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Get out your calendars, everybody-you're going to need them. Here in Iowa, it's warming up. Summer's coming, and it's high time to choose one or more summer bike tours!
At the right: Just a sampling of some of the rides we will be supporting, plus our own Black Hills Hundred!
Our Season at a Glance is a menu of rides supported by PBV in 2025! Below, you'll find a concise update packed with bicycle adventures happening across the Midwest and beyond, short miles and long miles, steeper and flatter, relaxed or racing, something for everyone, all supported in one way or another by Pork Belly Ventures. When you come across those you like, the links will take you to more information and a place to register for PBV support.
RIGHT: The Iowa Bike Expo and RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party is a great time for our crew to get together in the 'off-season' - although some of us stay plenty busy all year 'round.
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Please enjoy browsing
Our 2025 Ride Calendar,
in chronological order below!
Here goes!
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May 10,
Art Church
Outdoor Festival
The start/end town: Malvern, Iowa
Description: If you've ever joined us for the Birds & Bees Ride on the Wabash Trace, you'll understand why "Make it to Malvern" is the slogan for this event. Although the event is primarily an outdoor art and music festival, organizer Zack Jones is a board member for the Wabash Trace and is promoting this as a "start where you are" ride as well. On the trail, Malvern is a 21 mile ride from Council Bluffs or a 12 mile ride from Mineola (from the north). Start South of Malvern in Shenandoah for a 23 mile ride to Malvern. Or, start in Malvern and do an out-and back whichever direction you'd like! See the event flyer and Facebook Event for more info.
PBV Services: Just the Royal Flush for this new event!
For more info:
Art Church Outdoor Festival | Facebook
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May 17,
Lazy Horse Gravel Grind
The start/end town: Ohiowa, Nebraska
Description: This delightful one-day gravel ride has been sold out since December 31 of 2024 (the same day registration opened!), but you may want to read up on it for next year. This ride is limited to 300 registrants and has 50k and 100k options for single and tandem riders. Although it's not a race, it is challenging, but as a supported ride would be a great intro to gravel riding if you want to try something new.
PBV Services: A hot shower and towel for every rider.
For more info:
Facebook Page: Lazy Horse Gravel Grind
Registration Page: Lazy Horse Gravel Grind
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May 29-June 1,
Life Time Unbound
Gravel Race
The start/end town: Emporia, Kansas
Description: This is the biggest gravel race in the world. There's a lottery for this one, friends, so only 4,000 lucky cyclists get the privilege of riding or racing the Flint Hills of Kansas. Check out their website for other ways to participate - through a designated charity, qualifiers, training camp, coaching or volunteering.
PBV Services: We will be located on the fairgrounds with our shower trailer, phone-charging, and morning coffee--plus our rental tents and PHAT Rooms. We offer a "comfort package" for those in our rooms and tents, and also for other riders staying in the fairgrounds.
SPECIAL NOTE: Our PHAT Rooms sold out as soon as the Unbound lottery results were announced. We are keeping a waiting list for that service. Tent rentals do not usually sell out.
For more info:
https://www.unboundgravel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/unboundgravel
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June 1-7,
BRAN,
Bike Ride
Across
Nebraska
The start/end towns: Oshkosh to Fremont, Nebraska
Description: Now in its 43rd year, this classic weeklong cross-state bicycle tour is presented annually by the dedicated volunteers of the Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club. BRAN features small-town hospitality and the scenic beauty of the prairie! There are daily gravel options if you'd prefer to hop off the main route.
PBV Services: Dave Kennedy runs our operation on BRAN, and nobody cares more about excellent service than Dave. We'll have a shower trailer (including towels), along with a shade canopy and chairs, morning coffee, and phone-charging. Our crew has been engaged by BRAN to move your baggage each day, too, so you'll be seeing their happy faces every morning! As ever, we offer rental tents and PHAT Rooms on BRAN!
SPECIAL NOTE: We have two Queen PHAT rooms available for 6 nights of BRAN--and Dave is maintaining a waiting list for 7 nights and twin rooms. Rental tents are available.
For more info:
https://www.bran-inc.org/
https://www.facebook.com/branimal.ride
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June 1-7,
Big BAM
on the Katy
The Start/End Towns: Clinton (west side of Missouri) to St. Charles (near St. Louis)
Description: This 6-day ride follows the lush Katy Trail west to east across the state of Missouri, through tunnels and past impressive outcroppings, stopping in friendly towns whose citizens and businesses are fond of meeting visitors from all over the US! The campsites are lovely! Ride director Todd White knows this trail like the back of his hand, and customer service is his specialty. Daily mileage is 35 to 50 miles. There's an October version, as well!
