March 2026 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter

Tickets Now on Sale: Join Us for RRVTA's 20th Anniversary Banquet

Tickets are now on sale for the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA) Annual Fundraising Banquet, and this year’s event will be especially meaningful as we celebrate 20 years of volunteer leadership and support for the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

A highlight of this year’s celebration will be the presentation of the Trail Champion Award to Chuck Offenburger, the well-known Iowa journalist, storyteller, and advocate for rural communities. Chuck’s lifelong work celebrating Iowa’s people and places has helped shine a spotlight on the importance of trails, small towns, and outdoor recreation across the state.

The banquet brings together trail supporters from across central Iowa for an evening of community, storytelling, and connection among people who share a passion for the trail. Proceeds from the event help support trail amenities, safety initiatives, outreach, and long-term sustainability across the 14 communities connected by the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Featured Speaker

Matt Phippen

We are excited to welcome Matt Phippen, Director of RAGBRAI, as this year’s featured speaker. Matt will share insights on Iowa’s legendary cycling culture, the impact of cycling tourism, and the role trails like the Raccoon River Valley Trail play in building vibrant and healthy communities.

Emcee

Jason Sydeko

Returning as emcee is Jason Sydeko, whose energy and enthusiasm will guide us through the evening’s program.

Honoring Chuck Offenburger

During the banquet, we will formally present the Trail Champion Award to Chuck Offenburger, recognizing his long-standing commitment to Iowa’s communities and his ability to tell the stories that connect people to places like the Raccoon River Valley Trail. His work has helped highlight the value of rural communities, outdoor recreation, and the people who make these places thrive.

Auctions & Trail Community

Guests will also enjoy both silent and live auctions, featuring unique Iowa experiences and items. Popular packages such as Iowa and Iowa State football experiences, Drake Relays tickets, and other special offerings will be part of the evening’s fundraising activities.

Most importantly, the banquet is an opportunity for trail users, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters to gather, celebrate the trail’s success, and connect with others who share a passion for cycling and outdoor recreation.

We invite trail users, supporters, and friends to join us for this special 20-year celebration of the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Event Details

RRVTA 20th Anniversary Banquet

📅 Saturday, April 11, 2026

📍 Country Lane Lodge – Adel, Iowa

Schedule

Social Hour: 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Dinner: 5:30 – 6:15 PM

Program & Live Auction: 6:15 – 8:00 PM

Featured Speaker

Matt Phippen, Director of RAGBRAI

Emcee

Jason Sydeko

Tickets

$50 – Individual Ticket

$500 – Table of 8

The evening includes dinner, presentation of the Trail Champion Award, and both silent and live auctions.

TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED HERE

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100% of proceeds support RRVT

PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL

New RRVTA Bike Jerseys Now Available

Show your trail pride and support the Raccoon River Valley Trail with the new RRVTA bike jerseys, now available at Bike World locations throughout the Des Moines metro.

These jerseys aren’t just great-looking and trail-ready — they’re also a meaningful way to give back. Proceeds from jersey sales directly support the work of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, helping promote, enhance, and advocate for the 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail and the 14 communities it connects.

As the riding season begins to pick up this spring, there’s no better way to represent one of Iowa’s most iconic trails than by wearing an RRVTA jersey on your next ride.

Supplies are limited, so stop by Bike World and get yours today — and help keep the trail strong for years to come.

Long-Sleeve RRVT Shirts Now Available!

Looking for a great way to show your trail pride — and stay warm on those cool spring and fall rides?

Long-sleeve Raccoon River Valley Trail shirts are now available for $35 at the following locations:

• Minburn Convenience Store – Minburn• B&B Marketplace – Panora

• Kyle’s Bike Shop- Waukee

Every shirt purchase directly supports the work of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, helping fund trail amenities, outreach, and special projects across our 14 trail communities.

