July 2026 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Upcoming Events on the Trail
Save the Date - The Bridge is Back!
Join the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA), Adel Partners, and Dallas
County Conservation as we celebrate the reopening of Adel's iconic lighted bridge
with a community bike ride and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Community Bike Ride: Friday, August 21st
5:00 p.m. – Depart from the Waukee Trailhead
Ride with cyclists from Waukee to Adel as we celebrate the return of this important trail connection.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – Adel Lighted Bridge
Last year's "Bridge Us Back" fundraising ride brought the community together to help
restore this treasured landmark. Thanks to the incredible support of trail users, donors,
volunteers, community leaders, and project partners, the bridge is back!
This celebration marks the reopening of one of the Raccoon River Valley Trail's most
recognizable destinations and the restoration of a key connection for trail users traveling throughout the region.
Additional details—including ride logistics, parking information, and any post-ride
activities—will be announced soon.
Save the date, invite your friends, and plan to join us for this exciting celebration
on Friday, August 21st!
Lighted Bridge Repair in Adel Nearing Completion
Work continues to move forward on the repair and restoration of the iconic lighted bridge in Adel, and the project remains on schedule for an August reopening.
The bridge, which sustained significant damage in a fire last year, is undergoing extensive repairs to restore this important connection on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.Â
Construction crews continue to make steady progress on structural repairs, replacement of damaged decking and railings, and other improvements needed to ensure the bridge meets all safety standards before reopening.
Barring any unforeseen delays, trail users can look forward to the bridge reopening in August, restoring this vital link in the RRVT loop. We appreciate everyone's patience during the closure and look forward to welcoming cyclists, walkers, and runners back across one of the trail's most recognizable landmarks.
Fundraising Continues for Northern Loop Resurfacing Project
Fundraising efforts continue for the planned resurfacing of the northern section of the Raccoon River Valley Trail between Yale, Herndon, and Jefferson. While there are no major updates to report this month, work continues behind the scenes as project partners seek the remaining funding needed to move this important project forward.
Approximately half of the funding required has been secured through the generosity of trail supporters, local governments, businesses, and grant partners. Efforts remain focused on raising the final $2.5 million needed to complete the resurfacing of this 13-mile section of the trail.
This project highlights an ongoing challenge facing trail systems throughout Iowa. Although the state is home to one of the nation's premier trail networks, there is currently no dedicated statewide funding source for major trail maintenance and resurfacing. Counties and local trail organizations must rely on grants, fundraising, and community partnerships to preserve these valuable recreational assets.
The Raccoon River Valley Trail welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and provides lasting recreational, health, tourism, and economic benefits to the communities it serves. Continued investment in maintaining the trail ensures that future generations can enjoy the same high-quality experience that has made the RRVT one of Iowa's premier destinations for outdoor recreation.
We appreciate the continued support of everyone who has contributed to this effort and will share additional updates as fundraising milestones are reached.
Welcome New RRVTA Board Member Kay Bauer
The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is pleased to welcome Kay Bauer to its Board of Directors.
Kay brings a unique blend of healthcare, business, and community experience to the board. A registered nurse for 27 years, she practiced in five states in a variety of clinical, educational, and specialty care settings before transitioning to business ownership.
Today, Kay and her husband, Troy, own and operate Scooter's Coffee locations in Waukee and Perry. Their love of cycling played a role in opening the Waukee location after they realized there was no convenient coffee stop for cyclists riding the trail. The Perry location was also a natural fit, allowing them to ride the trail between their two stores.
Kay and Troy live just a half-mile from the trail in Dallas Center and are frequent riders of the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Kay says the RRVT is one of Iowa's greatest outdoor treasures and believes it plays an important role in tourism, economic development, healthy lifestyles, and connecting communities.
Please join us in welcoming Kay to the RRVTA Board. We look forward to the enthusiasm, experience, and perspective she will bring as we continue working to preserve and promote one of the nation's premier trail systems.
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!
Why a Professional Bike Fit Is Worth Every Penny
The best upgrade for your bike may not be a new bike at all.
When cyclists think about improving their ride, they often consider lighter wheels, better components, or a new bicycle. But ask experienced riders what made the biggest difference in their comfort and performance, and many will give the same answer:
A professional bike fit.Â
Whether you ride 10 miles on a Saturday morning or challenge yourself to complete the entire 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail loop, a properly fitted bicycle can make every ride more comfortable and enjoyable.
What Is a Bike Fit?
A professional bike fit is a personalized adjustment of your bicycle to match your body and riding style. A trained bike fitter evaluates your flexibility, body proportions, riding goals, and pedaling motion before making precise adjustments to your bike.
The objective isn't to make you ride faster—it's to help you ride more comfortably, more efficiently, and with less risk of injury.
Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference
Many riders are surprised that moving a saddle just a few millimeters or making a slight change to the handlebars can dramatically improve comfort.
A bike fit typically includes adjustments to:
Saddle height
Saddle position (forward or backward)
Saddle angle
Handlebar height
Handlebar reach
Cleat position (for clip-in pedals)
These seemingly minor changes can have a major impact on how your bike feels.
Signs Your Bike May Not Fit Properly
A professional bike fit may be worthwhile if you regularly experience:
Knee pain while riding
Neck or shoulder discomfort
Hand numbness or tingling
Lower back pain
Saddle soreness
Foot numbness
Difficulty riding longer distances comfortably
While not every ache is caused by bike fit, many common cycling discomforts can be reduced—or even eliminated—with proper adjustments.
Comfort Means More Miles
A well-fitted bicycle allows you to ride longer with less fatigue.
Instead of constantly shifting in the saddle or stopping to stretch, you'll spend more time enjoying the scenery, visiting trail towns, and riding with family and friends.
Many cyclists say the greatest benefit isn't increased speed—it's simply that they look forward to riding more often.
A Good Fit Can Improve Efficiency
When your bike fits correctly, your body moves more naturally.
Benefits may include:
Smoother pedaling
Better power transfer
Reduced muscle fatigue
Improved climbing and endurance
Greater confidence handling the bike
You may not notice one dramatic change, but you'll likely notice that riding simply feels easier.
Who Should Consider a Bike Fit?
A professional fitting isn't just for competitive cyclists.
It's valuable for:
Riders purchasing a new bicycle
Cyclists preparing for longer rides
Anyone experiencing discomfort
Riders returning to cycling after several years
E-bike riders spending more time in the saddle
Cyclists whose flexibility or physical needs have changed over time
An Investment That Lasts
Unlike many cycling upgrades, a professional bike fit benefits every ride you take. Once your bicycle is properly adjusted, you'll enjoy the results for years.
If you're planning to spend many happy miles on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, a bike fit may be the best investment you can make—not in your bicycle, but in your enjoyment of cycling.
Before Your Next Ride
Ask yourself these questions:
✔ Am I comfortable after the first hour of riding?
✔ Do I experience numbness or pain while riding?
✔ Have I adjusted my bike since I bought it?
✔ Am I riding farther than I did a few years ago?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be time to visit your local bike shop and ask about a professional bike fitting.
Sometimes, the smallest adjustments lead to the biggest improvements
