The Ride Bike Shop

05/27/2026

Hello all, it's time for a change. Thursday Night Gravel will now have changing starting points, mostly nearer to the edge of town, to maximize the good stuff like gravel, dirt, loop trail, less traffic and minimize the in-town traffic experience.

SO PLEASE NOTE THE STARTING POINT IN THE POST AS IT WILL CHANGE WEEK TO WEEK.

This week we start at the Izaak Walton Golf Course parking lot. The Ride with GPS routes reflect this. The routes end there as well and all are welcome to stay for dinner and drinks at the clubhouse, (kitchen closes at 8:30).

We depart at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 28th from the Izaak Walton Golf Course parking lot.

Weather looks great! Warm and sunny.

Come join us for some fun on wheels,
Mark of The Ride...

p.s. We depart at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 28th from the Izaak Walton Golf Course parking lot.

The Routes: 14.9, 19 and 34.7 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55354110

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55354166

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55354276

05/20/2026

Hello all, come join us for another edition of Thursday Night Gravel. The weather will be mild so you can ride hard without working up a lather. Time to start building those miles in preparation for the season's riding events.

We depart The Ride... at 123 N. Court St. at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 21st.

See ya',
Mark of The Ride...

The Routes: 23.8 and 36.4 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55234792

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55234807

05/13/2026

Hello all, come join us for a bike ride! The weather looks great for Thursday Night Gravel. Time for some dirt road getaway riding, especially for the longer routes.

We depart The Ride... at 123N. Court St. at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 14th. We'll end the ride at The Mad Hatters for dinner and drinks. Join us if you can.

Remember, it's all about the ride so have a good one.

Mark of The Ride...

The routes: 14.3, 21.5 and 34.3 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55114548

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55098966

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55098910

05/06/2026

Our Naturalist, Austin, and Mark of The Ride Bike Shop added some planks to the crossings on the Whitham Woods single-track trail this afternoon!

05/06/2026

Hello all! As my kids say when they're littles: Ride, ride!

Weather looks good for Thursday Night Gravel tomorrow evening!

We depart The Ride... at 123 N. Court St. at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 7th.

Don't forget: Iowa Gravel Series first race, The Kalona Horseshoe, is this Saturday. https://iowagravelseries.com/kalona/

See ya',
Mark of The Ride...

The Routes: 13.6, 23.4 and 32.9 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54879924

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54879891

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54879952

05/05/2026

Hello all! Scavenge much? We'll, you're in luck as the 2026 Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Jefferson County Trails Council has started early this year. So you have even more time to get out and enjoy the Fairfield Loop Trail and, yes, SCAVENGE!

Punch cards available at trail kiosks and The Ride Bike Shop. Turn in completed punch cards at aforementioned bike shop by Friday, July 3rd to be eligible for the prize drawing.

See you on the trails,
Mark of The Ride...

04/30/2026

Hello all, no Thursday Night Gravel this week. I don't want to be responsible for sending you out in weather that will only bring you home churlish and hangry. God only knows the potential repercussions of that.

On a brighter note, head up Hwy. 1 a piece the weekend next for the maiden voyage/opening salvo of the Iowa Gravel Series: The Kalona Horseshoe! Rub shoulders with the gravel illuminati, (whatever that is), and exhaust yourself on the hills and valleys of the English River watershed. Keep a sharp eye out for a 32" wheel rig, the next 'it' thing in an industry that keeps falling for the next 'it' thing. Hell, show up on a penny farthing! With the right 'panache' you'll start a trend.

The link: https://iowagravelseries.com/kalona/, a guaranteed good time!

See ya' next Thursday!

Mark of The Ride...

Kalona is more than just the “quilt capital of Iowa”. It has a deep and long legacy of fantastic gravel roads to travel.

04/29/2026

Hello all, with the recent weather forecast update I'm going to delay calling a ride until tomorrow morning. If that's a little tight for your schedule, no worries we'll see you next week.

Mark of The Ride...

04/22/2026

Hello all, nice weather tomorrow and the rain should hold off so we can get a ride in. 2 routes this week. A shorter one if you're still building your base and a longer one that isn't too long to torture.

We depart The Ride... at 123 N. Court St. at 5:30pm on Thursday, April 23rd. All are welcome. Please wear helmets and use your lights and flashers.

See ya',
Mark of The Ride...

2 Routes: 13.3 and 25.3 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54773434

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54773557

04/14/2026

Hello all, prepare for the return of Thursday Night Gravel! Weather looks perfect for a ride! Since a lot of us haven't put in many miles yet let's start with easy and familiar, but still a great ride: The Fairfield Loop Trail. If the whole loop is too much you can peel off and be home in a matter of minutes and it sure is pretty this time of year. A reminder that the shop is back on full time hours, (10-5 Tuesday-Saturday).

We depart The Ride... at 123 N. Court St. at 5:30pm on Thursday, April 16th.

I look forward to catching up with you all,
Mark of The Ride...