Bicycle, Blues & BBQ Festival

03/16/2021

It is with mixed emotions that we write to inform you we’ve made the very difficult decision to retire from the Bicycle, Blues and BBQ Festival and bring the event to a close.

BBBQ started in 2004 as a small, grass-roots event centered on a bike race and a bandshell. Although we did not realize it at the time, our 15th anniversary event in 2019 would be our last. To our astonishment, BBBQ had grown to one of the most successful events of the Clear Lake summer, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the US. No one has been more surprised than us. And oh, what fun we have had!

But as someone once said, “Life is like riding a bike - to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” And the time has come for us to do just that.

We are grateful beyond measure for your support of our event as a racer, blues enthusiast or a volunteer. Your friendship and love of our festival will always be cherished.

In closing, we invite you to reflect on your favorite BBBQ Festival moment. We’ve been doing a lot of that lately and the memories always bring a smile.

Here’s to the ride,
Tim Putnam, BBBQ Festival Director
Matt Curtis, BBBQ Race Director

11/20/2020

Let's help support this great effort to grow the cycling family through diversity and inclusion! Please consider supporting the Friends of Stamina Racing Collective.

11/06/2020

Congrats to Ragan and Lauren Weigel!

MEET THE JUNIORS!

Ragan Weigel (USA) 15-16
Lauren Weigel (USA) 15-16

"We got started in endurance sports at a young age because our parents ran triathlons. They took us to our first multi-sport race when we were three years old in the snow. We had our fastest bike split ever on our princess pink & purple bikes with training wheels. We competed in triathlons for about 6 years. We had a teammate who did both cycling and triathlons and she said, “go to this race (Bicycle, Blues & BBQ) in Iowa.” We went and absolutely loved it. Former teammates introduced us to cyclocross three years ago & we found a love for racing in the mud. We love riding and training in the cold. Our fat bikes get a good workout during the winter in Minnesota. We hope to one day, in the near future, complete a winter ultra fat bike race. This is our fifth year doing cycling.

We have similar goals to race for a collegiate program away from the -50 degree winters. It would be amazing to go to the same program when that time comes. We have always had the dream of racing our bikes in Europe."

"I'm looking forward to being on Team Twenty20 because the team is a very strong supporter of women's cycling. I'm very excited to become a better and stronger rider with the team. " - Ragan

"I'm looking forward to being on the team because of the great female mentors within the team. I am hopeful that they will help me reach my goals in cycling." - Lauren

07/12/2020

It takes a lot of people to pull off a three day festival weekend that includes bands, bike races, craft beer festival and food vendors!

Without all the organizers, volunteers and hired professionals events like this just would not happen.

Thank you just does not seem to be enough for all they do!

07/12/2020

Would have been a perfect day for a road race!

07/11/2020

07/11/2020

One of the best events of the weekend is watching the kid race and perhaps one of the most competitive non-races we do! SO FUN!

North Iowa Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center
Lake Time Brewery
Wayne's Ski and Cycle

07/11/2020

The Brews on the Beach (BoB) hosted by Lake Time Brewery has become a highlight of the BBBQ Festival weekend. BoB has one of the best views of any beer festival in Iowa with the lake in the background.

07/09/2020

To be honest, it is pretty hard to post videos like this as it makes you realize how much fun we won't be having this weekend. But on the other side of the coin we can reflect back on all the the great times we've had these past 15 years!

Produced by our good friend Dave Mable, thank you!
North Iowa Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center
Lake Time Brewery
Wayne's Ski and Cycle

A shout out to Monson and Sons Trucking and it was with their investment into Bicycle, Blues & BBQ Festival that made this event what it is today!