Major Taylor Iowa Monday Night Signature ride

Name: Major Taylor Iowa Monday Night Signature ride
Start: 2025-08-18T18:15:00-05:00
End: 2025-08-18T20:30:00-05:00
Location: Water Works Park Amphitheater

Schedule

Mon Aug 18 2025 at 06:15 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Water Works Park Amphitheater | Des Moines, IA

Join us every Monday at 6:15 in Water Works Park for the MTIA Weekly Monday Night Signature ride. All are welcome to attend.
This is a casual 17-20 mile loop bike ride that goes around Water Works Park, Gray’s Lake and downtown Des Moines where we will take the Inter-Urban trestle, up into the Beaverdale neighborhood and drop back onto the trail. Route includes trail, some roads and neighborhoods. It is predicted we would average 12-16 miles per hour. This is dependent on the attendees.
Please arrive early at 6:15 so you can be ready to roll out promptly at 6:30. We’ll take a picture, talk safety and be on our way.
Helmets are required. It’s good practice to bring hydration, lights and items to change a flat.
Weather cancelations will be posted on the MTIA Facebook page. Please make sure you join the page so you won’t miss them!
We meet at Water Works Park Lauridsen Amphitheater
2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines. We will gather near the restrooms.
Why ride with us?
There are Major Taylor cycling clubs all over the world and to my knowledge, we are the only cycling club EVER to be named after a cyclist. We are an inclusive bike club that promotes diversity in all areas and cares about equity. We want to grow the bike community by sparking joy for riders and allowing a comfortable and safe space to grow weather you’re joining your first group ride or just out crushing your individual goals on the bike. We are excited to be established in Iowa. Membership is currently open.
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was an amazingly talented black athlete from 1878-1932. He was most likely given his nickname “Major” because of his military style clothing he wore as he entertained and performed bike stunts outside his local bike shop in Indianapolis. These performances launched him into becoming the cycling legend known today. He cycled on a track, was a professional road racer, did distance and sprints. The Worcester Whirlwind, as he was also affectionately called, set numerous world records and won both World and National championships all while fighting harsh and cruel racism. Even through such hatred, he, along with those that came alongside him, paved the way for future black athletes, he became the second black world champion in any sport! Even though few know his name, it doesn’t diminish that he was one of the greatest cyclists of his time and his story continues to inspire those that hear it. Through his story and our club hope to advocate for black cyclists by cultivating a supportive community of like minded cyclists that build up, encourage equity and spark passion for the sport of cycling so it can be more accessible regardless of socioeconomic background, ethnicity or experience level.
*You must sign a waiver before joining any Major Taylor Iowa ride.
Find our route here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47364862
Questions? Contact us on Facebook or through our club email:
[email protected]