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(Adel, IA) --The eleventh annual summer Bacoon Ride has announced a route change due to a fire that severely damaged the historic Adel Bridge.
“So the detour itself is small, but the specific bridge that was impacted was the only functional bridge to keep everyone on the trail. That is a significant detour to spill people out onto the road,” said Luke Hoffman, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
The 71-mile cycling event will now detour onto Highway 6. Organizers are working with the Iowa DOT to ensure the safety of the 1,500 registered riders who now have to split onto the highway. The event has partnered with the Iowa DOT and State Patrol to ensure biker safety throughout the entire route.
Even if people aren’t registered to bike the route, they can still participate in the fun.
Three teens have been arrested and accused of starting the fire that damaged the bridge. This year’s event is Hogwarts-themed and will feature a variety of bacon-flavored food and beverages.
“It changes every year, but we’ve done a bacon donut with bacon bits on it or a Bloody Mary with bacon—those types of items,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman said many people still come out and enjoy the festivities, making it an event for the entire family, even if they don’t feel like biking miles and miles. A portion of the registration fee will go to Dallas County Conservation.
The bridge sustained extensive damage and has been deemed unusable by Dallas County Conservation. The fire was caused by three teenagers who built a bonfire beneath the bridge. All three have been arrested and charged by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.
The event will be held June 14.