Meet the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Board Members
Rose Willey-Farver – Board President
For Rose, cycling has never been just one thing. It’s sport and adventure, fitness and transportation, community and connection, and sometimes, a test of just how far she can go.
An accomplished endurance and ultra-distance cyclist, Rose has completed 13 RAGBRAIs and competed in criterium, road and gravel races throughout the Midwest. In 2022, she qualified for Race Across America by completing the Natchez Trace 444—444 nonstop miles in 26 hours, 50 minutes. She has also raced 631 miles self-supported to Canada and back and twice crewed for ultra-cyclist Heather Poskevich during Race Across the West and Race Across America.
Some of those miles have also been ridden for a greater purpose. Rose has completed the Break the Cycle 200 seven times, riding 200 miles in a single day from Des Moines to Okoboji to raise funds and awareness to help stop human trafficking. She also served on the board of Break the Cycle/ Hope for Justice foundation and led its 100-mile Challenge Ride for five years.
Some of Rose’s most meaningful miles have been much closer to home. She biked her kids to school, rides for fitness and transportation, and loves exploring Iowa by bike. A favorite ride often starts with finding a road or trail she hasn’t ridden before and figuring out how to connect it to an old favorite.
That sense of discovery has given Rose an appreciation for what Iowa’s trails and thousands of miles of gravel roads can mean for communities. A bicycle turns the space between towns into part of the destination, creating opportunities to discover local businesses, attractions and communities along the way. She sees tremendous potential for bicycling to continue growing travel and tourism across Iowa.
Rose continues to train, compete and challenge herself while appreciating cycling just as much for the everyday joy of riding. She participates in nearly every form of cycling—and with eight bikes, she has the collection to prove it.
Her passion for cycling led her to the Iowa Bicycle Coalition first as a donor, then as a District Leader and eventually to the Board of Directors. After serving as Board Secretary, Rose became Board President in 2026. She also serves as President of Velorosa Cycling Team, a Central Iowa women’s cycling team.
From biking her children to school to riding hundreds of miles through the night, Rose’s experiences have shown her just how many roles a bicycle can play in a person’s life. That perspective now shapes her leadership at IBC and her commitment to making Iowa a place where more people can ride safely, explore freely and discover where a bicycle can take them.
Pat Dunn Drees – Board Vice President
Pat joined the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Board two years ago, following several years as a supporter of the organization. As Vice President, Pat works closely with the Executive Committee and contributes to a variety of task forces, bringing both professional expertise and a personal passion for bicycling to the role.
For Pat, bicycling is a way to get people outdoors, encourage active and healthy lifestyles, and create meaningful connections to the places where we live and spend time. Pat encourages others to get involved with the Iowa biking community through events like the Iowa Bike Expo and Trails + Bike Summit, which offer great opportunities to connect, learn, and share ideas.
A landscape architect by training, Pat has built a long career around integrating trails and bicycle facilities into communities. Serving on the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Board has provided an opportunity to bring that professional experience together with personal values and give back to an organization that supports the future of bicycling in Iowa.
When it comes to riding, Pat’s favorite is road cycling. Some of Pat’s most memorable rides have been shared with family and friends on RAGBRAI, but a full-moon ride at the High Trestle Trail Bridge is hard to beat.
Dixon Novy – Board Member
Dixon has been a longtime supporter of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, with 20 years as a member, six years as a supporter, and two years serving on the Board of Directors. His commitment to making bicycling safer and more accessible for Iowans is at the heart of his involvement. Dixon joined the board to gain a firsthand understanding of how he could better support cyclists and share that knowledge with others. For the past five years, he has also served as a District Leader in eastern Iowa, giving him a direct role in bicycle advocacy and outreach across his community.
When it comes to IBC events, Dixon’s favorite is the Bacoon Ride. He especially enjoys the opportunity to meet new people while reconnecting with friends and family who come together to enjoy the ride.
Since retiring, Dixon has spent much of his time exploring bicycle rides and routes across the United States. He is currently a member of the Tall Dog Bicycle Club and continues to find plenty of adventure on two wheels. But when asked about his most memorable cycling experience, there’s no hesitation: riding RAGBRAI for 20 consecutive years — “HANDS DOWN!”
