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Urban Assault: The Most Fun You Can Have on a Bike

 

Sunday,August 22 in Des Moines

Let's show all the sponsors how excited we in Des Moines and Iowa are to among New Belgium Brewing's list of select bicycling cities.

This bike-based scavenger hunt will send you all over the Des Moines in a race to complete a series of obstacle courses and other challenges before socializing at the post party.   Costumes and themed attire encouraged! You may be bike jousting, big-wheel-ridin', keg walkin', doin' the limbo, and more.

Get your team to come down to Des Moines and play for the day! REGISTER NOW

 
Just want to be part of the scene? The Collective needs to recruit 30 volunteers for the day. Volunteer sign up:
http://www.urbanassaultride.com/desmoines/volunteer/npo

A 31-second taste of Denver's Urban Assault Ride

 
MORE UAR VIDEOS

First time? No problem! The event has a laid back atmosphere and most folks come for the fun (maybe the beer too;) Anyone can do it! Think of it like a day at an amusement park - with the added bonus of a good ride, tasty beer, and lots of schwag!

All registrations include:

  • Entry into the race
  • Donation to the charities (Des Moines Bike Collective)
  • 100% cotton t-shirt - and we have women's sizes too!
  • New Belgium Brewing schwag (drawstring backpack, stickers, and more schwag)
  • Snacks and drinks from our sponsors
  • Clif Bars and other after party snacks (meals will be available for purchase)
  • New Belgium Beer and non-alcoholic drinks - That's right! Beer and snacks are provided after the UAR!
  • Custom Sticker Giant UAR stickers
  • Reusable bag, drawstring backpack
  • Entry raffle prizes from our sponsors: Timbuk2 messenger bags, Clif Bars, Giro helmets and sunglasses, t-shirts, socks, tool and lubes, New Belgium gear, and much more
  • Entries in the prize raffle (over $5000 in gear at each event including a New Belgium cruiser bike)
  • A huge post-event party with good music lots of contests and all of your new friends

 

 

Regional Trail Maps Are Here!

Select from the menu on the left to view, download or print regional trail maps.

 

Des Moines Bicycle Collective 2009 Annual Report Available

It has been a busy year at the Collective. We have prepared an annual report to summarize the activities and accomplishments we realized in 2009. Click here to view the report.

 

Maintenance Opportunities

ANCIENT SECRETS OF BIKE MAINTENANCE REVEALED Yes, bike maintenance classes are returning to the Collective. Long overdue. Our next classes will be a 4-week series, beginning Thursday, June 3. 

 

We're pleased to have Steve Hanel, who has worked for 20-plus years as a Bike World mechanic, as the Collective bike instructor. Previously, Steve taught bike maintenance for 10-plus years through the Des Moines Adult Education program.

 

If all goes to plan, we will continue classes throughout the year on Thursday nights. Details, how to register. Too busy right now? Sign up now for classes.

 

Maintenance class will be hands-on, so bring your bike and get ready to get greasy. No previous bike knowledge is required or expected—just bring along your interest in learning the essential skills of maintaining your bike. Please sign up for classes ONLY IF you are certain you can make the dates. Space is limited. It really bites when people don't show up and/or cancel at the last minute.

 

Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m.
Location: Des Moines Bicycle Collective, 617 Grand Avenue (downtown Des Moines)
Class size: 10 (enrollment preference to students signing up for all four classes)
Fee: $25 per night/$80 for package of all four classes

What to bring: Your bike and your favorite non-alcoholic beverage
What to wear: Work clothes and/or work apron

 

 

MORE CLASSES After our first fall series of maintenance classes, the Collective intends to offer one-night special classes, depending on the response from Collective supporters like you. Steve Hanel will teach these classes, too.

 

Suggested classes include recumbent maintenance, tandem maintenance, wheel building/truing, Sturmey-Archer 3-speed maintenance, and building a fixie or single-speed. Interested? Let us know what classes you'd like to enroll in and we'll put them on the schedule. Four students minimum makes a class. One-night class is $25.

 

Fixie or single speed class. Will need to match you up with a frame and discuss how you plan to customize (possibly order rims) before classes begin.

 
 

NEED SPACE TO WORK ON YOUR BIKE? CHECK OUT OUR BENCHES We've listened to several Collective supporters—downtown workers in particular—who have asked for evening hours at the Collective. Tuesday night it is; 5-9 p.m.

 

Wrench on your own bike with our tools ($7/hr contribution) or work on Collective donated bikes just because you're a good soul in the volunteering spirit.

 

Steve Hanel will be on duty to help with repair questions and locate essential used parts from our inventory. Interested? It would be nice to know in advance if you plan to stop by.