Bike Van Buren XXXI

 We are gearing up for another outstanding event!
The ride will offer different routes with different mileages to accommodate everyone regardless of your level of experience. And of course, free SAG support and complimentary refreshments will be at every stop!
Back by popular demand is the Friday afternoon Geode Paddle and NEW this year, there will be a Stand-up Paddleboard Training at Lake Lacey on Friday evening and a "Tools of the Past" presentation at
Lacey-Keosauqua Campground on Saturday night.

Also, NEW is our Saturday evening dinner which will be served in the Keosauqua City Park from 4-7pm by the Keosauqua Lions.
 BBQ thick Iowa Pork Chops, baked beans, potato salad , macaroni salad & drinks for JUST $8.00!  
The Tarnished Brass Band will perform in the City Park from 5-6pm, and Ol' Fashion Root Beer Floats will be served from 5-7p. Just $1.50 each. Proceeds will benefit the Bonaparte Community Improvement Association.

Online Registration is closed.

Walk-up registrations are welcome.
Sat. 7a-8:30a, Sun. 7:30a-8:00a.
 Keosauqua City Park.

 

                            

 Bike Van Buren XXXI

 This cycling adventure will lead you through some of the most beautiful countryside in Iowa! You'll enjoy pedaling your way across a portion of the Historic Hills Scenic Byway, taking in historic river Villages dating back to the 1840's. You'll also experience our "prairie villages" where the land is flat and fertile, row crops are prevalent and the friendly down-to-earth folks will welcome you with open arms.

                   Each route will BEGIN and END in Keosauqua.

Routes are not revealed until registration. At which time you will receive maps with routes & mileage, hospitality stops, restrooms and lunch option. Mileages will vary, on Saturday we will have a 56 mile, 41 mile and a 36 mile route to choose from. Sunday will have 2 route options; 53 mile & a 35 mile. Hospitality/rest stops are, on average, 7 miles apart. 

Technical support will once again be provided by our long-standing partner Bickel's Cycling and Fitness   . Free SAG support will be provided by Villages of Van Buren staff and volunteers. The crews will be in full force on all of the route options for both days. Each vehicle will be equipped with FREE cold bottled water (Courtesy of Bonaparte Retreat), limited first aid and assistance as needed. Please bring your cell phone to insure quicker service should you need it as the maps will include the necessary phone numbers for all support crews.

Our hospitality/snack stops will NOT be accepting free-will donations. Your one-time registration fee will include refreshments at all hospitality stops. You will have the option to purchase your lunch at registration ($8 adult, $5 child).  Keosauqua Lions will serve breakfast of Pancake, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs and Fresh Fruit, for $6.00, both mornings in the City Park.
Saturday evening dinner will be served in the Keosauqua City Park from 4-7pm by the Keosauqua Lions who will serve a plate dinner of BBQ thick Iowa Pork Chops, baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw for $8.00. Tarnished Brass will perfrom from 5-6pm and Ol' Fashion Homemade Root Beer Floats for $1.50 will be served from 5-7pm.

Lunch Options - $8.00 Adults, $5 Children. Available as a pre-pay option or purchase the morning of registration. (Cost at lunch site will be $10.)
  SATURDAY LUNCH will be at Bridge Cafe in Farmington who will offer a full buffet with 2 hot meat entrees and several side dishes plus a full cold salad bar with several healthy, high protein, fruits and vegetables. All riders will also receive a free cold bottled water to-go.
SUNDAY LUNCH will be cold cut sandwiches; ham, turkey, roast beef, potato chips, homemade potato salad, fruit salad, brownie & homemade ice cream, tea, lemonade & water served at the Lebanon Methodist Church. 

Our FUN POKER RUN has been very popular! Riders try to collect the best "Poker Hand" by drawing cards at designated Hospitality Stops for a chance to win awesome prizes from Bickel's Cycling & Fitness. Two lucky riders who have the BEST Poker Hand on EACH day will win $100 CASH! This year, you can increase your odds of winning by purchasing additional cards for $1.00 each, at the time of registration! You'll turn Saturdays card in at the dinner location from 4-6pm in the Keosauqua City Park and the winners will be notified shortly after 6pm. Sunday cards will also be turned in at the Keosauqua City Park. Winners will be notified and prizes mailed on Monday.

Commemorative T-shirts can be ordered at the time of registration. This years shirts will be a Sport-Tek T-shirt 3.8 oz., 100% polyester with moisture management qualities. Shirts ordered during early-bird registration can be picked up the day of the event. Shirts ordered after July 28, will be mailed within 3-4 weeks of the event.

Participants will be sharing the roadways with vehicular traffic. Although  most of the route is on sparsely traveled paved county roads, there are sections that include travel on state highways. For your own safety, helmets are strongly encouraged, but not required.

 Registration/Check-in will be held at the Keosauqua City Park.
Saturday, August 19th: 7:00am-8:30am
Sunday, August 20th: 7:30am - 8:00am (for Sunday only riders)

 

                           >>> No bike? No problem! <<<
Bike Rentals available at:
Paddle, Pedal and More (319-592-3220) 
Bickels Cycling & Fitness (319-754-4410) 

NOTE: All riders (under 18 will require parent/guardian signature) will be required to sign a release of liability waiver. 

Release of Liability Waiver is available on our website. Download, complete and save time at registration!

 ANYONE UNDER 18 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

DO NOT FORGET TO WEAR YOUR BIKE HELMETS!!! 

THEY SAVE LIVES AND HELP AVOID SERIOUS INJURIES.

                   Special Activities - Friday August 18

Once again, we have partnered with the IA DNR, Jefferson County Conservation and the Des Moines River Water Trail to offer some extra special activities on Friday that you are sure to enjoy...all at NO CHARGE! Extend your weekend for some extra special fun!

GEODE PADDLE - 10:00am- 2:00pm begins at Bentonsport Boat Ramp.
                              **REGISTRATION IS FULL**
Geodes are nature’s treasure chest! This guided float will begin at the Bentonsport Boat Ramp and conclude at the Des Moines River acces near Bonaparte. Along this beautiful stretch of river, you will stop on the sandbars to search for geodes. This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation. If you do not have your own canoe or kayak, some are available for loan. The trip is open to all but children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required and participation is limited. There is no registration fee for this paddle.

Participants may register for these events by calling (641)-472-4421 or email: dmriverwatertrail@gmail.com

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD CLINICs - 5:00pm & 6:30pm. Meet at the Beach area at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
Beat the heat and try something new this summer at the Stand Up Paddleboard Clinic. You can reserve your hour session for some paddling as the day winds down. The session will open with directions from a certified instructor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources then participants will be able to put their skills to the test on the water. First session begins at 5:00 pm and the second session will begin at 6:30 pm. Any participants under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation The clinic is open to all but children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. . There is no cost for the clinic, however, Preregistration is required and participation is limited. 

Participants may register for these events by calling (641)-472-4421 or email: dmriverwatertrail@gmail.com

Special Activities - Saturday August 19

 TOOLS OF THE PAST on Saturday at 6:00pm at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
How Did They Do That?! For thousands of years preindustrial populations hunted and farmed in Iowa.These people had to make everything they needed from string to houses. Join Cherie E. Haury-Artz, Archaeology Technician Specialist at the Office of the State, as she describes various prehistoric technologies. She will have materials to examine so participants can experiment with how they were used. This is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation. For more information, please call (641)-919-6822 or email dmriverwatertrail@gmail.com. There is no cost and Pre-registration is not required. 

CELEBRATE IOWA ARTISTS on Saturday, August 19, in the Bentonsport National Historic District.
Celebrate the late Wendell Mohr's life, work and history. Works of his art will be displayed throughout the specialty shops with various artists' demonstrations. Tour Wendell's studio, the Vernon School, from 1-4pm. No admission fee. Villages Folk School will host a Plein Aire Painting Class with John Preston. You can register for the class at www.villagesfolkschool.com