We Ride Sunday, May 6, 2012

2012 Registration

Early Bird Online Registration is now open. Click below to register now. Mail-in registration will open mid February.

Direct link: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/MNIronmanBikeRide

Registration Fees and Schedule

Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride (MIBR)

• $30 Early Bird Registration; Jan 1–Feb 15 midnight
• $35 Feb 16-March 31 midnight
• $40 Apr 1-Apr 22 midnight

Minnesota Gran Fondo (MGF)

• $70 Early Bird Registration; Jan 1-Feb 15 midnight
• $75 Feb 16-Apr 22 midnight

Team Registration

MIBR:

• $30.00 Early Bird Registration; Jan 1 through Mar 31; min 8 riders per team
• $35 April 1–April 22

MGF:

• $70 Early Bird Registration; Jan 1–Mar 31
• $75.00 Individual, April 1–April 22

Team Registration Info:

See the Registration page for instructions on how to register a team.

About Us

The MIBR started as a spring century ride (100 mile ride) challenge for club cyclists in 1967. It has been held every year since on the last Sunday in April. However, due to the Easter holiday in 2011, we moved it to May. We decided to keep the ride in May for 2012.

Over the years the ride has grown and changed. We moved the ride location, as ridership grew, from Minneapolis to Buffalo to the current home of Lakeville, MN. We have added more routes as well. We have something for all cyclists now, including 17, 30, 68 and 100 miles. But one thing remains constant: the Minnesota Ironman is the spring opener bicycle event in Minnesota. It’s the original Ironman, the grandfather of midwestern bicycle events, and the qualitative measuring stick for all subsequent rides.

In case  you are wondering, this is not a triathlon. It’s not a race of any sort. It’s a recreational bike ride or cyclists of all skill levels and ambitions. Pure and simple. We pre-date the Ironman Triathlon, and have a licensing agreement with them to continue using our original name: The Minnesota Ironman® Bicycle Ride.

Any event with a 45+ year history needs to inspire itself to greater challenges and rewards for its riders. We are running the 2nd annual Minnesota Gran Fondo, a timed bike event, in 2012.  This is an event within and event. The MGF will run concurrently, same time and same routes, as the traditional Minnesota Ironman. Please see the Minnesota Gran Fondo page above for more information. The information below pertains to both events except where noted.

Ride Location: Start & Finish

Start point: Lakeville North High School – All Routes
End Point: Lakeville North High School – All Routes

Lakeville, MN North High School is located at 19600 Ipava Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. See a {map}.

Parking Map: For a parking map of Lakeville North HS click here.

2012 Routes

• MIBR: 100, 68 and 30, 17 Mile Routes
• MGF: 100 mile and 50 mile (new! – details soon)

All of our routes share the roads with motor vehicles on a quiet, Sunday morning. There is police/ sheriff support at major intersections. All riders will be given official route maps on ride morning for their chosen route. Please defer to this official ride map.

The 100 mile route is our signature century ride. With enough hills to keep it interesting and plenty of wide open spaces where riders can put their heads down and crank out the miles, the route leaves Lakeville North HS heading west to Jordan, then turns south to LeSueur, Montgomery, Lonsdale and back to Lakeville North HS. The route includes 4 indoor rest stops where riders can take a break and refuel.

The 68 mile route heads West to Jordan along with the 100 mile route. At the 22 mile mark, riders can choose between the 68 or 100 mile routes. The 68 mile route continues south through New Prague and on to the second rest stop at Lonsdale before returning to Lakeville North HS.

The 50 mile route: This is a Gran Fondo only route with 2 rest stops. Details soon.

The 30 mile route is completely new for 2011. Watch for lakes, parks, a few good rolling hills and a very welcoming community in Lakeville. The route has two indoor rest stops. Don’t let the distance fool you, 30 miles is still a challenging distance and requires advance training for a fun ride.

The 17 mile route is a branch off of the 30 mile route. We decided we needed to give families, younger riders and anyone else who hasn’t spent as much time in the saddle another short option, and yet still make it a fun and interesting ride. There is one indoor reststop along the route where riders can refresh themselves.

NOTE: Please defer to the official ride map, given to all riders at check-in on May 6, 2012

Rest Stops: Restrooms, Food, Drink

• 100 & 68 mile routes: Located roughly every 25 miles
• 50 Mile Gran Fondo Route: 2 rest stops
  
• 30 mile route: 2 rest stops located at 9 and 18 miles
• 17 mile route: 1 rest stop at 9 miles

Details: There will be indoor rest stops with restrooms, food, warm and cold beverages, mechanical support, medical support, sag wagons for those that have had enough, and welcoming volunteers to support those who will continue.

Food/Drink includes: Gatorade, water, coffee, oranges and bananas, Great Harvest race rolls, Breadsmith breads, Clif Bars, trail mix, candy bars, Pearson Nut Goodies + Salted Nut Rolls, and a hot dish (probably pasta) at the Lonsdale rest stop.

Ride Support & SAG Wagons

Bike Mechanical Support: Bike support is offered at the rest stops by local bicycle shops. Sag wagons will also offer basic mechanical support, or drive you to a rest stop to take care of a more serious mechanical situation.

Sag Wagon Support: Vans will patrol the route to help riders when needed. They will shuttle riders to the closest rest stop where school buses will carry riders back to the Lakeville North High school.

Police / Medical Support: Local police departments and county sheriffs are on hand to help direct traffic and protect bikers while on the route. Medical personnel are also on standby, and available at each rest stop.

Rider Safety & Responsibility

Bicycle and public safety is our highest priority. Lawful and responsible rider behavior is required to ensure that you and the over 5,000 riders are safe on community roadways shared by vehicles. Riders must share the roads with vehicles during the entire day. We appreciate every rider’s cooperation to ensure a safe ride!

Emergency: In all cases, riders should call 911 in case of emergency.

Day-of-Ride Hotline: If you need to speak to Ironman staff, there will be a day-of-ride hotline. The number will be published on the 2012 Route Map.

Weather Conditions

The MIBR is held regardless of weather. Sunshine, rain, snow, strong headwinds – the Minnesota Ironman® Bicycle Ride has been held for 45 years. That’s why it’s the original Ironman! We do not cancel the ride for weather. Please check the weather and dress appropriately for the ride. See the TCBC site for tips on dressing and prep.

“There is no such thing as bad weather – only inappropriate clothing.”

Accommodations Lakeville MN

Local Businesses: Each route will pass through small towns. Riders should feel welcome to stop at businesses along the way for a cup of coffee, a snack, a restroom break, whatever you may need between official MIBR rest stops. The towns we pass through appreciate and welcome your business.

Hotels and Motels in Lakeville can be contacted through the Lakeville Visitors Bureau at 952-469-2020 or via their web site at www.visitlakeville.org. Please mention that you are with the Minnesota Ironman® Bike Ride.

Camping is possible on the grounds of Lakeville North High School on Saturday night prior to the ride.  There is no access to the school overnight however. Campers MUST stay in the upper parking area of the school. Please call us for details. Showers will be available in the High School after the ride.