Photos Courtesy of Laura Wills Photography
Bacon-loving bike riders rejoice! The inaugural BACooN RIDE will begin and end in Waukee on Saturday, June 28th.
The BACooN RIDE is a 71-mile bike ride along the beautiful Raccoon River Valley Trail System featuring stops for bacon-inspired bites, a bacon-themed lunch and numerous drink specials at establishments along the way. Participants also have the option of joining at other starting points for a shorter ride.
“The BACooN RIDE was inspired by the success of Bacon Fest and seemed like the perfect opportunity to spread its pig wings into a little something more and offer a calorie-neutral event!” said Bacon Fest founder Brooks Reynolds.
The Waukee Fire Department and Iowa Egg Council will fuel riders with bacon and egg tacos before they hit the trail and several other Waukee businesses will be offering specials and activities to support the event.
After departing from Waukee, bikers can stop for bacon breaks in Ortonville, Adel, Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon, Jamaica, Dawson, Perry, Minburn and Dallas Center. Registered riders will receive a punch card (called a “Pass-Pork”) which allows them to pig out on the bacon-inspired bites at each stop, including maple bacon donuts, bacon ice cream, BLT sliders and a hog roast – just to name a few.
Participants must register online prior to the ride as there is no registration the day of the event. The $55 registration fee includes a commemorative pint glass, Pass-Pork, t-shirt and access to the food and entertainment provided along the trail.
Participants can pick up their registration packets on Friday at Centennial Park, and can start their rides at any time after they have checked in on Friday or Saturday, as it is not a mass start ride.
Camping will be available at Centennial Park for registered riders at no charge on Friday and Saturday night, and evening entertainment will be provided to the public on Saturday night at Mickey’s Irish Pub.