7.e) Staff Report-MN Ironman Bicycle Ridec
SCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: March 4, 2013
To: Park and Recreation Committee
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride
Agenda Item #: 7.e)
Background:
At the February meeting there was a brief mention of the Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride (MIBR)
coming through Scandia on Sunday, April 28h. Some committee members asked for additional
information.
The MIBR has been managed since '67 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.
The marks Ironman and Ironwoman are used with the permission of the World Triathlon
Corporation. However, the Minnesota Ironman® Bicycle Ride is not sponsored by or in any way
affiliated with the World Triathlon Corporation.
MIBR is considered the Season Opener cycling event for the upper Midwest. This will be the
47t11 annual ride. For the previous ten years the ride was held in the Lakeville area and in Buffalo
and Minneapolis prior to that. This will be the first 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 begins at the fairgrounds in Lake Elmo at 6:30am on April 28th. Registration will close
at 9:30am. The loop through Scandia is for folks wishing to ride 50, 75, or 100 miles. The
organizers estimate this will bring roughly 2,000 to Scandia. The Community Center is serving
as the rest stop, if approved by the City Council at their March meeting. Given the 6:30-9:30am
registration, it is estimated that riders will be showing up at the Community Center beginning at
8am and should be finished by noon. Volunteers willing to help with the rest stop will be needed
th
from lam to Ipm on April 28.