Fitness organization bikes into Monticello

     Last week, 14 members of American Sokol traveled through Monticello from Chicago to Cedar Rapids on bicycle. The group stayed at Boulders Inn & Suites and wined and dined downtown at The Jitney on June 21 before leaving early the next morning for the last leg of the trip into Cedar Rapids.

     Sokol was founded in 1862 in what is today the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. The first American Sokol was started in 1865 in St. Louis, Mo.

     Sokol today is an organization that’s “dedicated to the physical, mental, and cultural advancement of its members, the youth and adults that attend its programs, and the local communities they serve. The mission of the American Sokol is to provide fitness and community for individuals and families through physical, educational, cultural and social programs.”

     There are 35 American Sokol clubs today throughout the United States. American Sokol “has been shaping the lives of Olympians, diplomats, artists, athletes, and most importantly, the families in the communities in which they serve.”

     The event, which took over Cedar Rapids and the Czech Village June 22-25, was known as “American Sokol XXIV Slet & Festival.”

     Matt Carlozzi, Chicago, said once the group of 14 started planning their route from Chicago to Cedar Rapids, he contacted Monticello City Administrator Doug Herman for information on local hotels and restaurants. With Boulders on the outskirts of Monticello, Carlozzi said the group needed transportation from the hotel to the downtown area. Herman said City Council member Tom Yeoman secured a big passenger van from Stephen Motors to get the group into Monticello. Several local residents then offered to transport the group back to the hotel later that night.

     They left Chicago on Monday, June 19 and arrived in Cedar Rapids by noon on Thursday, June 22. They averaged about 80 miles a day.

     Every year Sokol holds its mass gathering in a different state. This year, Iowa was the host.

     “We do this every four years,” said Carlozzi. The bicyclists chose their preferred method of transportation to Iowa as a way to raise money for the Sokol youth camp in Chicago. Carlozzi said the camp helps kids build their leadership skills, make friends and stay physically active/fit.

     Well over 700 people of all ages who are part of American Sokol were expected in Cedar Rapids for the four-day event.

     While in Eastern Iowa, the group stopped at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville.

     They loved biking on the Heritage Trail from Dubuque to Dyersville, as well as the scenery. However, they traveled on hilly gravel roads a lot, which wasn’t the easiest to do.

     For more on American Sokol, visit https://american-sokol.org.