Ready to ride

RAGBRAI may be over but cyclists are still rocking the trails at the 10th annual Pedaler’s Jamboree. With a pre-party starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Cadillac Jack’s, 106 N. Main St. in Baxter, riders have a full weekend of music and fun as they take in the scenic view of the Chichaqua Valley Trail.

“We will have food vendors from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday night and from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Cadillac Jacks will also have a band Friday night,” organizer Gennypher Popenhagen said. “All vendors will be set up behind the bar by the caboose.”

Pedaler’s Jamboree is a music festival for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. Founded by Iowa native and self-described RAGBRAI lover Mike Denehy, the first Jamboree took place 10 years ago in Missouri. As the event grew, Denehy decided to return to Iowa and bring the bike ride music festival to his home state.

After kicking off events in Baxter Friday, cyclists will depart between 9 and 11 a.m. Aug. 25 from the Neil Seals Sports Complex in Baxter, near the CVT trail head. Overnight packs can be checked in at that time, leaving the weekend for a relaxing bike ride, music and most importantly, fun.

According to the event’s website, the trail encompasses a wide range of landscapes, from wooded stretches, prairies, rivers and farmland. Riders can stop at their own convenience at a handful of locations to enjoy live music and entertainment. Bands will play throughout the day in communities across the trail.

Among those bands are The Burney Sisters and Courtney Krause, who will be in Ira at 9:30 and 11 a.m. respectively. In Mingo, The Thunderhill Family Orchestra will go on stage at noon followed by The Kay Brothers at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., Molly Gene will perform in Valeria before cyclists make their way to the overnight stop in Bonderant. Gates open at 5 p.m. at the sports complex in Bonderant with entertainment, including A Ferocious Jungle Cat, The Crane Wives and Seratones, beginning at 6 p.m. The official after party starts at 11 p.m. at Reclaimed Rails and Founders Bar.

Sunday morning starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast at Lake Petoka before riders start the trip back to Baxter. In Valeria, Aaron Earl Short will perform at 9 a.m. followed by Brother Trucker at 10:30 a.m. in Mingo. At noon, the Ducharme-Jones band will take the stage in Ira, with King of the Tramps following at 1:30 p.m. To conclude the Jamboree, Cadillac Jacks will be open and waiting with food and entertainment for all.

“Last year we had about 1,100 riders in Baxter Saturday morning, and we are hoping for Ped Jam to grow this year,” Popenhagen said. “It is always exciting to get a big crowd in Baxter. It really gives us an opportunity to showcase what a beautiful small town we have with that touch of small town Iowa hospitality. I love seeing all the riders out ready to enjoy the wonderful trail we have. It is really great seeing how excited the community is and all of their support for events like this.”

For tickets, registration and more information on Pedaler’s Jamboree go to pedalersjamboreeiowa.com.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com