A message from Jon Ridge
Howdy Ironman Riders, Volunteers and Sponsors,
I am so pleased and excited to share the news that the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride has found a new home. Hostelling International USA has worked with Free Bikes 4 Kidz to transfer legal rights for the ride to this great Minnesota based charity. Many solid organizations showed interest in taking over the ride. I thank you all for your interest. Free Bikes 4 Kidz seemed well suited to manage this challenging event due to its strong bicycling mission, great staff and board, and experience working with events and volunteers.
Hostelling International USA formerly American Youth Hostels managed the ride for 51 years. It started in 1967. I was blessed to be its director for 24 of these years. Over 100,000 riders challenged themselves on this ride. Many became lifelong cycling enthusiasts, bike geeks, bike shop owners and fitness gurus because this ride gave them confidence and passion for riding.
I wish to thank these riders, especially our hundreds of great volunteers, and the entire Minnesota bike community for the support you gave us for over 5 decades of its operation. I hope you will join me is supporting Free Bikes 4 Kidz as they take over the Ironman giving it life, vitality and inspiration to another generation of Minnesota bicyclists. I’ll see you in June for this inaugural ride.
Thank you for 51 fantastic years of cycling.
Pedals Up….
Jon Ridge
Proud Former Director
Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride
