Still time to "Tour the Raccoon"

Courtesy of Raccoon River Valley Trail Association:

Registration for "Tour the Raccoon" is open until midnight, June 8 -- you don't want to miss this 2-day ride.

Don't miss this fun 2-day ride -- the Des Moines Cycle Club’s second annual Tour the Raccoon, a fully-supported ride that is the largest event of the year on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

The June 12-13 ride will use the 56-mile-long trail on both days — with the riders rolling from Waukee to Jefferson on Saturday, camping overnight, then riding the trail back to Waukee on Sunday. Just like last year, the riders will be arriving in Jefferson during the town’s big annual celebration, the Bell Tower Festival, with a full day and night of entertainment, food, music and other fun.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest and everything is running very smooth so far,” said Danny Kruzic, of West Des Moines, the president of the DMCC. “Our goal is 250 riders this year.”

Online registration is $50 and is open until midnight June 8 and can be done by credit card on the club’s Internet site, which you can access at www.dmcycleclub.com.

On the Saturday the ride begins, you can register for $60, in cash or by check, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the ride’s tour’s starting point, which is Eason Elementary School in Waukee.

Participants will be able to leave their motor vehicles at the school overnight. The fee covers ride arrangements, maps, a commemorative bandana, luggage hauling and, in Jefferson, free camping, showers and breakfast for all registered participants.

Thanks for your support as members of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Follow us at www.raccoonrivervalleytrail.org.