North Iowa Human Powered Trails has partnered with local organizations to build, maintain, and revitalize trails in the Mason City area. With help and support from the Outride Fund, they received a $7500 matching grant this spring to build more trails. The group was formed by volunteers, including Steve Bailey who co-founded the Mohawk Mountain Bike Club, and its parent organization SPIN DEVO. The target goal is to build five miles of new trails. The multi-phase project will eventually create a network of trails throughout the city include building a 4 mile loop around the dog park, cleaning up the area along the Winnebago River, creating way-finding kiosks and signage, and creating a bike park/skills area near the trailhead.

The budget for Phase 1 is $25,000. This community fundraiser will include donations from local businesses and, alongside the match from the Outride Fund, will fund 80% of Phase 1. The other 20% will be secured through private grant opportunities.

A new bridge to everywhere! An all volunteer crew replaced the bridge on the Winnebago Trail Loop. The old bridge was unstable—the new bridge makes this trail more accessible and safe for riders of all abilities.

A huge shout out to local retailer Wayne’s Ski & Cycle who kicked in a $3,000 donation to raise the bar for their fundraising effort and is all in on the advocacy side of cycling with his store also supporting SPIN DEVO, a Junior Cycling Team based in Mason City, Iowa. Trail building brings out the best in communities. Special thanks to Ken Barker, with Backyard Trails, who provided a 3-day class and trail building event to create the new trails near Zerble’s Trailhead. More local news in the Globe Gazette about the trails, here.