Break the Cycle 200: Des Moines

Break The Cycle

What is Break The Cycle?

Break The Cycle uses bike rides, run relays, and other endurance events to create awareness and raise funds to help those caught in the horrible reality of human trafficking in the U.S. and around the World.

The problem is global with 40+ mil entrapped in modern forms of slavery, including sex slavery. In the US, a child is exploited for sex trafficking every 2 min (US Department of Justice). It’s around the world and in our backyard.

Our participants are signing up to join the fight against modern slavery by giving voice to the issue and raising funds that help rescue and restore real victims in the US and around the world.

We ask that you raise a minimum of $500 and every dollar raised will go straight to help our efforts to end modern slavery. Don’t worry, we will give you resources and a platform to raise your support online.

We do tough things for people in tough places.

200 Miles // One Purpose // End Modern Slavery

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Event Route

Starting Line
We begin our 200-mile trek with wheels rolling at 5:00 am at the Valley Church Parking lot, 4343 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA.
Route Stops
Adel – 18 mi
Rippey- 49 mi
Scranton – 76 mi
Lunch – Lake City – 104 mi
Lytton – 120 mi
Laurens – 150 mi
Lost Island Lake – 177 mi
Terril – 189 mi
Okoboji – 202
Finish Line - Arnolds Park, IA
We’ll finish with a grand celebration at the finish of the ride where we started at Arnold’s Park (41-29 Lake St, Arnolds Park, IA 51331)

Event Schedule

5:30 pm Pre-Ride Dinner Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

5:00 am Friday, June 23rd, 2023

While the start time is fixed, our schedule will be flexible to make adjustments for rest and other needs.

5:00am Starting Line
We begin bright and early and make sure to show up at 4:30 am to have be ready with wheels rolling at 5:00 am.
Midday - Lunch Time
At the 100 mile mark we will stop to eat for about an hour to rest up and hit the road again (subject to change as is needed).
6:00pm-ish Finish Line
Depending on the pace of the ride, we will end sometime around 6 pm – 7 pm.
Overnight and Transportation
BTC 200 will assist with overnight accommodations for our cyclists and volunteers. Rooms are provided by local community members that have opened up their lake homes.

Volunteer / Register / Donate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your ride philosophy?

THIS IS A RIDE and not a race. Our three previous years we have maintained an average speed of 18.2 mph throughout the ride. For those of you with power meters, we maintain an average wattage of 180w. There is the occasional time when the wattage climbs over 200 but not much more. It’s very conversational. The goal of this ride is to band together with our fellow sisters and brothers to show strength, endurance and solidarity for those who are suffering all over the world at these horrific crimes.
It is a NO DROP RIDE. Although some riders may drop back from time to time, we have a sweeper car that will drop back and pick that rider up. The rider may choose to rest until the next designated stop where they can decide to join the group again or remain in the sweeper car. We want everyone to share in the pride, accomplishment and joy at the finish TOGETHER.

How Fast do you ride?

0 to 250 Watts of power output for 200 miles with an average of 180W (180W on flat ground with zero wind = 18mph)

What gear do I need to bring?

Bike(s) and all gear needed for your bike(s) including spare tires
Blanket or towels (2) to protect bike in transit back to West Des Moines (Not needed in 2020)
Water Bottles
Change of clothes
Personal hygiene products
Pillow, sleeping bag/bedding, inflatable mattress (not needed in 2020)
Special nutrition other than items provided by BTC200

What nutrition should I prepare?

BTC 200 provides complete nutrition and hydration for the ride. Only bring extra nutrition for very specific dietary needs.

At each designated stop nutrition will be ready for you including Gu-Shots, Salt & Nut Rolls, Cliff Bars, Bonk Breaker Bars, Gu-Packs, Gatorade, and other various items.

Bring at least two water bottles that you can use to refill at the stops. We will have extra bottles in the trailer full of water and gatorade that you’ll have access to.

One of the most important facets to the ride, (besides training), is nutrition. You should plan to consume between 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour (or 120 to 240 calories). As the duration of the ride increases you need to increase these amounts to 45 – 90 grams of carbs or 180 – 360 calories per hour. Your caloric intake should be through a combination of liquid calories and solid calories. There will be a stop for lunch at the 100 mile mark.

What are the after ride activities?

The ride will finish at Arnold’s park, 37 Lake St, Arnolds Park, IA 51331. We’ll have the opportunity to relax, eat some food, and just recount the day’s events.

Saturday morning breakfast will be at First Presbyterian Church Spirit Lake, 3501 Hill Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 – 8 am – 9 am.

To catch a ride on the bus, show up at 8:30 AM, at First Presbyterian Church Spirit Lake. The bus will leave at 9:00 AM sharp.

What are the accommodations after the ride?

BTC200 provides a charter bus to return on Saturday.
BTC200 does not provide overnight accommodations, however we are willing to help coordinate any known options.
Upon arriving at our finish there will be food and beverages.
BTC200 does not encourage the finishers to ride back, in a car or a bike, the day of the event.

What happens if there is bad weather?

If wind speed is sustained at 20 mph or more, and is a head or head-cross, then we will:

Evaluate wind
1. How long it will be in that direction? If it is a sustained wind for more than half the day or lasting until 12 pm noon,
2. Then Plan B is voted upon by the board.

Heat

If the heat index for the day of the ride is greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit,
Then Plan B is voted upon by the board.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

If there is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for any portion of the course,
Then Plan B is voted upon by the board.

Plan B – Decided upon by the board based on available information.

Evaluate forecasted wind and heat for the day of the ride not less than 12hrs before scheduled departure.

Adjust departure time not more than (1) hours +/- from scheduled day of departure.
Consider flipping direction of ride and delay departure time by 24hrs.
1. Travel to Okoboji on the scheduled day of departure, sleep at scheduled location, then ride Saturday to Des Moines.

Evaluate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings along course 1hr before scheduled departure.

Adjust departure time not more than (1) hours +/- from scheduled day of departure.

Adjust course to potentially avoid severe weather.
Consider flipping direction of ride and delay departure time by 24hrs.
1. Travel to Okoboji on the scheduled day of departure, sleep at scheduled location, then ride Saturday to Des Moines.

Break The Cycle

What is Break The Cycle?

Event Route

Starting Line

Route Stops

Finish Line - Arnolds Park, IA

Event Schedule

5:30 pm Pre-Ride Dinner Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

5:00 am Friday, June 23rd, 2023

5:00am Starting Line

Midday - Lunch Time

6:00pm-ish Finish Line

Overnight and Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in Touch

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