From Waukee to Adel, Redfield, Linden, Panora, and Yale, up to Perry and down through Dallas Center and back to Waukee (with a few other little towns in between) cyclists braved the humidity, wind and several thunderstorms to participate in the Iowa “Bacoon Ride” last Saturday.
What does “BacCon” mean, you may ask? It’s a cross between “bacon” and “Racoon:” The ride took place along the beautiful Racoon River Valley Trail in central Iowa, and all along the way, riders were tempted with a variety of bacon treats (and beverages to wash them down).
From beginning to end, the ride was a total of 75 miles. Some 2,700 bikers were registered for the race but many more rode along for the fun during different segments of the ride.
As mentioned, the weather was less-than-perfect, but riders were undeterred as they made their way along the beautiful trail, dress in colorful garb and enjoying the red-carpet welcome extended by many of the towns along the route. Even in the small town of Linden, which most cyclists would have reached by about 10 a.m., featured a “beverage garden” and revelers could be heard most of the afternoon and evening (this editor believes many of them stayed and never left for the rest of the ride). Cyclists who paid to participate received a “PASSPork,” which served as their “magic key to get bacon treats along the way,” according to the event website.
The first-ever Racoon Ride was deemed a huge success and it is sure to become an annual event, serving as great preparation for the popular RAGBRAI bike ride across Iowa in late July. Who knows, maybe this editor will even participate next year – at least for a few miles.