FIRFAR 7
Flannel Iowa River Fatbike Adventure Ride
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2024 @ 10AM
Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Distances 20 - 50 miles
Entry Fee (recommended): A Toy
Back by popular demand? Iowa’s dumbest fall ride returns for its 007th edition. “Do you expect me to talk? No Mr. Bond. I expect you to ride” (or something like that…) Another mixed terrain adventure on all the stuff, with options from 20-ish to 50-ish miles through the scenic Iowa River greenbelt area in Hardin County. We’re also supporting a local toy drive again this year.
The routes include: gravel & paved roads, dirt trail, mowed grass trail, paved trail, dirt/grass level C road, and unimproved gravel rail trail.
The ride starts/ends outside Happenings bar in downtown Steamboat Rock (opens at 11:00 AM). Optional coffee time ~9:15 before the ride is across the street near the library. To help fit this year’s 007th edition theme, I'll also have stuff to make & share some tomato and/or espresso martinis; shaken, not stirred - around that time as well (and no, I'm not kidding). Wheels rolling ~10:00AM. There is a convenience store (The Rock Stop) that will be open that morning if you need anything on the way into town. Since we’ll be rolling through the Valley of Friendliness, I’d encourage meeting new folks and try to keep somewhat together / regroup periodically (however, some may want to go slower or stop more often, while in cool weather others may prefer to keep moving…ride however makes you happy).
Happenings runs an annual toy drive the month of November to help area families in need, so your recommended “entry fee” for the ride is to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate there afterwards (and you also get a free drink from Happenings if you donate).
Routes - 20, 30, 40, or 50 Miles (and all three routes are together for the first 15 miles)
Food / Drink - Post-ride social is at Happenings, and they can also cook you a Pasquales Pizza there. All routes also pass by a Casey’s convenience store and the Firehouse Saloon & Grill (just north of the Caseys) in Eldora.
All are welcome! Fat or mountain bike, or a gravel bike with at least 45c tires recommended. If you don’t have one, but have a cross, klunker, hybrid, or beach cruiser? Yeah…come and play bikes! Much of the route is gravel roads, and should work OK, depending on tires and your comfort level with a few little stretches of dirt trail & chunky/grassy/weedy trail. At the Sac & Fox area, if you don’t have wider tires, you can also hang out at the overlook shelter (great views from there) and heckle those trying to ride up the really steep grass trail right below the shelter as they come up out of the valley!