August 2026 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter

Upcoming Events on the Trail

The Bridge is Back – Join Us for a Community Celebration Ride

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, in partnership with Dallas County Conservation and the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce, invites everyone to the Bridge is Back Ride on Friday, August 21, celebrating the reopening of the lighted bridge over the Raccoon River in Adel.  The event also celebrates the restoration of a key connection on the nation's longest paved loop trail, making it easier than ever for riders to once again enjoy the full RRVT experience.

Now, we're excited to gather once again—not to raise money, but to celebrate!

The ride will begin at 5:00 p.m. from the Waukee Trailhead. Riders will travel approximately 7 miles to Adel, arriving in time for a 6:00 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the bridge. Following the ceremony, participants are encouraged to visit one of Adel's many restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shop, or other local businesses to enjoy refreshments and celebrate with fellow cyclists before returning to Waukee at their own pace or making other transportation arrangements.

The celebration also offers riders another reason to be excited. During the bridge closure, Dallas County Conservation completed the resurfacing of the trail from Ortonville to Adel with a new concrete surface. Because the bridge has been closed for more than a year, many cyclists haven't had the opportunity to experience this newly improved section of trail. The Bridge is Back Ride is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a smoother ride while seeing firsthand the investments being made to keep the Raccoon River Valley Trail one of America's premier rail-trails.

 We're also pleased to welcome Jason Parkin, Chief Meteorologist at WHO 13, as our celebrity host. Jason also served as host for last year's fundraising ride, and we're

delighted to have him back as we celebrate this exciting milestone.

There is no charge to participate, but we do ask that riders register in advance so we can plan for attendance and refreshments. Whether you rode in last year's fundraiser, have patiently waited for the bridge to reopen, or simply want to be part of a memorable evening on the trail, we hope you'll join us.

The reopening of the Adel bridge restores a vital link in the nation's longest paved loop trail and marks another exciting chapter in the ongoing story of the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, August 21

• Ride Begins: 5:00 p.m. – Waukee Trailhead

• Ribbon Cutting: 6:00 p.m. – Lighted Bridge, Adel

• Cost: Free (registration requested)

• Registration: https://www.raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/event-details/the-bridge-is-back-community-ride-ribbon-cutting

Come celebrate with us as we officially say... The Bridge is Back!

Ride Across America—Right Here on the Raccoon River Valley Trail

This fall, the Raccoon River Valley Trail will become part of a once-in-a-lifetime national celebration.

To commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) is organizing a relay across the United States, connecting communities from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. The relay will travel through Iowa September 26–October 5, and on Monday, September 28, it will make its way onto the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

The September 28 stage begins at 8:30 a.m. at Albert the Bull Park in Audubon and concludes at Adel City Hall, covering 74.6 miles by bicycle.

After leaving Audubon, riders will travel on quiet paved roads to Coon Rapids, where a community welcome is planned. From there, the route heads east until it joins the Raccoon River Valley Trail. 

The relay then follows the RRVT through Yale, Panora, Linden, Redfield, and Adel, giving riders an opportunity to experience the scenic beauty, welcoming communities, and hospitality that have made the RRVT one of the nation's premier rail-trails. Along the way, participants will find food and refreshments in several trail towns before finishing in Adel. 

We Need Iowa Riders!

The American Discovery Trail is looking for volunteers to help complete the Audubon-to-Adel segment. The best part? No one has to ride all 74.6 miles.

Individuals, friends, cycling clubs, or RRVT riding groups can ride whatever distance they're comfortable with. You might choose to ride from Coon Rapids to Yale, Yale to Panora, Panora to Redfield, Redfield to Adel, or even the entire route. Riders simply pass the relay from one group to the next, ensuring the journey continues across America.

This is a unique opportunity for RRVT supporters to welcome visitors to our trail while becoming part of a national event celebrating America's 250th birthday.

Whether you're looking for a leisurely morning ride or an all-day adventure, we encourage RRVT members and friends to consider participating.

