Decorah to Host Iowa's First Scholastic Mountain Bike League Camp Ahead of Decorah Races

If no one funds local news, your community is just rumors. Help Decorah News bring facts home. DECORAH — Dozens of youth ages 7-17 will participate in Iowa's first Scholastic Mountain Bike League camp at Luther College on Thursday and Friday, June 18-19, ahead of the league's Decorah races Saturday, June 20. When Luther College Vice President of Communications Bill Smith suggested the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League hold a camp in Decorah, organizers said the idea made sense. Decorah's league race showcases some of the oldest mountain bike trails in the state, and Decorah was one of 28 communities designated as "Trail Towns" by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. In addition, the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team includes more than 60 youth riders. "Bill Smith approached us about a camp a few years ago," said Melissa Fuhrmann, a league board member and one of the Decorah team's coaches. "It took some time for us to make it happen, but with the support of groups both locally and around the state, we have a great lineup of activities." The camp will be held at Luther College and will include bike skills games, a trailside maintenance course, a healthy-bodies yoga session with Laree Schoeweiler of Drift Strength and Yoga, a girls ride with Jolie Costello of ShredHER in Des Moines, a sustainable trail maintenance and ecology course and more. Camp organizers say the goals are to have fun, develop skills and, most importantly, build friendships among riders from across the league. Seven-year-old Ted Hanson of the Decorah team said he is excited about attending. "I enjoy the mountain bike team because of the great people I get to ride with and am excited for the fun activities at bike camp with new friends and coaches," Hanson said. Although registration has closed, community members can still participate. Organizers invite the public to join campers and their families for "Trail Night in Decorah" on Thursday evening, a hiking, biking and running event hosted by Decorah Parks and Recreation, Decorah Human Powered Trails, Decorah Run Club and the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team. The final camp activity will be a preride of Saturday's race course. Decorah's race is expected to host more than 140 youth riders and is one of five league events statewide. While the league organizes the races, local trail groups such as Decorah Human Powered Trails prepare the course. "Being in the Driftless Region, the area's steep bluffs and valleys provide wonderful topography for mountain biking," said Wes Anderson, one of the Decorah team's coaches. "We are so proud of Decorah and all the area has to offer, from outdoor recreation to a vibrant downtown for shopping and wonderful restaurants. Hosting this race gives us an opportunity to welcome kids from all over the state and share our town." Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.