About BIC
The Bicyclists of Iowa City (BIC) was founded in 1976. Since we began as a small group of passionate individuals, the club has since grown to over 400 members from the Iowa City area. Primarily located in Johnson County, Iowa, with a 2013 estimated population of 139,000, the club has become locally and regionally known and recognized by cyclists and members of the community as a prime source for cycling advocacy.
Club Meetings
We plan monthly meetings year round, which are open to the public. Our Executive Board meetings are usually planned on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Executive Board Meetings usually include club business pertaining to current topics of interests, issues, events, etc. General Meetings are held two to three times a year, with Board Member Elections in October. General meetings include advocacy items general entertainment presentations with presentations from club members about bicycling tours, RAGBRAI information, education, etc. Check out the Club News page on our website to obtain information on our next club meeting or check out our online calendar on our website.
Recreational Rides
SATURDAY rides are offered April through October (weather permitting), and range in distance from 20 to 100 miles. These rides are intermediate to advanced rides with a pace of 13 to 19+ mph. We MAY stop to regroup at certain points along the route. Typically these rides include a stop at a dining establishment before the group ventures back, or this may be planned as a choice at the end. Saturday rides may venture to a city festival or other attraction. The ride host may freely ride with all members of the group and will not always ride with the slowest rider of the group.
TUESDAY MORNING RIDES
Every Tuesday morning, the group, known as "2sday 2wheelers", will gather at the designated point and begin the ride at 9 am, weather permitting. The ride start location changes every month; riders can find the location on the BIC ride calendar. Varying the start location allows access to a variety of trails/routes throughout the season. Rides vary in length from 25-40 miles; the pace is 13-16+ mph, although a fast group usually breaks away; anyone is welcome to keep pace with them or fall back with the larger group. When the weather is pleasant, the group size often reaches into the twenties. 2sday 2wheelers usually make a refreshment stop mid-ride; the route and the stop will be announced at the beginning of the ride. Tuesday morning rides are scheduled from April through October. Rides are posted on the BIC Ride/ Event Calendar, bicyclistsofiowacity.org Check the ride calendar for time and start location.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT EVENING RIDES
Wednesday night riders meet at a designated starting point at 6:00 pm and take a "loop route" which varies in length from 18 to 28 miles. These rides, for experienced riders, offer fewer stops and an average speed of 13 to 18+ mph--a bit more brisk than a leisure ride. Slower riders are always welcome to join the group and can easily shorten the route by turning around to retrace the route home at any time. Each weekly ride has a ride host, and lights and blinkies are important as we sometimes ride at dusk or in the dark. We always enjoy beverages and dinner after the ride at a local establishment near the ride start. Wednesday Night Social Rides run from April through September.
You'll see a few different routes as well as some favorites, such as the Sugar Bottom Loop. Sometimes we start at the same location for two or three weeks--Quinton's Bar & Grill or Flannigan's Restaurant in Coralville, or North Liberty,or Solon.
Leisure Rides
THURSDAY EVENING RIDES
BIC also offers Thursday PM leisure rides which are scheduled in distances of 5-20 miles and for those who ride l0- 12 miles per hour. They are perfect for the beginning or new rider who wants to increase his or her cycling skills or just hang out with a great group of people. All riders stay together as a group and may enjoy ice cream or a quick snack at the end of the ride.