The December 2014/January 2015 NITC Newsletter is now online

Please click HERE or on the link above to view the latest club newsletter.

Please enter your e-mail address in the "Follow By E-Mail" section to the left of this post if you would like to be alerted any time that new content is posted to this blog.

Ski Clinic at Lime Creek Nature Center on Sat. Jan 31st from 1PM-?

North Iowa Touring Club and Waynes Ski and Cycle is teaming up with Lime Creek Nature Center (MAP) to present a ski clinic during Winter Fest.

The event will take place on Saturday January 31st from 1PM-? at Lime Creek Nature Center. Attendees will have free access to cross country ski equipment and lessons for beginners will be available. If you have questions, please contact Barry Trump at btrump@q.com 

Bring your family and learn how to ski!

RIDE FOR RONALD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014 FOREST CITY, IOWA 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

8 year old Hayden Reynolds, son of Missy and Tony Reynolds, has called a bike ride along Hynes Spur Trail in Pammel Park, Forest City.  Six years ago Hayden stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Minnesota, while his brother, Holden, recovered from surgery.  Hayden has personally donated to the House since.  This year he invites you to donate as he incorporates his love of biking with his appreciation for the services provided by the House.  Ride as you like, play on the playground, enjoy some free snacks, and bring a donation as your entry fee.  You will find a list of things needed by the House on the "Forest City Cycling Club" Facebook page.  Missy participated in the Wisconsin Ironman last month and Tony has participated in several Bicycle Blues & Barbeque events.  For more information, contact:  Missy Reynolds @ 641-251-4754 or reynoldsm@waldorf.edu.

If anyone wishes to donate but is unable to make the ride, I will be happy to come to Mason City Saturday morning to pick up any donated items.  Contact me:  earl@earlwhill.com or 515-851-1039.

I cannot count the times I have sat in a NITC Board meeting when someone asks how can we involve younger people in the great sport of cycling.  Here is an excellent opportunity to encourage this special young man.

Spook Run 5k in Charles City, Oct. 25th @ 9AM

Event: Spook Run 5K

Time: October 25,2014 @ 9:00 AM

Where: Charles City YMCA

800 Hulin St.

CharlesCity,IA 50616

641-228-2254

Preregistration $25 by 10/12/14 (Includes Shirt)

$30 10/13/14 or after

The October/November 2014 NITC Newsletter is now online

Please click HERE or on the link above to view the latest club newsletter.

Please enter your e-mail address in the "Follow By E-Mail" section to the left of this post if you would like to be alerted any time that new content is posted to this blog.

Lime Creek Nature Center’s Timber Trot - Saturday October 4th

The Lime Creek Nature Center’s Timber Trot will be held on Saturday, October 4 at 9 a.m. at the Lime Creek Conservation Area.  Don’t miss this great run on the beautiful trails of Lime Creek!

Registration information can be found here: Registration Flyer

Fox River 2014 Red Heel Run - Saturday October 4th

On Saturday, October 4th, participants will put on their FoxSox performance socks and run or walk 5K or 10K in the fourth annual Red Heel Run. Online registration for the 5k and 10K Red Heel Run is due October 3 at 3pm for runners to reserve their free Fox River performance socks and coupons for further discounts at the sale. Same-day sign-up will be accepted. Visit facebook.com/redheelrun to learn more about the Red Heel Run. 

Registration for the Red Heel 5K Run is $20; for the 10K run, it’s $25. Students 18 and younger get a $5 discount. Prices increase $5 after 9/14/2014. Runners receive a free pair of FoxSox and a $5 discount on a purchase of $20 or more at the sock sale. You can register ONLINE here.

Also new this year: a portion of all registration fees will be donated to the Iowa Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.

REGISTER ONLINE
Red Heel Run on Facebook
Printable Registration Form

NITC Progressive Dinner - Sunday Sept 21st, 2:00PM

Please join us for our annual progressive dinner!

We will park our vehicles at Dave & Virginia Klein’s home at 16 Eastgate Crt.In Clear Lake.

From there we will immediately bike to Art and Nelda Tesar’s home at 40 Venetian Drive for appetizers. 

We will then bike a route and return to the Kleins’ for the traditional beef brisket entrée, followed by another 15 mile route, ending with Virginia’s famous pies.  

We are in for a special treat of the desserts, as Virginia will be assisted by another NITC chef, Mark Dix. The cost is $12.00.  Please RSVP to Phyllis Clark,

phyllisc@wwa-architects.com by Sept. 17. 

The Royal Wentworth Memorial 5k Run/Walk - Saturday Sept 6th 2014

Royal Wentworth was a life-long resident of Mason City, Iowa, and he taught and coached in Mason City schools for 31 years. On September 10, 2012, he died doing something he loved very much—running with his middle school cross country team.

The Royal Run honors Royal, and all proceeds go to the Royal Wentworth Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please come out with us in September 2014 to celebrate Royal’s life and the education and sporting communities in North Iowa.

