The Taco Ride

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:29 am

The Taco Ride may be the most popular cycling event most people have never heard of.

Riders approach the exit to Mineola, where dinner will be served.Nearly every Thursday, a group of diehards, beginners and Sunday afternoon riders gathers at the Council Bluffs head of the Wabash Trace trail to be part of the phenomenon.

Ahead of them is a 10-mile trek to Mineola, tacos and drinks, and a good time. . . .

In the almost 14 years since Losh and a friend launched the Taco Ride, it has grown significantly. What began as a small weekly ride became a way to meet new friends. A lot of new friends.

On the busiest Thursday nights, the Taco Ride has been known to draw as many as 1,000 cyclists. Most times, between 300 and 500 people take part. . . .

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:32 am

I know a few people that have taken a tumble down there...

I can't wait to go. It sounds like a bunch of fun!

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:20 am

I used to do this about once a month, but its popularity has pretty much ruined it. The last time I went it was an absolute zoo down there, it took at least twenty minutes to get a beer and getting a table in the restaurant was virtually impossible. The restaurant staff was so overwhelmed they didn't know what to do. All I can say is if you go, go early. You'll want to be down there before 7:00 if you want any prayer of getting a table.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:57 am

Mrs Tuna went down last week, took off from Lewis Central about 7 or so and didn't have one complaint. Tomorrow's the purported 500th "run". I suspect it will be busier than normal.

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:31 am

I just think they need to have some different options for food, like a place where you could walk up and buy a taco, or maybe a walk-up grill where you could get a burger or a hot dog. The fact that you have to get seated if you want to eat is what complicates things because there simply isn't enough seating in the place and people often stay in their seats for a long time. That last time I was there with my son and we waited at least an hour to get seated, and when they finally did they put us in that back room where we sat for twenty minutes without even as much as an acknowledgment from a waitress. I got up to go get another beer and while I was gone someone else sat down in my seat. My son came to tell me, and when we got back someone had sat down in his seat as well. It was then I just decided it wasn't worth the trouble and since there isn't any other place in town we rode back without eating anything.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:48 am

People I know try to leave CB by 4:30 to beat the rush!

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:12 pm

Like I said, if you can get to Mineola before 7 you should be OK, it usually takes me 50-55 minutes to get there. It's probably not a bad idea to eat before you go if you can't get their earlier and then just have a few beers when you're down there. Other than the food issue it's a real good time. You don't have to be a Lance Armstrong type to do it either, it's all railroad grade so there's no steep hills. Also, you'll want to have a light on your bike if you're planning to ride back after sunset because it is DARK on the trail.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:22 pm

Can't you go the other six days and get other food I mean it is the "Mineola Steak House" after all?

I thought "Taco Thursday" was just Thursdays special?

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:38 pm

Brad wrote:Can't you go the other six days and get other food I mean it is the "Mineola Steak House" after all?

I thought "Taco Thursday" was just Thursdays special?

I believe they're closed on Sunday, but yes, if you just want to go for a ride and have dinner down there and you don't need the social atmosphere then I'd recommend doing just that. Honestly, the tacos aren't even that good. Maybe we need to get a "Wednesday Burger Ride" started. :D

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:48 pm

Todd Palin: taking the campaign trail to the bike trail. This must be a last ditch effort to garner support for Palin in 2012

S33 · Post by **S33** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 5:59 pm

Is this Taco Ride similar to the Mustache Ride? just playin...I've done it before myself(the Taco Ride)

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:45 am

Another ride that started last fall was the "Extreme Carb Night" at Riverside Grill, all the pasta you can throw down for $7 on every Tuesday. As far as I know, they're still doing that. Nice, easy ride from the Pedestrian bridge.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:25 pm

Uh-oh, somebody's been having a little too much "fun"...

Alcohol targeted on ‘Taco Ride’

Law enforcement cracked down on public drinking on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail Thursday during the famous Thursday night “Taco Ride.”

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said deputies and Council Bluffs police officers monitored the trail by bicycles and a recreational vehicle Thursday for open container violations. No citations were issued, Danker said, but several riders were told to dump their alcoholic beverages on the ground. . . .

