Decorah Hosts 130 Youth Riders at Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League Race

Strong communities start with trustworthy reporting—give to local news now! On Saturday, May 31, more than 130 young mountain bikers from across Iowa gathered at Van Peenan Park for the third annual Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League (ISMBL) race. Riders competed in varsity, junior varsity, middle school and elementary categories, with divisions for male, female and nonbinary athletes. The event marked the second stop in the ISMBL summer race series and was hosted by the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Club, known as DIRT—one of eight youth teams in the state. Local riders delivered strong performances on their home trails. Heron Crile earned third place in the middle school boys division, and Ani Anderson placed third in the elementary girls race. "Our league was founded with the phrase 'more kids on bikes,'" said Jerrid Kruse, ISMBL president. "With growth from 20 to over 400 participants in less than five years, we are seeing that vision become reality. It's wonderful to see communities from across Iowa support kids as they race, play, and explore nature on two wheels." DIRT began practices in late March and includes riders from elementary through high school. All team activities are led by a group of dedicated local volunteers. "It was so much fun seeing the community show up to support these kids," said DIRT coach Melissa Fuhrmann. "The kids were trying new things and cheering each other on—so many smiles on faces of all ages." "We're consistently seeing 25 to 30 kids show up to each practice," said DIRT coach Wes Anderson. "It's been great to see both new and returning riders building momentum week after week. These races offer a great mix—some kids are here to compete, others just to have fun or gain experience. The environment is welcoming, supportive, and full of positive energy. We're always looking for volunteer coaches to help us keep practices safe and fun." The Decorah event was made possible through collaboration among local organizations and volunteers. Race-day support came from WinnMed Emergency Services and the Decorah Volunteer Fire Department; Decorah Human Powered Trails, which helped set up the course and coordinate volunteers; Decorah Parks and Recreation, which assisted with permits and logistics; Ness Pumping Service, which donated portable restrooms; Sogo Snacks, which contributed snacks for participants; and Luther College, which provided housing and helped distribute snacks. Numerous ISMBL volunteers also assisted with event operations. The ISMBL continues its 2025 summer race season with several more events scheduled throughout the state. For more information about the league, team registration or volunteer opportunities, visit iowamtb.com. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.