The Dallas County Conservation Board has been working on paving various gravel road crossings on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.  They had limited funds available but were able to pave some of them last fall through various donor contributions.  There are eight remaining crossings that will be quite expensive.  Some grants have been obtained, but approximately $25,000 remains.  A challenge grant has been obtained to pay  $2,500 towards the crossings, if Bacoon Ride participants can raise match an additional $2,500.  This will contribute $5,000 total towards the remaining matching funds.
If you have already registered for the Bacoon Ride and want to donate to the trail crossing challenge grant visit http://www.new.iowabicyclecoalition.org/product/rrvtdonation/
If your friends still need to register for the Bacoon Ride, they make a donation when they register.  https://bacoonride.eventbrite.com
This challenge is only good if the first $2,500 is raised from donations.  This is a great opportunity to get a head start on paving the intersections on the RRVT.