Tour de Creekside was designed to be a welcoming, family-friendly event, bringing together cyclists of all ages to enjoy the outdoors while honing their bike-handling skills. The event had a fantastic turnout, with kids, parents, and cycling enthusiasts eager to participate in the activities organized by the Coralville Parks and Recreation team. The rodeo was made possible through help from Iowa Safe Routes to School and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition with local partners from Bicyclists of Iowa City and Iowa City Scheels.
Creekside Park’s natural terrain provided the perfect setting for the various rodeo stations, each focusing on different aspects of cycling. Riders could practice their balance, maneuverability, and awareness while navigating cones and obstacles—important skills for any cyclist, whether they’re just starting out or more experienced. Young riders also got a chance to practice their hand signals and how to cross an intersection in a safe, controlled environment. Marc Wold of Bicyclists of Iowa City set up the rodeo course while Coralville Parks and Recreation staff were stationed at each activity, providing guidance and support to participants, ensuring everyone learned something new while having fun.
During the rodeo, Matt Burkey, Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, offered a hands-on introduction to cyclocross. Kids and adults alike had the opportunity to try out a small cyclocross course, complete with short climbs, technical turns, and even a few barriers to get the full experience. The energy was high as riders worked their way through the course, learning about the importance of quick dismounts, sharp turns, and how to adapt to different terrain.
Events like the Tour de Creekside are a testament to Coralville’s commitment to promoting cycling and outdoor activities. By offering an introduction to cyclocross, they opened the door to a whole new aspect of cycling for many participants, planting the seed for future riders who may want to take up the sport.
The excitement around cyclocross, combined with the traditional bike rodeo activities, made this event truly unique. It’s not often that young riders get the chance to experience such a variety of cycling activities in one day, and the smiles on their faces made it clear that the event was a success.