Danker said the operation had no connection to the start of RAGBRAI on July 19, but reports of 2,000 people drinking at a pit stop on the trail known colloquially as “Margaritaville,” last week.

“We had complaints and at least one ambulance run for an injury,” Danker said of the July 2 partying. “My understanding was that it was a zoo.” . . .

Many riders knew law enforcement would be present on the trail Thursday. Danker said trail Web sites were informed that officers would be checking the trail and numerous Facebook pages passed on the information. . . .

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:49 am

Better check those hydration backpacks.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:34 pm

I will let you know what I see this week. We have a decent sized group going out.

However the Thursday before the fourth is usually the biggest ride of the year.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:53 pm

Just rolled in to mineola... Eight officers on the way down.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:19 pm

Zero on the way back...

Post by **Brad** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:49 pm

Not too many people tonight... I would say below average.

No police tonight.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:14 am

Brad wrote:Not too many people tonight... I would say below average.

Humidity and heat drops the numbers, plus we're getting into back-to-school, so we're losing all the teachers that let it all hang out during the summer.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:40 am

I heard this morning that after I left someone had a bad wreck. Apparently they had to call an ambulance.

Margaritaville provided a great view of the meteor shower last night.

Goetzinger · Post by **Goetzinger** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:13 am

I do the Taco Ride almost every week. It's been nice since the police were there. The over-the-top rowdy kids seem to have moved on to another venue. It's much more civilized now... if you can call the Taco Ride civilized!

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:16 pm

Deputies keep eye on Taco Ride

As the weather grows cooler, each week brings the Omaha area's free-wheeling cyclists closer to the end of another season of Taco Rides.

This year, the ride had some special guests. Law enforcement officials joined the event, which often takes more than 1,000 fun-seekers from Council Bluffs to Mineola, Iowa, on the Wabash Trace on warm Thursday evenings.

These new cyclists weren't there for the camaraderie or the feel of the wind on their faces as they rolled down the Trace; they were there to make sure Taco Riders understand Iowa liquor laws. . . .

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:24 pm

I received several emails today saying they were going to ticket open containers tonight.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:53 pm

Looks like Malvern wants to cash in on Thursday night crowds by offering a smoother trail to get there....

Pledges needed immediately for Wabash Trace paving

Two short segments of trail within the cities of Malvern and Silver City will be paved next summer, thanks to an award of $450,000 in Federal Stimulus Funding (known as American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).

The Wabash Trace has an opportunity to receive additional ARRA funding as other stimulus projects fall through or have lower bids than estimated. The trail could be awarded an additional $2 million or more. . . .

September pledges or gifts amounting to $32,500 are needed to set the stage for 12 miles of paved trailed between Mineola and Malvern. . .

To give today or pledge support, designate checks for the “Wabash Trace” and send them to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309-2321, go online to http://www.inhf.org and click “Donate Now” or call 1 (800) 475-1846 and ask for Lisa or Anita.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:20 pm

My I need to loose weight "Taco Ride"... Eat a salad and hop on this trail

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:39 pm

Is that your place? If so, it looks pretty nice.

Good choice on TV shows too. Are you still considering applying for OPD or has that ship sailed?

Post by **Brad** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:41 am

Bosco55David wrote:Is that your place? If so, it looks pretty nice.

Good choice on TV shows too. Are you still considering applying for OPD or has that ship sailed?

Yes it is my place, thanks. Another show I watch a lot is This Old House...

No law enforcement for now. I am having way too much fun with photography and I need the flexible schedule I have now.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:48 pm

Keep the money pourin' in, I want to be able to roller-blade all the way to Shenandoah and dine at the converted rail depot there...

Strong local support for Wabash Trace trail improvements

A three-week funding campaign for paving segments of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail found strong local support that will help the trail attract major federal funding. . . .

A flurry of contributions from local individuals raised nearly $10,000 for the effort, and Union Pacific Foundation contributed $5,000. Then a grant of $30,000 from the Iowa West Foundation pushed the fundraising campaign for the trail past its immediate goal. . . .

