Thousands of bicyclists rolled into Perry Saturday as they made their way along the Raccoon River Valley Trail in the third annual Baccoon Ride, a celebration of Iowa’s leading livestock commodity.
The Perry Police and Street departments posted signs and closed streets in a portion of downtown Perry for the sake of the safety and orderly transportation of the bikers, who began arriving around midday and continued passing through until late afternoon.
The 72-mile trek started and ended in Waukee, with numerous towns along the trail offering cyclists a wide variety of bacon-themed stops, including lunch and drink specials.
The event was produced by RAGBRAI, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. All proceeds from registration fees benefit the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, RAGBRAI’s Dream Team and an assortment of Iowa charities.
The Hotel Pattee in Perry, one of the event’s sponsors, hosted musical guests Home Grown Tomatoes again this year and also offered smoothies, bacon s’mores and other swine-centered novelties.
Along the route, registered riders used their so-called Passpork punch card, entitling them to bacon snacks and samples at nine different official bacon stops, including in Dawson, Minburn and Perry.
Road crossings along the route were closely monitored during the event, and motorists were encouraged to be alert for bicyclists along the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Dallas County EMS responded about 4 p.m. to one cyclist mishap south of Perry, where a fall resulted in a possible broken arm.
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