7.b) Staff Report-Mn Ironman Bike Ride
STAFF REPORT
Date of Meeting: April 6, 2015
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
49th annual ride. In the past the ride was held in the Lakeville, Buffalo, and Minneapolis areas.
Last year was the second year of the ride in Washington County. This will be the third 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 26, 2015.
The first year, Committee members handed out a two-sided flyer listing Scandia History and
Museums on one side and Scandia businesses on the 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. Last year, staff created a three panel enlarged
poster highlighting Vinterfest, Taco Daze and Scandia’s history and businesses, as well as played
a Power Point presentation about the community. An observation was that most riders just
came to rest and get a snack; there was little attention drawn to the presentation or the
posters.
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 Washington County fairgrounds in Lake Elmo at 6:30
a.m. on April 26. Registration will close at 9:30 a.m. As of March 25, there were 1,597
registered bikers from 12 states and 2 countries. This number is down from previous years.
Effective April 1, the registration fee increased. On April 10, approximately 3,769 households
on the route will receive an informational letter. The loop through Scandia is for folks wishing
to ride 60 miles. The organizers estimate this will bring roughly 2,000 people to Scandia;
though, if there is good weather, that number may nearly double. As with last year, if the
weather is cold, busses will be available for the riders who choose not to finish the route.
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 th e 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 26. 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 Street to the Community Center. After the rest stop, riders will go out on 209 th
to Oakhill to 199th Street 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.