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We have a big soft spot for the Wabash Trace, a gorgeous 64-mile rail-trail, right in our back yard. When the temps are above freezing, chances are that we are walking or riding that trail. Come spring, it becomes a lush green tunnel and comes alive with birds and bees and all manner of wildlife.
A couple years ago, we finally realized a longtime dream, to introduce our happy cycling friends to our favorite trail, to the friendly citizens of its little towns, to the pubs and restaurants along the way, and some foot-stomping local music on Pork Stage. We have marshalled all of our resources and a happy little Pork Crew so that YOU can develop a soft spot of your own for a little spring trail ride...
The Third Annual Birds & Bees!
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ABOVE/BELOW: Classic Cafe in Malvern--delicious! | |
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Birds & Bees Bike Ride
May 18 to 22, 2023
$225 rider entry fee
Register Right Here!
https://pkbelly.com/Birdsandbees2023
5/18, Check-in, 10-mile Nebraska option,
and 20-mile Taco Ride
5/19, 22 miles to Malvern
5/20, 22 miles to Shenandoah
5/21, 22 miles to Malvern, plus 44-mile Missouri option
5/22, 22 miles back to Council Bluffs
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Birds & Bees
Amenities Include:
- All trail user fees
- Camping fees in our reserved campsites
- 5 days cycling, baggage transport daily
- fresh-brewed morning coffee
- daily refreshment stop on the trail,
- charging station for phones and devices (e-bikes welcome, charging available),
- daily hot private shower and towel,
- cold beverages in camp (some free, some $1),
- live music on stage in or near camp,
- daily town maps,
- souvenir Birds & Bees t-shirt
- optional tent rental
- optional PHAT Room rental
- optional breakfasts in camp
- optional massage therapy
- our cheerful Pork Crew to serve you.
RIGHT: Shower stalls cleaned
after every use!
BELOW RIGHT: everybody's favorite massage therapist, Ashley, will be along on Birds & Bees!
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ABOVE LEFT: Wildlife abounds on the Wabash Trace! | |
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1.
It's a Spring Starter-Outer.
Want to ease into your cycling season? These are gentle miles, 22 each day. The trail used to be a crooked little railroad, so the inclines are gradual and the declines are wonderful.
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2.
It's a Very
Good Value.
The entry fee for this fully supported 5-day ride is only $225. For all services--entry, tents, and PHAT Room--this is our least expensive ride.
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3.
It's So Chill.
Ride, Eat, Relax.
Repeat.
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4.
Life Gets Small.
Mineola: pop. 166
Silver City: pop. 245
Malvern: pop. 1143
Imogene: pop. 72
Shenandoah: pop. 4728
Birds & Bees: pop. 100 riders or so
For these five days, life gets
pretty small.
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BELOW: A happening place in Malvern.
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5. Who's on Pork Stage?
We always book exciting entertainment for Birds & Bees on both Saturday and Sunday! Malvern and Shenandoah will likely have some great entertainment too!
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6.
For the Love of Marshmallows
Burned to a crisp or golden all over? You be the judge. At Boehner Pond in Malvern on Friday and Sunday nights,
Lance will light the fires. We've got the marshmallows.
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7.
Natural Beauty
"This jewel of southwest Iowa provides an idyllic route from Council Bluffs through a chain of small towns down to the Missouri border. Scenery along the northern part of the trail includes the windswept Loess Hills."
That's why the Wabash Trace is listed as a Top-20 Rail-Trail!
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8.
The Taco Ride
Every Thursday in the summer, a whole lot of local people saddle up and ride 10 miles down the Wabash and back. Destination: Tobey Jack's in the center of Mineola.
This weekly supper party is called The Taco Ride, and it's the first leg of Birds & Bees on Thursday, the 18th.
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9.
An Iowa Welcome
Just for You.
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ABOVE: Group Photo, 2022, on the Bob! Pete shot it on t
he Bob Kerry Pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River.
This is the Nebraska option described below.
10.The Tri-State
Challenge.
If you're up for it, friends, you can hit three states in one ride.
On Thursday, we'll give you a lift on a fun little trolley across the Missouri River. You can ride back across the curvy 3000-foot Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge to Council Bluffs and straight to the trailhead.
🐷 Nebraska. Check.
Birds & Bees carries you south from Council Bluffs.
🐷 Iowa. Check.
Are you up for another 44 extra miles? On Sunday morning, you can ride south from Shenandoah to the Iowa/Missouri State Line, and then north again to Malvern. (We'll have an extra refreshment stop for you near the Missouri State Line!)
🐷 Missouri. Check.
And that makes you a Tri-State Rider--special recognition on Sunday night!
BELOW: The curving Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River.
The Bob is your route from Nebraska back to Iowa.
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Rental
Tents
Available
When you use our rental tent, our crew handles your set-up, take-down, and moving your bags throughout the tour. We're happy to place friends next to each other. Just be sure you have a common group name on your Birds & Bees applications.
Rental tents are just $165 for this tour. Two people can share and split that cost.
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PHAT
Rooms
Available
You only unpack once when you choose our PHAT Rooms for your accommodation on Birds & Bees.
Rooms feature knotty pine interiors and laminate flooring. We provide mattresses, linens, and blankets. Charge your devices on outlets next to your bed. There are switched lights at the head of each bed, along with fans to circulate the air and provide white noise.
Rooms are air-conditioned: you can control the temperature in your room.
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PHAT Rooms are just a fraction of their price on RAGBRAI or other tours. On Birds & Bees: Only $595 per room. Rooms can be shared by up to 5 sleepers. | |
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STARTING AT RIGHT and down the right column, cool weather for the farewell concert at Boehner Pond in Malvern; victory photo at the Missouri State Line; personal pies, little ones, at the Birds & Bees bake sale from the Malvern Park Board; and Lance, grilling breakfast for our riders.
STARTING BELOW and down the LEFT column: breakfast burritos on a log beside peaceful Boehner Pond. It just doesn't get any better than this; two years in a row, these three did the Missouri option; And the good energy of live music in camp!
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BELOW: Enjoying lunch from our vendor
in our Shenandoah campsite--chilly morning!
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Got an RV?
Bring it. Remember, we don't have hook-ups in camp on the 18th in Council Bluffs or the 20th in Shenandoah. But we got 'em in Malvern on the 19th and 21st.
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The Other
Pork Belly Ventures
Trail Ride:
Black Hills Hundred!
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Join us for our South Dakota trail ride with afternoon excursions by train and by coach into the hills, to Custer State Park, to Mt. Rushmore, and to Crazy Horse. The Mickelson Trail is among the most scenic in the country. We still have room for you.
Please check out the Black Hills Hundred, June 25-29, below...
The Black Hills Hundred Invitation!
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Happy New Year, Friends! The winter months will fly by, and come May, we would love the pleasure of your good company on the beautiful Wabash Trace.
Our best wishes,
Tammy and Pete
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Feel The Wabash
To virtually experience rolling on the Wabash Trace, ride along with Pat for a bit. Just click on the image below! (Ignore the ride dates at the end of the video!)
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Pork Belly Ventures LLC
Tammy: 712.328.0161 h, 808-375-8921 c, tammy@pkbelly.com
Pete: 402-681-2613 c, pete@pkbelly.com
www.pkbelly.com
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