up race course, do trail cleanups, etc. He'll have a large booth at the expo with plenty of eye candy!

Bike World - 3 locations to serve you! Ames, Douglas and the West Des Moines. Forrest, Bif, Justin, Tom, Steve, Bill and the rest of the staff are super-involved in the Iowa Cycling Community. They were the driving force behind the reality show called Bike People that showcases Iowa's crazy cyclists.

Flat Tire Lounge - From Madrid Iowa and only a 3 miles from the High Trestle Trail, this bar caters to cyclists like no other. Having beers on they deck a few feet off the trail is priceless. Cyclists from all over the nation have popped in the last couple of year. You cannot miss it! If you do, you don't deserve to stop in anyways! Stop by their booth at the Expo and say Hello to Scott Olsen. Scott is the one who build the Android BIKEIOWA app and is working on a iPhone app which we'll be able to show you at the Expo.

Bar Mitts - If you ride in the Winter, you gotta talk to the Bar Mitts guy. Our favorite statement for riding is "There is no such thing as Bad Weather, only Bad Gear". Stop by and have a look at these Neoprene handlebar covers. I've got a set and can ride in any weather and not worry about my hands anymore. The coverage and the air pockets create enough warmth. The only thing that would make 'em better is if we could get them to become a sponsor of BIKEIOWA.

RAGBRAI - TJ and crew will be on hand to tease you about this year's RAGBRAI Route.. See if you can get 'em to talk... While you are at it, say hi to Scott Garner who just joined the staff.

Dream Team - The Dream Team uses the power of a bicycle to assist youth in developing a positive approach to life's challenges. They will have materials that showcase our new logo (unveiling it on Friday). Also, they'll be part of the RAGBRAI Announcement Party that night (holding the signs on stage when the overnight towns are announced). Needless to say...we're pretty excited about the good things we have going right now. Stop by and shake Tyler Weig's hand...

Spokiz - Hingeless Sunglasses for hardcore lifestyles and extreme sports. They've also found a niche with Parkinsons kids. Good and useful! Stop by and talk to Scott Tomer and James Hermsen (real life scientist/accidental inventor)

BRR Ride - "The original Winter Ride" is 36 years old this year and will happens on Feb 2nd in Perry and is expected to be Bigger and Better. The Iowa Craft Beer Truck with be on-hand with 18-24 taps of flowing Iowa beers. Talk to Bob Wilson of the Perry Chamber about BRR, the music scene, the new Bike Shop in Perry and the completion of the Raccoon River's North Loop that will go through Perry. Perry is not just your Winter destination anymore...

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival - BACON - need I say more?

BIKEIOWA - We'll be there to showcase the website, its new features and showing you ways to help you promote your Event, your Trail or your City. We've got some some great T-shirt designs thanks to T-shirt Graphix. This is a great fund raiser for us too, so bring cash and yes, we'll be taking credit cards too. We'll also be speaking at 2pm at the Expo in Room #2. Stop by!

There are so many more Vendors. I'm sure you'll hit every vendor there. This was a good start! Check out the full Vendor list HERE.

Outside of the Expo

Looking for food or drink before, during or after the Expo and Announcement Party?

Buzzard Billy's is a block from the Expo Hall. Good food and cold beer.

If you are going downtown. El Bait Shop is a MUST featuring 120 beers on draft and another 85 in bottles. The High Life Lounge connect to el Bait Shop and has a very unique flair with it's wood paneling, shag carpet and bacon-wrapped tator tots. Travel across the River and check out Mullets. Looking for an authentic British Pub? Look no further than the Royal Mile on 4th street. Above the Royal Mile is the Red Monk dedicated to the most interesting beers in the world, Belgian style beers.