Whether you're logging miles on a crisp morning ride or enjoying coffee after a ride with friends, this is a simple and meaningful way to support the RRVT.

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Celebrate Trails Day Ride

Perry to Minburn – April 25

Join us on Celebrate Trails Day for a spring ride on one of Iowa’s premier trail systems — the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Forest Park Museum in Perry, where participants can enjoy self-guided tours of the museum along with free health and wellness screenings provided by medical professionals from Dallas County Hospital and Clinics.

At 11:00 a.m., riders will gather for brief remarks from Scott Sumpter of Bike Iowa, followed by a group ride departing from Perry.

Cyclists will ride to Minburn and back, a 12-mile round-trip ride along one of the most scenic stretches of the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Once in Minburn, riders are encouraged to stop and enjoy refreshments at local establishments including Hwy 169 American Café & Watering Hole, El Rincon Tapatio, Mudders, and the Minburn Market convenience store.

All registered participants will receive a free commemorative koozie.

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or simply looking for a fun way to get outside this spring, the Celebrate Trails Day Ride is a great opportunity to ride the trail, explore local history, and connect with fellow trail enthusiasts.

We hope you’ll join us for this fun and relaxing spring event on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

🎟 Registration is now open.

TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED HERE

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10 Surprising Facts About the Raccoon River Valley Trail

Little-known facts about one of Iowa’s premier trail systems

The Raccoon River Valley Trail is one of the most popular trails in Iowa, drawing riders, walkers, and visitors from across the country. But even longtime trail users may not know some of the unique facts that make the RRVT special.

Here are ten surprising things about the trail.

1. It’s a National Hall of Fame Trail

The RRVT has been inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame, a recognition reserved for some of the most outstanding rail-trails in the United States. Only 38 trails nationwide have received this honor.

2. The Longest Paved Loop Trail in the Country

At 89 miles, the RRVT is the longest continuous paved trail loop in the United States. The loop design allows riders to complete a long-distance ride without retracing their route.

3. It Connects 14 Communities

The trail links fourteen towns across central Iowa: Adel, Waukee, Dallas Center, Minburn, Perry, Dawson, Jamaica, Jefferson, Yale, Panora, Linden, Herndon, Cooper and Redfield.Each community offers unique stops for food, rest, and exploration.

4. The Corridor Is More Than 100 Years Old

Much of the trail follows railroad routes first built in the late 1800s to move agricultural products across Iowa.

5. Three Counties Work Together to Maintain It

The RRVT spans Dallas, Greene, and Guthrie counties, and their conservation boards collaborate to maintain and manage the trail year-round.

6. The Loop Was Completed in 2013

While sections of the trail opened earlier, the final segment connecting Jefferson and Waukee was completed in 2013, creating the continuous loop riders enjoy today.

7. It’s Part of One of the Best Trail Regions in the Midwest

In Perry, the RRVT connects with the High Trestle Trail, home to the famous High Trestle Bridge. Through its eastern connection to the Clive Greenbelt Trail, the RRVT also links directly into the Des Moines metro trail system.

Together these connections give riders access to 200+ miles of interconnected paved trails across central Iowa — making it possible to ride from rural river valleys to the heart of the Des Moines metro almost entirely on trails.

8. The Trail Was One of Iowa’s Early Rail-Trail Success Stories

When the first segments opened in 1989, rail-trails were still a relatively new idea. The RRVT quickly became a model for other trail projects across the state.

9. It Crosses Multiple Rivers and Scenic Valleys

As its name suggests, the trail follows the Raccoon River valley, providing riders with scenic views of river corridors, farmland, and wooded landscapes.

10. It Attracts Riders from Across the Country

Each year, thousands of visitors travel to central Iowa specifically to ride the RRVT. The trail has become an important tourism asset, helping support local restaurants, shops, and lodging in the communities along the route.

Next time you ride the RRVT, remember you’re traveling along a corridor with more than a century of history — and one of the most celebrated trail systems in the country.