Head north for a day of bikes, small-town Iowa and plenty of food at the Bolan Bike Ride!
The tiny community of Bolan, Iowa - population 17! - welcomes cyclists on Saturday, September 19 for a choice of four mostly-flat routes through the communities of Grafton, Carpenter and St. Ansgar.
Choose your adventure:
12 miles – Grafton Loop
26 miles – Carpenter & Grafton
40 miles – Carpenter, St. Ansgar & Grafton
52 miles – Carpenter & Grafton loop twice
Registration begins at 8:00 AM with the ride rolling at 9:00 AM.
Come hungry! There's a FREE-WILL pancake breakfast at 8:00 AM, homemade treats at Grafton's historic depot, and your $10 ride registration even includes homemade pie and ice cream afterward!
And there's plenty happening off the bike too. Trinity U.M. Church will host a bazaar and scalloped potato & ham luncheon at the historic Bolan Schoolhouse, along with craft vendors, food and music.
At 1:00 PM, stick around for a special Route 66 - 100th Anniversary program featuring video, photos and music from Kelsie & Lori Willert's 2018–19 bicycle journey from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Ride Details
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Registration: 8:00 AM
Ride: 9:00 AM
Registration Fee: $10
Registration includes a route map, support vehicle, and homemade pie & ice cream after the ride.
Proceeds benefit the Bolan Community Fund and community improvements.
This has all the makings of a classic Iowa bike ride - quiet roads, tiny towns, good food, local history and a community that's happy to have cyclists come visit.
Come RIDE. STAY. PLAY. in Bolan!