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Join the Fall Cycling Festival This Weekend at Honey Creek Resort
Posted: October 6, 2009

MORAVIA, Iowa - Join cycling friends from around the Midwest this weekend, October 9-11, for a Fall Cycling Festival. The weekend event is sponsored by Bike World of Des Moines and is open to everyone.

"What makes the Fall Cycling Festival so special is the state park setting and beautiful scenery." says Jason McGrann, sales manager for Honey Creek Resort. "Riders of all abilities will find this a fun and exciting event."

The Kick-off Party for the Festival takes place at the lakeside terrace fireside ring at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, with music by Matt McNeece and his guitar. Also on Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m., riders can take part in a night mountain bike ride leaving every 30 minutes from the main lodge entrance.

On Saturday, mountain bikers can join the Midwest Gravel Road Marathon Championship competition, a 100-mile gravel road ride/race or take part in the Metric Century Gravel Road Ride. Registration begins at 6 a.m. and continental breakfast will be available for registrants from 5 to 7 a.m.

The festival will also include a range of activities for recreational mountain bikers, non-riders and families, including an evening dinner with entertainment and awards.

Finish the weekend with Sunday Fun Day. Head out to the lake and take a 35-mile scenic road bike and gravel road tour.

Bring the kids! They can take part in the kids' trail ride on Saturday at 11 a.m.; after the ride take a dip in the pirate-themed Buccaneer Bay Indoor Water Park.

Guests will also enjoy playing a round or two at the Preserve Golf Course. The bent-grass tees and greens are stunning and golfers are treated to long views of breathtaking prairie. The course has a full driving range, putting green and Club Car golf carts equipped with GPS.

You can find more information on the Fall Cycling Festival at www.honeycreekresort.com or call Dave Mable with Bike World at (515) 255-7047 or email: dave@bikeworldiowa.com.

For more information on special events, packages and DNR interpretive programs, go to www.honeycreekresort.com or call (877) 677-3344.

About Honey Creek Resort State Park
Honey Creek Resort State Park offers 105 guest rooms and suites, Twenty-eight luxury guest cabins, a 6,500 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor convention space, 18-hole championship golf course, 15,000 sq. ft. indoor water park, dining, RV Park and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures with interpretive programs and activities.

Driving directions:

Located on Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Honey Creek Resort is just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 35 minutes southwest of Ottumwa and 95 miles southeast of Des Moines. Visitors can get there by taking Highway 5 to Moravia and turning west on County Road J18.

From Des Moines: From Interstate 35 south of Des Moines, take Highway 5 southeast through Albia. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.

From southern Iowa and Missouri: Take Highway 5 north through Centerville. Turn west (left) onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.

From Interstate 80 (Iowa City): Take Highway 218/Exit 239 south from Iowa City. Turn west (right) onto Highway 34. Turn south (left) Albia onto Highway 5. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.