For 31 years and counting, it’s the toughest 10 miles in cycling. The 31st Shrunken Nut Ride will take place on 2/14/26 starting at PodunK Bar and Grill on Main Street in Panama. From there we will head to Troy’s Place and Farmhand Brewing Company in Earling. Then it’s back to Panama to complete the tour at Norma Jean’s and/or PodunK Bar and Grill and/or Bent Rim Brewery.
If you are the adventurous type, Lonely Oak Distillery is not too far off the route. Please check the day of the ride to confirm that Lonely Oak is open to visitors on 2/14/26.
As always, please use good judgement on the ride. Please be respectful of all those working at the establishments we are visiting as well as to traffic on the roads and all other riders.
There is no entry fee for this ride. Please keep an eye out for donation jars for Shelby County Trails. Riders are encouraged to make a donation to help fund Phase 2 & 3 of our construction project. Phase 2 is currently under construction, please feel free to check it out south of Panama.
We will provide unique pieces for you to pick from at our “Junk Draft” to be held on February 22, 2026. The “Junk Draft” will be held at Bent Rim Brewery @ 21 Main Street in Panama, Iowa. Doors open at 1:00 PM and the draft will begin at 2:30 PM. Refreshments will be served. The items you select in the draft will be the “starter kit” for your project. Study items available and choose carefully. The goal is for you to create a “fundraiser-worthy” project that will be sold by auction at our Shelby County Trails Steak Sandwich Supper and Live Auction on March 29, 2026. All proceeds will go to Shelby County Trails.
1.) Entry Fee: $20 per team (per project) Teams can be made up of 1 to 4 people. You can enter more than one project, but you will need to indicate this at the draft and will be assigned a draft spot for each project. Entry Fee will be collected at the draft.
2.) You must select 5 pieces from our junk pile to be used in your project. Draft order will be determined by drawing numbers and teams will select one item per round. Draft order will be reversed for each round until all teams have selected 5 items. At that point, the draft is over. Selection of any remaining junk items may be made at that time. Donations to Shelby County Trails will be welcomed for additional items selected.
3.) You must use at least 3 of the 5 items selected in your project.
4.) You may add as little or as much of your own junk/material to your project.
5.) You may cut, clean, weld, sand, glue, bolt, bend or paint – you name it – in any fashion, to complete your project.
6.) Return your finished project to Bent Rim Brewery on March 15, 2026 between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. If you are unable to return your project at this time, please contact Patrick Stessman at 402-639-3729 to coordinate your return. Although it may be tempting, we ask that you do not keep your finished project. You may keep your project if you bid on it and have the winning bid at the auction. (Remember – this is a fundraiser!)
7.) To the winner! $100 and bragging rights will go to the team whose project brings in the highest final bid on the auction at the Shelby County Trails Steak Sandwich Supper and Live Auction on March 29, 2026. A $25 bonus will be paid to the winner if a bike part(s) or walker/runner apparel is used in the project or if the project has a bike/walk/run theme. If you enter more than one project, they will be considered separately. Invite your friends to come bid and bid high. Not only will they go home with a cool item, they will also be aiding in the fundraising for Shelby County Trails.
8.) Shelby County Trails Steak Sandwich Supper and Live Auction. This event will be held on March 29, 2026 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Panama. Doors open at 3:00 PM. Steak Sandwiches will be served from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM and the Live Auction begins at 6:00 PM. The finished projects along with other items will be auctioned off at this event.
9. Photos from the 2025 Junk Draft and finished projects turned in last year are being posted below. Please check them out, we had some awesome items. Also pictured below are items from our 2025 Junk Draft.
Ballpark to Ballpark Trail 