ADEL, IOWA (May 16, 2025) — A key bridge east of Adel on the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) was impacted by a fire early in the morning of Monday, May 12. The cause of the fire was three local Adel teens who had built an uncontrolled fire which caught the bridge on fire. Dallas County Sheriff's Office has apprehended and charged the three suspects. According to Dallas County Conservation Director Curt Cable, due to extensive damages, the bridge is currently unusable. The bridge was along a portion of the trail previously closed for a construction project.
The bridge impacted by the fire was along the route of the Bacoon Ride, a bike ride taking place along the RRVT on June 14th. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition, the host organization for the ride, wants to assure riders and community members that the ride will still be taking place as planned, and has been coordinating with Dallas County Conservation, the City of Adel, Adel Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa DOT to create a safe detour for riders to get out of Adel and back on the RRVT. The detour will stretch from S 6th St in Adel to Prospect Ave, where cyclists would then rejoin the RRVT as they head east toward Waukee.
Iowa Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Luke Hoffman says, “Our hearts go out to the City of Adel as well as to Dallas County Conservation, who are showing tremendous leadership in this dramatic moment. We want both our registered riders, residents of the area, and the general public to understand that the Bacoon Ride will continue to support Dallas County Conservation with a portion of proceeds from ticket sales going directly to the county based on the number of registered riders. We are pleased to announce that, in cooperation with the Iowa State Patrol, The City of Adel, Adel Police Department, and the Iowa Department of Transportation, that the ride will go on for its eleventh year with an approved detour using Highway 6 in place that will be protected by the State Patrol and Coalition volunteers.”
Individuals can support Dallas County Conservation’s efforts to rebuild the bridge by donating directly to the organization, or by registering for the Bacoon Ride. A portion of the proceeds will go back to Dallas County Conservation.
- Bacoon Ride is the largest single day bike ride in Iowa
- Bacoon Ride has had participants from over 23 states in the country
- Bacoon Ride generates more than $500,000 in economic impact each year for the communities along the route, which include: Waukee, Dallas Center, Jamaica, Yale, Herndon, Panora, Linden, Redfield, and Adel.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is a statewide non-profit organization in Iowa that advocates for safe, enjoyable, and accessible bicycling in Iowa through education, events, better policy, and building a community of supporters. Our vision is that bicycling in Iowa is safe, enjoyable, and accessible for all. You can learn more at Iowabicyclecoalition.org.