Rent a Bike: Todd can offer a variety of rental bikes and e-bikes for this ride!
SPECIAL NOTE: When you sign up for Big BAM on the Katy, you can join the Pork Belly Ventures team and save $35 on your ride registration!
PBV Services: Our crew has been on this ride for many years, working closely with founders, Greg and Danita Wood, and with Todd. We will operate a shower trailer (with towels), charge phones and devices, brew morning coffee, erect shade canopies in camp, and staff a front desk. We can charge e-bikes, too. Our PHAT Rooms and rental tents are available on this one! You can choose those options when you register for the ride, or email pete@pkbelly.com
For more info:
JUNE Big BAM on the Katy
https://www.facebook.com/bigBAMride
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June 21,
The
Solstice
Gravel Grinder
The start/end town: Beatrice, Nebraska
Description: This delightful one-day gravel ride offers a 100+ mile course (the Hundy), a 50+ mile course (the Fiddy), and 35+ mile course (the Kindler). Depending on the distance, race categories include Men's, Women's, Single Speed, Open, Masters, Fat Bike, Tandem, Relay, and Juniors.
PBV Services: A hot shower and towel for every rider.
For more info:
https://www.solsticegravel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/solsticegravel
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June 22-26,
The
Black Hills Hundred
Presented by
Pork Belly Ventures
The start/end towns:
Deadwood to Edgemont, South Dakota
The Route: Your route is the downhill-trending Mickelson Trail, which we will follow from the northern end at Deadwood to the southern end at Edgemont. You can park in Edgemont and shuttle to the start; see our shuttle mentioned below.
Description: The George S. Mickelson Trail was named for the late South Dakota Governor who championed it! He foretold that it would become one of the most visited places in South Dakota, and he was right. With its high-trestle bridges and ponderosa-pine forests, it will provide you with some of the most scenic cycling you've ever done. Our overnight stops are historic Deadwood, a little resort called Carsten Cottages out in the hills, Hill City, Custer, and finally, Edgemont. Key features of this ride include a train excursion into the hills with lunch on board and history narration; a motorcoach tour of the sites of SD (namely Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and of course, Mt. Rushmore); and great meal options in camp, catered by our host resort, or in the nearby entertainment districts of our host towns! Your daily mileage ranges from only 15 miles to 44 downhill miles on the last day.
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PBV Services: We'll have everything you've come to expect from PBV, including an informative check-in process, a parking option, your hot private shower each day, phone charging, morning coffee, bike mechanics, massage therapy, rental tents and PHAT Rooms available, optional and delicious breakfasts in camp, and more included meals than any other PBV tour. This ride features excursions to see the Great Faces and Great Places of South Dakota. We currently have a few PHAT Room options left in either twin or queen, but don't delay!
Midday on Sunday, June 22, PBV will run an optional shuttle (including transport of bikes and bags) from free long-term parking in Edgemont to the start of the ride in Deadwood.
For more info:
BlackHillsHundredInvitation!
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July 19-26,
RAGBRAI!
The start/end towns are Orange City and Guttenberg, a shorter, flatter northern route.
Description: This is the biggest and oldest of the state rides in the country. It's where PBV began, lo, those 32 years ago, and we are glad we're still standing for the 52nd RAGBRAI!!
PBV Services: We bring everything we have to this one, and we leave it all on the field. There hasn't been a "normal" year since 2019, but we are thrilled that we have space available in April on our Weeklong and Partial-Week Support. There is a waiting list for the tent service, currently about 100 deep.
PBV provides morning coffee, a breakfast vendor, your daily hot and private shower with a towel, all-day food vending, yoga in the late afternoon, bike mechanics and massage therapists, plus a full-service bike shop in camp. We have catered evening meals and live entertainment on stage, phone-charging trailers and other custom-built equipment for our riders! We can refrigerate medication and help those who use a CPAP machine, and we can charge e-bike batteries. We operate lots of shuttles before, after, and during RAGBRAI.
(As always, PHAT Rooms are sold out - but if you want to join the waiting list please click here to complete the form.)
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Our RAGBRAI invitation letter (click the link above) was published in December. Read it for a description of our services. It's pretty comprehensive, but we welcome questions! We still have space on our Weeklong Support and all shuttles. The rental tent service is sold out with a waiting list. PHAT Rooms are also sold out, and the wait list goes back to 2018, but if you are interested please complete the form linked above to join the renewed list.
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August 8-10,
Rooster Tail Ride
The Route: This ride is entirely on the Wabash Trace Nature, one of our favorite trails right in Pork Belly's own back yard. The ride begins in Mineola and passes through Silver City, Malvern, and Imogene on the way to the overnight town, Shenandoah. It is 35 miles each way on the tree-lined crushed limestone rail-trail.
