Raccoon River Valley Trailhead in Jefferson

A fundraiser event on Saturday is slated to help with a special project on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

Local bicycle advocate from Jefferson, Jamie Daubendiek, says the Pave the Way will allow bicyclists to ride from the Trailhead in Jefferson, next to the Milwaukee Depot, along the trail to Cooper and back, with the event from 9:30am-1:30pm. He notes that the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is organizing the fundraiser, with all proceeds to be donated toward their repaving project. 

Daubendiek points out that money is raised to resurface a 14-mile stretch on the trail, from Winkleman’s Switch in Greene County to Yale in Guthrie County. According to RRVTA, this portion was originally paved in 1998 and is now due for a replacement. The association notes that food and drink options are available in Jefferson and while there are no services in Cooper, public restroom facilities will be open during the fundraiser ride. 

Registration fees are $25 per person and Daubendiek adds that if people don’t want to do the ride, but still want to contribute toward the project, they can simply sign up for the ride and not participate. Greene County Conversation Director Tanner Scheuermann says they are about half-way to their goal of the $4 million project. Click here to sign up.