The race/walk course begins and ends at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, where Royal taught for many years (see below). You can also view the Royal Run course on MapMyRun.com.

For more information and to register, please click The Royal Run
here:

2nd Annual Robert's Run - September 20th

Lace up your running shoes and head to NIACC for the second annual ROBERT'S RUN 4 mile run and 1.4 mile walk!

Location:
NIACC Activity Center (MAP)

Times:
All runners and walkers will check-in between 7:45am and 8:30am at the NIACC Activity Center located on the NIACC campus. The race will begin at 9:00am out front of the Activity Center.

Awards
Medals wil be given to the 1st through 3rd place winners, female and male age group finishers, as follows:

• 19 & Under   • 20 - 29 • 30 - 39 • 40 - 49   • 50 - 59   • 60 & Older

Trophies will be award to the overall male and female race winners.

Amenities
Restrooms and parking will be available at the Recreation Center with refreshments served at the finish line. Runners will also have access to shower facilities, but should plan to bring their own towel.

For information please click here: Robert's Run
Click here to Register online

2014 St John's Classic - Saturday Sept. 6th

The 2014 SJC benefiting the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa is less than two weeks away!  We hope you've got Saturday, September 6 marked on your calendar.  If not, we invite you to join us for a day of riding, food, music and fun.  This year's ride features our classic 22 and 50 mile scenic routes and introduces newly revised 70 and 100 mile century routes.  All feature rolling hills, multiple river crossings, beautiful views, fully stocked rest stops and SAG support.

Your entry includes BBQ pulled pork sandwich lunch.  Live post ride music will again be provided by Zoo Loo Doo and "Sorta Jazz Sextet".

All this is done to further promote North Iowa as a cycling destination and to raise funds for The Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.  BIAI is committed to providing support and advocacy to those affected by brain injury and they will once again be on hand to distribute information and free youth bike helmets till gone.

All of us with the St. John's Classic hope to see you this year.  You can let us know you're coming and save $10 over day of registration by signing up for our event on Active.com today.

You can stay connected help us spread the word by liking us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Classic/267770756671531

Or see our website at
http://saintjohnsclassic.weebly.com

***Goes without saying but, if you've enjoyed our ride in the past or just want to help us reach record registrants, we'd be honored if you'd share this info with your friends and encourage them to try our event.***

Over the years the St. John's Classic has raised thousands of dollars for Brain Injured Iowans and we'd love to make 2014 SJC the largest ever. 

Slippery Saints Mud Run - Saturday August 30th

http://slipperysaintsmudrun.com/Home.html

Please consider Volunteers or consider getting muddy! 

Run a 5k. In the mud. With obstacles.  Just like Mom told you not to do.  The Slippery Saints Mud Run is where the action and adventure is!  With a twist of heavenly good and devilish fun, you have our permission to participate in “Altar Boy’s Revenge”, “The Inquisition”, “The Baptism”, “Dante’s Hell” obstacles and more.  You can ask for forgiveness later.  At the beer tent.

It all happens on Saturday, August 30, 2014. Our mud run is located at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City, Iowa.  So wear your favorite costume if you want, whether it is the devil’s horns or an angelic halo, but be prepared to have fun!  Live band "Stream

of Consciousness" (noon to 3:00 pm) and Mojo's DJ service will be playing music throughout the day at our beer tent.

Support Local Events!  

Ride Around Clear Lake - Saturday August 16th

Saturday, Aug. 16:

Meet at  Lady Bug Restaurant (former Petal Shop) in Clear Lake at 8:00 for breakfast followed by a bike ride around Clear Lake/plus? (MAP)

Please RSVP to phyllisc@wwa-architects.com by Friday so she can make reservations for an approximate number.

The August/September NITC Newsletter is now online

Please click HERE or on the link above to view the latest club newsletter.

Please enter your e-mail address in the "Follow By E-Mail" section to the left of this post if you would like to be alerted any time that new content is posted to this blog.

Pippa Competes the Race Across America (RAM)

Tired but elated, Pippa Middleton (sister of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge) was all smiles yesterday as she completed the Race Across America.

          Pippa, 30, crossed the finish line just after 3am in Annapolis, Maryland, following six days, ten hours, fifty-four minutes and 3,000 miles.

          She was the only woman on the team that also included her brother James. “I was talked into this by most of the boys, and particularly by James,” she stated.  “I found cycling at night quite intimidating. There were a few nights when we came across snakes, skunks and deer.”

          Pippa and her team were raising money for the British Heart Foundation – which has appointed her as an ambassador – and The Michael Matthews Foundation, named after a British adventurer who died in 1999, aged 22, on Mount Everest.  It provides education to children who wouldn't otherwise receive one. 

Cycling - A Royal Affair!

Dateline:  San Diego, California, Saturday, June 14.  Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton, the future queen of England), and their brother, James, are participating in the Race Across America.  They left San Diego, California, Saturday morning (June 14, 2014) on their way to Annapolis, Maryland.  According to news stories, she is the only lady in a four person team.  The closest they will be to our area is Camdenton, Mo.  The Race Across America website estimates the first team of four racers should reach Camdenton on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at midnight. GO PIPPA!