Description: This ride is a fundraiser for the Wabash Trace. The pre-party with live music and camping happens in Mineola on Friday night, and the relaxed-pace ride has 6 live music stops on Saturday and one in Malvern on Sunday. Overnight camping and luggage transportation is included, but there are also hotel options in Shenandoah.
PBV Services: We will provide the shower trailer (bring your own towels), and depending on capacity at Shenandoah Inn & Suites we may provide PHAT Room rentals.
For more info:
www.wabashtrace.org/event-details/rooster-tail-ride-2025
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August 20-24,
Bicycling Around Minnesota
The Route: This year, BAM is headed to central Minnesota with overnights in Pequot Lakes, Pine River, and Emily - all part of the Brainerd Lakes Area - and Aitkin, an historic riverboat town. This area is a premier vacation destination and outdoor paradise, boasting more than 500 lakes and rivers as well as beautiful parks and forests.
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Description: The Bicycling Around Minnesota ride directors are kindred spirits in that they are proud of the beauty of their home state and they care deeply about the quality of the experience they provide. This ride entails 50-70 miles each day on paved low-traffic roads and trails. Expect lovely campsites on this fully supported tour with meals, downloadable route maps (RWGPS), rider support along the route, mechanical support and luggage transport.
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PBV Services: Our happy crew will operate one large shower trailer (with private stalls and towels), brew morning coffee, and set up shade canopies and phone-charging. We'll do e-bike charging, too! BAM has engaged our crew to provide other aspects of the ride, as well, so we'll be working in tandem with BAM volunteers. PBV rental tents are available, and once again, PHAT Rooms on BAM (still available)!
For more info:
https://bambiketour.org/
Register for PBV Services on Bicycling Around Minnesota:
https://pkbelly.com/Event/info/bicylingaroundminn2025
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September 6,
Pony Express Gravel Dash
Description: Starting and ending in Maryville, Kansas, this one-day event showcases the challenging terrain and rich Pony Express history of northeast Kansas. This race features a 30-35 mile short course, a 60-mile intermediate course, and a 120-mile long course, each with different divisions.
PBV Services: We will be there with a nice hot shower and towels for all riders!
For more info:
www.facebook.com/ponyexpress120graveldash
www.bikereg.com/ponyexpress120graveldash
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September 6-7,
Bike MS:
Gateway Getaway
The Route: The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway offers four exciting route distances each day, all starting and finishing at the beautiful Lewis & Clark Community College campus in Godfrey, IL (St. Louis area). Whether you’re a novice or experienced cyclist, they have a route for you, ranging from 25, 50, 75 to 100 miles!
Description: The limestone bluffs on the Great River Road are waiting for you! Enjoy majestic views of the Mississippi River and routes nestled throughout the roads and historic towns of rural Illinois for an incredible ride. Experience the extraordinary journey as riders come together to reach Bike MS's goal — a world free of MS.
PBV Services: We will be there with a nice hot shower and towels for all riders!
For more info:
Bike MS: Gateway Getaway
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September 11-14,
Big BAM's
Rolla Ramble
Description: This is the second year for Todd White's new clover-leaf, 3-day ride in Rolla, Missouri. Ride Historic Route-66 paved backroads along meandering trout streams and beaver ponds and past relics of yesteryear. Ride sponsors Visit-Rolla and Missouri Life team-up to bring you this "Loop-Style" ride. No need to move camp, after daily loops of 55 miles or so, riders return to base camp in Rolla. Our venue sponsor "The Rolla Lions Club" is rolling out the red-carpet for this event as are our Beer and Wine Sponsors Public House Brewing and St. James Winery. Nightly entertainment with live music is included.
Kudos to Todd White for expanding his menu of rides to other parts of Missouri. He is also the director of Big BAM on the Katy in both June and October! His team is with us for RAGBRAI, too.
PBV Services: Our crew will operate a shower trailer (with towels), brew morning coffee, and set up shade canopies and phone-charging. We can offer e-bike charging! Importantly, riders will be able to book our rental tents and PHAT Rooms for this new tour!
For more info:
The Rolla Road Ride, Big BAM
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September 20-21,
Bike MS:
Kansas City
The Route: Get ready for all new route options and exciting changes to your favorite two-day ride. Cycle past iconic city landmarks while headed towards your Choice Winners #1 Winery in Kansas, Bourgmont Winery. Whether you’re a novice or experienced cyclist, they have a route for you, with 30, 75, and 100 mile options on day 1 and 30 & 75 mile options on day 2.
