DECORAH, IOWA — More than 130 youth riders from across Iowa gathered at Van Peenan Park on Saturday, May 31, for the third annual Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League (ISMBL) race. The event was the second stop in the league’s 2025 summer race series and was hosted by the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Club, known as DIRT.
The competition featured multiple race categories, including varsity, junior varsity, middle school, and elementary divisions. Riders competed in male, female, and nonbinary classifications.
Local athletes put in strong performances on their home trails. Heron Crile finished third in the middle school boys’ division, while Ani Anderson secured third place in the elementary girls’ race.
“Our league was founded on the idea of getting more kids on bikes,” said Jerrid Kruse, president of the ISMBL. “We’ve grown from just 20 riders to over 400 in under five years. It’s exciting to see communities from around the state rally behind these young athletes as they ride, race, and enjoy nature.”
DIRT began its training sessions in late March and includes riders from elementary school through high school. All practices and events are organized and led by a team of dedicated local volunteers.
“It was amazing to see the community come out and support these kids,” said DIRT coach Melissa Fuhrmann. “They were trying new things, encouraging each other, and having a great time. There were smiles everywhere.”
Coach Wes Anderson added, “We typically have 25 to 30 kids at every practice. Some are new, others are returning, and it’s great to see the team grow stronger every week. These races give kids a chance to compete, have fun, or just gain experience. The atmosphere is always welcoming and supportive. We’re always in need of volunteer coaches to help us run safe and fun practices.”
The Decorah race was made possible by a wide range of local partners and volunteers. Race-day support was provided by WinnMed Emergency Services and the Decorah Volunteer Fire Department. Decorah Human Powered Trails helped set up the course and coordinate volunteers, while Decorah Parks and Recreation assisted with permits and logistics. Ness Pumping Service donated portable restrooms, Sogo Snacks supplied food for riders, and Luther College offered housing and helped with snack distribution. Many ISMBL volunteers also played key roles in managing the event.
The ISMBL summer race series will continue with several more events scheduled across the state, giving young riders more chances to race, grow, and connect through mountain biking.