Important Iowa Supreme Court Decision

This morning the Iowa Supreme Court handed down a decision where a cyclist was injured while riding a bicycle on the sidewalk in Iowa City.  She sued the city for failing to maintain a proper sidewalk, the city interplead the State.  Additional details will be forthcoming.

People For Bikes

You might have heard of PeopleForBikes. They are a national movement making riding better for everyone, and they've given us a challenge: if we can get 10,000 bicyclists to become free members of PeopleForBikes, they will give $10,000 to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition on PeopleForBikes Day during RAGBRAI. Seriously. Sign the form at http://www.peopleforbikes.org/page/s/RAGBRAI14, ask a few friends to do the same, and help us make bicycling better for everyone. People For Bikes is a charitable giving foundation funded by the bicycle industry.

PeopleForBikes Day on RAGBRAI will be Wednesday, July 23 - Hump Day in Mason City. Wouldn’t it be great to see that $10,000 check on the stage in downtown Mason City?

Please sign up now!

The August/September NITC Newsletter is now online

Please click HERE or on the link above to view the latest club newsletter.

Please enter your e-mail address in the "Follow By E-Mail" section to the left of this post if you would like to be alerted any time that new content is posted to this blog.

Tour de Pattee

Visit: www.hotelpattee.com 

Courage Ride

Saturday August 23rd; Ride starts at 6:30-7:00AM

1421 540th St. SW Kalona, IA 

The Courage Ride travels over gently rolling hills, past Amish homesteads and over old stagecoach routes. The ride is known for its live music and one-of-a-kind rest stops that feature delicious food and friendly volunteers. There are six different routes, ranging from 16 miles to just over 100 miles. The ride starts at Iowa Mennonite School, 1421 540th St SW, Kalona, Ia., just 15 minutes SW of Iowa City. Registration: $50 prior to Aug. 16, $60 after. Includes breakfast and lunch, sag support and rest stops. Proceeds from the Courage Ride help fund sarcoma cancer research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Last year, over $42,000 was raised. The ride is sponsored by the Bicyclists of Iowa City. For more information or to register, visit: www.courageride.org

1421 540th St SW, Kalona, Ia

NITC Spring Membership Potluck

Sunday May 4th from 5-8PM

Lime Creek Nature Center, Mason City

Please join us for our spring potluck! Please bring your own table service and one to two dishes to pass.  The club will provide apple cider.  Dr. Steve Schurtz will provide a program on the Mason City bike/ped master plan and other local biking news.

NITC GOOD FRIDAY RIDE

Friday April 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
Charles City, IA

Meet at McDonalds Restaurant in Charles City. Ride to Nashua and back to Charles City. Ride Classification: “B” ride. Contact: Bill Neal bill.beckyneal@gmail.com or Bob Krueger r.krueger@mchsi.com or 641-228-7541

NITC TRAIL CLEAN-UP DAY

Saturday April 19 @ 9:00 a.m.Mason City, IA

The sixth bi-annual bike trail (between Mason City and Clear Lake) clean-up. The North Iowa Touring Club cleans the area bounded on the east by the bio-diesel plant and on the west by shelter. Plastic bags provided by Lake Side. Meet at the shelter. This trail is used by all of us and shows the Club’s dedication to keeping our trail clean. Pick up handled by the County. Questions: contact Barry Trump btrump@q.com

Cervello S1 Road bike for sale

Year: 2009
HED Jet Wheels
Ultegra Componets
Size = 56cm
$1700
Contact Jaime Zarate
 (319) 486-3937
jaimon_zarate@mac.com
(Posted by Jay Friday)

Happy Spring..... snowstorm? 

It seems that Mother Nature has not decided what season it needs to be yet this year. We can all hope that the weather begins to cooperate soon as many of us are ready to get outside!

The NITC calendar (link above) has been updated to include many upcoming activities in the north Iowa area. Please take a look at it and explore what our area has to offer. If you have any activities you would like included, please contact the administrator at north.iowa.touring.club@gmail.com.

The latest NITC newsletter has been e-mailed out and is posted above.

-Administrator

Welcome to the new NITC website. 

We have moved to a blog-based website. Please bear with us as we continue to add content and events to this new site.

The temperatures outside have fallen, but that doesn't slow down the activities of the Touring Club.  The avid bicyclists are tuning up and staying in shape at North Iowa Spin's classes. Check out their Facebook site here (NI SPIN) for more information. Classes meet at the Mason City Senior Activities Center (Map) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30PM and Saturdays at 8:30AM.

The braver souls have embraced the cold and snow, donned their skis and snowshoes and headed outside for fun.  When the snow cooperates, the trails at Lime Creek Nature Center and Pilot Knob State Park are kept in great shape for cross county skiing.