Rain fails to dampen GRRRR on Iron Belle

IRONWOOD - Even though it wasn't the warm, sunny day organizers hoped for; a decent crowd gathered in the wet weather Sunday to participate in the ninth annual Go Ride R Range Ride bike ride.

"We had 55 (riders). Some started the ride, some bailed out, some came to eat," organizer Jim Mildren joked. "But it was 55 riders on a pretty wet day."

The ride started at Ironwood's Depot Park, using Aurora and Hurley's Silver Street to get the non-motorized trailhead at the Montreal River in Hurley before getting on the Iron Belle Trail. Once on the trail, riders biked to Bessemer before turning around and taking the trail back to Depot Park.

While there was sporadic rain before and during the ride, Mildren said the heavy rains started on the ride back from Bessemer.

"It was a good ride to Bessemer and half way back, and then the heavens opened up and we were doused," Mildren said.

While there was a planned potluck at the Depot Park pavilion, the weather forced it to be moved into the nearby Cold Iron Brewing.

With the Gogebic Range Health Foundation matching any funds raised, Mildren said early estimates were the ride raised between $750 and $800.

Mildren said the plan is to use the money to purchase a sign for the Depot Park regarding the history of the park and the trail.

"When we did the first (Iron Belle Trail) grant we had signs in there, but we didn't have enough money," Mildren said. "What we really want is a sign that has the picture of the viaduct, has a picture of the round table, has a picture of the old railroad trains and tells people about that."

He thanked the area businesses and community members for supporting the ride, and the Hurley Police Department and Ironwood Public Safety Department for providing an escort for the part of the ride on local roads.

"The people were beeping the horn and waiving, it was exciting," Mildren said.