If you're interested in riding all or part of the September 28 Audubon-to-Adel stage, here is the link to do so.  Iowa is in the ADT Northern Region.  

SIGN UP HERE

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RAGBRAI Riders Discover the Raccoon River Valley Trail

When RAGBRAI rolled through Iowa last month, something interesting happened.

Although the official RAGBRAI route took riders from Panora to Perry on local roads, nearly 1,000 cyclists chose a different path—they rode the Raccoon River Valley Trail instead.

Trail counter data indicates that approximately 1,000 riders used the RRVT during the event. Many riders discovered what local cyclists have known for years: the RRVT offers a safe, scenic, and enjoyable ride for traveling between communities.

Events like RAGBRAI also highlight the tremendous economic potential of the trail. Cyclists who stop for breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages, or overnight stays support local businesses and strengthen the economies of our trail communities.

To everyone who discovered the RRVT during RAGBRAI—we hope you enjoyed the ride and will come back to explore the entire 89-mile loop. There's always another town to visit, another great meal to enjoy, and another memorable ride waiting on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

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100% of proceeds support RRVT

PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL

Show Your Trail Pride with RRVT Apparel

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is excited to offer a growing lineup of RRVT apparel—perfect for riding, relaxing, and showing your trail pride wherever you go.

Our custom RRVT cycling jerseys are now available through Bike World locations across the Des Moines metro. Designed for both comfort and performance, these jerseys are a great way to stand out on the trail while supporting the ongoing promotion and enhancement of the RRVT.

In addition, long-sleeve RRVT shirts are available and have quickly become a favorite among trail users—perfect for cooler rides or casual wear.

RRVT Apparel Options

Cycling Jerseys

Available at Bike World locations (Des Moines metro)

Long-Sleeve RRVT Shirts

 Available at select trail-town locations, including:

• Minburn Convenience Store

• B&B Marketplace in Panora

• Kyle’s Bike Shop in Waukee

We’re continuing to explore new ways to make RRVT merchandise more accessible by partnering with local businesses along the trail.

Every purchase helps support the work of the RRVTA—from maintaining and promoting the trail to enhancing the experience for the thousands of people who use it each year.

So whether you’re riding the full loop or just enjoying a short trip between towns, gear up, show your support, and wear the trail with pride!

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Women in Cycling: More Women, More Miles, More Leadership

Take a look around the Raccoon River Valley Trail on any pleasant weekend, and you'll notice something exciting—more women are riding than ever before.

Whether it's mothers introducing their children to cycling, friends enjoying a weekend ride, retirees exploring Iowa's scenic countryside, or women training for RAGBRAI, female cyclists are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the cycling community. Across Iowa and the nation, women are not only riding in greater numbers but are also taking on leadership roles as ride organizers, club leaders, advocates, and volunteers.

One reason for this growth is simple: trails provide a comfortable place to ride.

Unlike busy highways, paved trails such as the RRVT offer wide paths, scenic landscapes, frequent trail towns, and fewer interactions with vehicle traffic. Research consistently shows that safe, connected trail systems encourage more women and families to choose cycling as a regular recreational activity.

Another important factor is community. Many women say they first joined a group ride because a friend invited them. Before long, those rides become regular outings filled with conversation, encouragement, and shared experiences. Cycling becomes about much more than exercise—it's about friendships, confidence, and discovering new places together.

The RRVT offers the perfect setting for those experiences. With 89 miles of paved trail connecting 14 welcoming communities, riders can choose a leisurely afternoon ride, an all-day adventure, or simply meet friends for coffee before heading back home. The trail's loop design also makes planning rides easy without worrying about transportation at the finish.

Women are also making a difference behind the scenes. Across Iowa, they serve on nonprofit boards, organize charity rides, advocate for safer cycling, and help introduce the next generation to life on two wheels. Their leadership continues to strengthen Iowa's cycling community and inspire others to get involved.

As we celebrate the growth of cycling, we're also celebrating the people who make trails vibrant and welcoming. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or thinking about your very first ride, there's never been a better time to discover the Raccoon River Valley Trail.