TOUR OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY

JUNE 7-8 2008

TOMRV is the Tour of the Mississippi River Valley, a Midwest cycling tradition now in its 31th year. Every year 1,500 bicycling enthusiasts come to ride the TOMRV tour. They enjoy a challenging ride on scenic roads, through Midwest farmland, and along the Mississippi River.

THE RIDE

We leave on Saturday June 7, 2008 from Bettendorf, Iowa (106 miles) or from Preston, Iowa (67 miles) and travel to Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. The next day we return using a different route to Bettendorf (88 miles) or to Preston (44 miles). The route is varied and scenic, using lightly traveled paved roads. There are many views of the Mississippi River as we ride along it, over it on bridges, and through it on causeways.

You will have top-notch support services on the tour. The Quad Cities Bicycle Club provides many rest stops on the way with free food and refreshments. Additional food is sold along the route by civic and church organizations. Upon arriving at Clarke, the legendary TOMRV banquet is waiting for you. Clarke College and neighboring Loras College open their dormitories for our overnight stay.

This is TOMRV, a tradition of good riding, good scenery, challenging hills, good food, and an overall good time. So if this is for you, then plan to ride with us this year.

CHECK-IN AND START

Most riders arrive on Friday to check-in at Scott Community College in Bettendorf from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At check-in you will receive a wristband, a luggage tag, ride information and queue sheets. The wristband entitles you to all rider services on the route and at Clarke College, and admits you to the Saturday banquet. The luggage tag lets your bag onto our trucks, delivering it to Clarke College on Saturday, and back to Bettendorf or Preston on Sunday.

For accommodations on Friday evening there are many motels available in the Bettendorf area, and there is tent camping space available at Scott Community College.

Also at check-in, every rider receives a ride T-shirt. The ride jersey will have a custom TOMRV design. See our website in March for a preview of the jersey. You can buy a jersey at check-in, but quantities are limited. Ride patches are also available.

TOMRV starts Saturday morning from Scott Community College in Bettendorf from dawn to 8:00 a.m., and from Preston at 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Check-in on the morning of the ride is possible, but can delay your start.

ON THE RIDE

TOMRV provides emergency bicycle repair on the route and at Clarke College.

We provide a secure bike lock-up area at Clarke College with an overnight guard.

Massage tables are available at Clarke on Saturday afternoon for a separate charge.

After your Saturday ride, relax at the Clarke Beer Garden. Back this year, the Cedar Island Band.

A breakfast buffet is available on Sunday morning at Clarke for a separate charge.

Showers are available at Preston and at Bettendorf at the end of the ride.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee gets you on the ride and includes the Saturday night banquet. Notice the discounts for early registration. The ride is held rain or shine. Registration fees are not refundable. Riders under age 18 require parent or guardian signature and must be accompanied by an adult.

Accommodations for Saturday night are listed on the registration form. Choose one of these unless you have your own overnight arrangements. Since we fill up all dorms at Clarke, we have contracted with nearby Loras for additional rooms. Single and double rooms are assigned to Clarke first, then Loras. A free shuttle runs between Clarke and Loras. A single room consists of a single bed for one person and a double room has two single beds. Clarke suites have six adjoining single rooms and Loras suites have four adjoining single rooms. The room or suite is assigned to the person requesting it on the registration form. Rooms are not reserved until payment is made. Showers and towels are available for all, including campers. Clarke suites are only available through mail-in reservation. Linens are included with all Clarke and Loras rooms.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about TOMRV that are not answered here, then check Some commonly asked questions.

You can also email the TOMRV coordinator Doug Truesdell or theTOMRV registrar Katherine Weeks.