RIP IVBC
I am taking this opportunity to document the fact that there was an active bicycle club in Marshalltown, Iowa for 50 years, 1974 – 2024. It was the Iowa Valley Bicycle Club (IVBC). Mid December 1974, My wife and I were invited to a Christmas party at the home of Dan Ring, an avid cyclist. At that party, made up mostly of local cyclists, there was discussion of starting a bicycle club – “the conception and birth”. On Thursday, Dec. 19, the club president, treasurer and I met at the Lennox Credit Union to close the banking accounts of IVBC – “the funeral and burial.” Through the years, IVBC club activities included, to name just a few, Saturday rides, weekend campouts/rides, rides viewing Christmas lights, Ride of Silence, area parade rides and our annual Marshmallow Ride. The club also operated a successful, official RAGBRAI Charter. Although relatively small (110 riders), IVBC was well known and respected in the RAGBRAI Community. The money made from dues and RAGBRAI was used to support a host of local non-profit organizations, trail development and maintenance. It was a great ride Iowa Valley Bicycle Club — Rest in Peace.