7.a) Staff Report-Mn Ironman Bike Ride
STAFF REPORT
Date of Meeting: March 3, 2014
To: Parks and Recreation Committee
From: Judi Negus, Office Assistant
Regarding: Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride
Background:
The Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride (MIBR) has been managed since 1967 by Hostelling
International USA – Minnesota Council, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit charitable organization devoted
to promoting healthy recreation, international travel and cultural exchange. The Minnesota
Council was established in 1955 by a core of cyclists and travelers. They operate the Mississippi
Headwaters Hostel in Itasca State Park.
MIBR is considered the Season Opener cycling event for the upper Midwest. This will be the
48th annual ride. In the past the ride was held in the Lakeville, Buffalo, and Minneapolis areas.
Last year was the first year of the ride in Washington County. This will be the second year of the
ride in the St. Croix valley area but typically they stay in one location for about ten years before
moving on. Roughly one-half to one-third of the annual riders are repeat riders from previous
years. The ride will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2014.
Last year, Committee members handed out a two-sided flyer listing Scandia History and
Museums on one side and Scandia Businesses on t he other side to riders during the stop at the
Community Center. It was observed that very few riders took any materials with them and
many that did threw them away once outside.
Issue:
Should the Parks and Recreation Committee have a presence at this event to promote the City?
Proposal Details:
Similar to last year, the ride begins at the fairgrounds in Lake Elmo at 6:30 a.m. on April 27 th.
Registration will close at 9:30 a.m. The loop through Scandia is for folks wishing to ride 58
miles. The organizers estimate this will bring roughly 2,000 people to Scandia, though if there is
good weather like last year that number may nearly double. The Community Center is serving
as the rest stop. Given the 6:30 - 9:30 a.m. registration, it is estimated that riders will be
showing up at the Community Center beginning at 8 a.m. and should be finished by 1 p.m.
Volunteers willing to help with the rest stop will be needed from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on April 27th. The Scandia Marine Lions have expressed an interest in volunteering to staff the
rest stop.
The route through Scandia goes north on Manning Ave, east on TH 97, southeast on Oakhill to
Olinda to 209th St to the Community Center. After the rest stop, riders will go out on 209 th to
Oakhill to 199th St and then head south on TH 95.
Options:
The Committee could consider ways to promote our community using videos and/or Power
Point presentations, putting posters up in the bathroom stalls a nd/or hallways or on table tops
during the event.
Committee members could limit their involvement and contact Lion Bill Jabas if they wish to
volunteer during the event.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact.