A new ultra endurance race is scheduled to take place on the rural roads of Northern Iowa, USA in spring 2005. Dubbed "Trans-Iowa presented by Cateye Electronics and Tifosi Optics", by the event's organisers, the race is set to pit a field of 55 competitors against the challenge of crossing the state on gravel roads. The event is scheduled to start in Hawarden on April 24, and finish in Decorah on the following day.
Pass-through towns to gather food and supplies include Orange City, Primghar, Emmetsburg, Algona, Forest City, Osage, and Cresco. The course, over 300 miles long, will require the riders to finish within a 30 hour time limit. Only one stop, in Algona, will be scheduled by race organizers. Riders will be self supported, and follow route instructions given to them on "cue sheets" just prior to the start. Award ceremonies will be held immediately following the race. These will be held in conjunction with the ceremonies for the Decorah Time Trials, an off road time trial event.
