Jacobson and some friends in the Fort Dodge area who share a common love of mountain biking have developed a trail or two in their day. That work has led to the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Biking League visiting Webster County today.

One-hundred and four youths will race along the Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Park located by the banks of the Des Moines River on the city’s northwest side. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., competition will be held in the age groups of elementary, middle school, junior varsity, and varsity. The action kicks off the ISMTB 2025 season, which features six events across the Hawkeye State through May and June.

The league includes teams from Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Muscatine, North Scott County and the Quad Cities.

“My enjoyment of mountain biking goes back into the 1980s, 1989 to be exact,” Jacobson said. “I had originally wanted to buy a dirt bike or motorcycle, but it seemed too dangerous with a young family at home.

-Submitted file photo
Fort Dodge Mountain Bike Club President Ron Jacobson enjoys one of the trails in Fort Dodge in 2020.

“I opted for a mountain bike, and I quickly enjoyed it,” he added. “I found some trails in the area and wound up not just riding in Iowa but also Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I did compete a little bit, too, but I stuck with just riding for fun.”

Jacobson and the Fort Dodge group have not just been involved in creating Lizard Creek Mountain Bike Park. They were also part of the former Oleson Park course.

“We’ve hosted a few races in the area,” he said. “We even had a state championship out there. However, those trails are long gone.”

“The big goal is having people enjoy riding trails and mountain biking leisurely,” he added. “This weekend’s event is a bonus. It would be great to do this again at some point. We will see how it goes. We may even try and get some local races going. It all comes down to promoting the city and county through our trails.”