Gravel Iowa River Greenbelt Ride
Saturday, May 30 @ 10AM. Eldora.
More details & route links at - bit.ly/GIRG2026
Come enjoy a scenic gravel road bike ride along the Iowa River Greenbelt. Distance options from 25 - 100 miles. All are welcome - Come ride a few hours or ride all day. Ride starts/ends outside the Firehouse Saloon & Grill in Eldora (opens at 11, but there is a Casey's' across the road if you need anything before the ride).
Routes/Distances - 25, 40, 62, or 100 miles
All route distances are all together the first 15 miles. The routes are mostly gravel roads, but include some paved road, paved trail through Pine Lake State Park, a grassy level C road, and the 100 mile route finishes with a little bit of the Iowa Rivers Edge Trail back into Eldora. All distances are together the first 15 miles.
The ride semi-officially starts at 10AM, but feel free to start earlier or later if wanted. *If you’re planning on the 100 and want to get an earlier start / maybe hang out with other riders afterwards at the Firehouse, I’d recommend 8AM as a start time for the 100 milers in case some riders want to get together for that.*
Entry fee / donation - The House of Compassion in Marshalltown serves those in need, and they were very grateful for the supplies and funds donated in GIRGs past, so the optional-but-recommended "entry fee" is the same...bring a couple items from the list here to put in the tub near the ride's start, and they'll be delivered to the HOC Supply Closet. (Credit to my daughter for this idea, as GIRG II went by the Twister House the fall after a tornado tore through Marshalltown, and she thought it would be a good idea to have the ride also be a supply drive for that area, so we’ve just kept it going each GIRG since then).
Current needs: Toiletry and household supplies, ie: toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, garbage bags, body wash, shampoo, hand soaps, dish soap, laundry soap, tooth paste, denture cream, shaving cream, men's/women's deodorant, diapers for both children and adults, feminine products, pain relievers, band-aids, hand lotion, light bulbs, batteries, etc.
Food/Drink - The 40-mile passes by the Gingersnap Convenience Store in Union. The 62 and 100 mile routes pass by Woody's Roadhouse (bar) and a Casey's in Albion during mile 32, the Gingersnap in Union during mile 48, and the 100 mile passes by a convenience store (Kwik Star) in Iowa Falls during mile 80.
Camping Options
The closest camping is at Pine Lake State Park or Pine Ridge (west edge of Steamboat Rock)
You are Responsible for You
There is no registration, no cost, no official ride lead/sweep, and the ride is fully self-supported / no SAG services. The organizer of the GIRG Ride is compensated through good vibes and the enjoyment that comes from hanging out with gravel-people on a long dirty fun ride. Each rider is considered to be on a private excursion and remains solely responsible for him/herself and any accidents in which he or she may be involved. You should also pull off to the side and stop if any large agricultural vehicles/equipment pass by in either direction.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Eldora, Music events in Eldora.