“It was especially great to see the renewed major commitments by some who were leaders with us in establishing this trail 20 years ago – including the Iowa West Foundation and Union Pacific. None of us wanted this urgent opportunity to slip through our fingers.” . . .

Pledges or donations are still welcome for this work. Funds are still needed for paving costs not covered by federal funds, bridge inspections and repairs where needed, and additional engineering design for trail segments between Malvern and Shenandoah so the trail can compete for more paving grants next year.

“We’re glad to report this project is on track to increase the paved surface between Mineola and Malvern,” said Jerad Getter of the Mills County Conservation Board. “HGM Associates is meeting the DOT requirements, while providing a substantial amount of professional services at no cost to the trail.” . . .

Gifts marked “Wabash Trace” may be given through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation at http://www.inhf.org/wabashgifts.htm or 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309-2321. Gifts will only be used for the Wabash Trace. For more information, contact Hein or O’Gara at INHF, or call 515288-1846. . . .

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:53 pm

Wabash Trace Nature Trail to be featured on IPTV

The Wabash Trace Nature Trail will be featured in an upcoming Iowa Public Television program.

The IPTV special “Iowa’s Simple Pleasures” travels across the state showcasing fun things for Iowans to do, see and taste in Iowa. The program will air as part of IPTV’s “Festival” campaign Monday at 8 p.m.

The program will have a segment on the trail, which runs from Council Bluffs southward to Blanchard on the Iowa-Missouri border. The trace is 63 miles long and is available for bicycling, walking, cross-country skiing and, from Council Bluffs to Mineola, equestrian.

The IPTV segment also includes a portion on the popular Thursday night “Taco Ride” from Council Bluffs to Mineola. . . .

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:59 pm

http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/65 ... rail_iowas

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:27 pm

Mineola linchpin to have new owners

. . . The steakhouse is in a state of flux right now. Howard said he is in the final stages of selling the restaurant, with the new owners expected to take over on April 1.

Howard said the reason for the sale is to spend more time with his wife, Rebecca, and 11-month-old daughter, Emersyn.

“I promised my wife if we ever had children I wouldn’t work 18 hours a day,” Howard said.

He said he expects things to stay the same with the new owners. The “Taco Ride” isn’t going anywhere. . . .

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:54 pm

I did the Taco Ride for the first time in a couple years tonight, and it almost turned out to be a bad decision. The storms started rolling into Mineola just as we were eating, and we barely beat them back to the trailhead. There were still a lot of people heading into town as we were heading out, I'm guessing they didn't have a fun ride back.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:59 am

Bugeater wrote:I did the Taco Ride for the first time in a couple years tonight

Any different with the new ownership?

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:19 am

No noticeable differences, but we didn't stick around too long because of the weather.

ZIPSdetail · Post by **ZIPSdetail** » Mon May 03, 2010 9:19 pm

I actually go on this almost every week. They did some repainting last time I was in there and they are in the works of having live bands play at the bar on thursday now.. Not sure what else they have in mind.

Post by **Brad** » Mon May 03, 2010 9:52 pm

They had live bands last summer.

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Mon May 03, 2010 11:26 pm

Oh, I almost forgot, they did have better beers on ice by the front door this time. Not sure if that's something new this year or not, but they used to only have crappy Miller Lite and Bud up front, you had to go to the bar for anything decent.

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:54 pm

Not sure if anyone here has been doing this, but just a heads up that the Sheriff is going to be patrolling the trail this Thursday. Supposedly it's just going to be for safety issues, there's been a lot of complaints about riders with no lights after dark, and apparently it is state law to have one. So make sure you have your gear in order if you go!

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:46 am

Just like clockwork... Thursday after the Fourth of July and the Sheriff will be doing a special patrol.

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 11:55 pm

Yep, just your typical knee-jerk reaction. It was mayhem on the trail last week though, extremely busy and waaaay too many people were riding without lights. Apparently one guy had a heart attack, went off the trail and was missing all night. He was found dead the next morning. Very sad deal.