Chichaqua Valley Trail celebrates 30 years

BAXTER — Pedalers around the state of Iowa ventured out on the Chichaqua Valley Trail Saturday and Sunday during the Pedaler’s’s Jamboree bike ride and music festival.

Celebrating 30 years, the Pedaler’s Jamboree is for cyclists and music lovers. Iowa native and self-described RAGBRAI lover, Mike Denehy, who began the Jamboree nine years ago in Missouri, founded it. The event grew to 3,000 riders and in 2015, Denehy returned to Iowa bringing the bike ride music festival to his home state.

Some bicyclists camped out in Baxter Friday night following the kick-off party at Cadillac Jack’s as they anticipated the official send-off at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Around 1,000 riders traveled from concert to concert with stages in Baxter, Ira, Mingo and Valeria, before ending the day at the main stage in Bondurant. The ride then hit each town on a return route to Baxter with music, food and drinks along the CVT.

“We had at least 1,000 riders coming from six different states,” Gennypher Popenhagen Baxter Hometown Committee chairperson said.

By 2 p.m., hundreds were stopped in Mingo and partaking in food, drinks and listening to The Maytags rock the stage. Some were stopped for a short rest, while others were camped out in lawn chairs or laid out on blankets.

David and Heidi French, of Pleasant Hill, sat on a three-wheel bicycle for two, and enjoyed a much-needed break. The couple headed out from Baxter that morning for their first jamboree experience.

Heidi French said they have been biking for the last four years as a relaxing hobby.

“It’s awesome and a great time,” Heidi French said. “We learned about the event through a biking association we are a part of.”

The French’s said they plan to ride the trail again after the event.

Some peddlers were more familiar with the trail like Shawn Prendergast, of Newton. Prendergast said he has participated in the jamboree event since its inception.

Along with his expertise in the Chichaqua Valley Trail, Prendergast is also a 16-year participant of RAGBRAI.

“I know about 200 people here,” Prendergast said. “It’s a great experience if you haven’t been out here and done this.”

As the event wrapped up Sunday evening, Popenhagen said it was wonderful to have such an amazing and fun event in Baxter.

“We nearly doubled in population Saturday morning,” Popenhagen said. “It was so neat seeing all riders out and all the community members out and supporting the riders and our local vendors.”

Popenhagen said she hopes to bring the Pedaler’s Jamboree back next year.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com