An annual bike ride through central Iowa is taking place today that will feature over 1,000 cyclists.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is hosting the 11th BACooN Ride that will travel 71 miles along the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Dallas and Guthrie Counties. The Coalition Executive Director Luke Hoffman tells Raccoon Valley Radio that between 1,500 and 2,500 cyclists normally participate, as there will be 12 stops along the way to serve bacon and act as resting areas. He indicates that there will be a detour in the City of Adel, after a portion of the east side bridge was damaged from a fire started on May 12th. 

Hoffman explains the detour will have riders depart the trail, turn right onto Highway 6, travel up to Prospect Avenue, then turn left to rejoin the trail heading east towards the finishing town of Waukee. With so many cyclists that will be in and out of cities, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante implores drivers to be careful.

“Those uncontrolled intersections are where the dangers occur. But the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, the BACooN people will have a lot of volunteers out there to try and mitigate any traffic issues. Just make sure when you come up to those intersections, you slow down and pay attention to the people that are out there helping.”

Hoffman shares some of the communities the ride will go through include Perry, Minburn, Adel, Redfield, Linden, Dallas Center, and Panora. He emphasizes that most cyclists will finish the ride in the mid to late afternoon.