Description: Downtown KC, here we come! This year’s ride will start at the historic Union Station in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. Celebrate a hard day's work with live music and an overnight that will be fun for the whole family. With a mix of rural and urban roads and many route options, this ride will be great for rookie and veteran cyclists alike. You’ll end this ride saying, “There’s no place like Bike MS: Kansas City!"
PBV Services: We will be there with a nice hot shower and towels for all riders!
For more info:
Bike MS: Kansas City
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October 5-11,
Big BAM
on the Katy
The Start/End Towns: Clinton (west side of Missouri) to St. Charles (near St. Louis)
Description: This 6-day ride follows the lush Katy Trail west to east across the state of Missouri, through tunnels and past impressive outcroppings, stopping in friendly towns whose citizens and businesses are fond of meeting visitors from all over the US! The campsites are lovely! Ride director Todd White knows this trail like the back of his hand, and customer service is his specialty.
Rent a Bike: Todd can offer a variety of rental bikes and e-bikes for this ride! Stay tuned for more about his big discount!
SPECIAL NOTE: When you sign up for Big BAM on the Katy, you can join the Pork Belly Ventures team and save $35 on your ride registration!
PBV Services: Our Crew has been on this ride for many years, working closely with founders, Greg and Danita Wood, and with Todd. We will operate a shower trailer (with towels), charge phones, devices, and e-bike batteries. We brew morning coffee, erect shade canopies in camp, and staff a front desk. Our PHAT Rooms and rental tents are available on this one!
For more info:
OCTOBER Big BAM on the Katy
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DEFINITIONS:
For those who have not traveled with PBV, allow us to describe a few of the services we provide on bicycle tours!
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The PBV Rental Tent Service
You can take a LOT of labor out of your bicycle tour by reserving our tent service. The manufacturer bills our 63'-sf tent as a 4-man--but for the purposes of a bike tour, it's roomy for one person and cozy for two with your baggage inside. Our crew does all the labor of setting up and taking down your tent each day and moving your bags to and from the tent throughout the tour. The tent includes your ground cloth and rain fly, too.
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ABOVE: Here is a queen-style PHAT Room.
See below for your virtual tour of a twin-style room.
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PHAT Rooms--Cabins on Wheels!
A PHAT Room is your ticket to a good night's sleep every night of your ride. Our friends in Minnesota call them "cabins on wheels," and there are five "cabins" on a semi-trailer, each featuring laminate flooring and knotty-pine interiors. Your mattresses, linens, pillows, and blankets are included, so you won't need to bring any camping gear. Find switched lights at the head of each bed, with outlets for phone-charging. The rooms are air-conditioned so that regardless of heat or humidity, you'll be rested up for the next day's adventure. And those in PHAT Rooms may be the only riders who don't have to pack up their belongings each morning! For a virtual tour of a PHAT Room, click right here:
https://PHATROOMVirtualTour
We recommend 2-3 occupants so that you have more elbow room and space to stow your belongings. But it is possible to sleep up to five in a room.
PHAT Rooms are available on Black Hills Hundred and many of the smaller rides listed above. They are not available on RAGBRAI--unfortunately, we have a very long waiting list, which you can add your name to here.
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PBV Showers
The experience with PBV may exceed your expectations for portable showers! You'll have a private dressing area adjacent to your stall, with hooks for hanging your clothing and toiletries. We heat water on demand, so we don't run out, even during busier times of the day. Your towel is normally included (depending on the ride director's decision), and there's a body-wash dispenser in each stall. Most of our trailers are air-conditioned. The smallest trailer is well-ventilated with fans in the ceiling to move heat and humidity out of the trailer.
Importantly, and unlike many portable shower services, PBV shower stalls are cleaned after every use.
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What's Next from PBV?
We will be on your screens again soon with a new RAGBRAI update! We've already sent out updates about shuttles parking in Guttenberg and bike shipping, but before too long we will have more information coming about indoor sleeping, hotel stays, massage appointments, and optional meals. If you accidentally deleted an email, you can always find our updates on the PBV App or online at https://pkbelly.com/content/emailedUpdates
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We Hope To See You This Season!
With every new ride, you'll make friends who share your passion for cycling and new adventures. We hope you've found one or two or even MORE 2025 events that suit your fancy and your calendar. We would love to spend part of your cycling season with you!
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For your questions about the rides themselves, feel free to use the links above to view the event websites and/or reach out to the ride directors. For any questions about PBV Services or our own ride (the Black Hills Hundred), we'll do our best to help! Please find our contact info below.
Take care, everyone. Come on, Summer! Until next time we remain,
Your friends,
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Pork Belly Ventures LLC
Tammy: 808-375-8921 c, tammy@pkbelly.com
Pete: 402-681-2613 c, pete@pkbelly.com
www.pkbelly.com
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