News : RAGBRAI: Riders bring unique stories

Brendan Turner's drone captured this photo of Vinton during RAGBRAI.

Mount Auburn welcomed riders with this unique silo.

Gator Crossing: This attraction just north of Vinton inspired many to stop for photos.

Shellsburg celebrated the 100th birthday of its historic bridge by offering cake to riders.

Riders signed this birthday card in Shellsburg, in honor of the 100th year of the bridge.

For many of the RAGBRAI riders who passed through Vinton, Mount Auburn and Shellsburg last Thursday, the annual bicycle ride across Iowa is an opportunity for them to raise awareness about an issue that is important to them. For others, it’s a chance to ride in tribute of someone facing an illness, or a memorial to someone who has recently died. For others, it’s a chance to reach a state-wide audience to listen to their concerns about issues like bike safety. And for many more, it’s simply a chance to have fun with old friends while meeting new people from all over the world.

Local residents who stopped to wander among the cycles and cyclists saw lots of messages on the shirts of the riders – messages those riders were very glad to explain to strangers.

“Mo-Kan-Do” read one shirt on a rider in line at Pizza Ranch. She explained that the group is an effort among Missouri and Kansas riders to raise awareness and funds for MS research.

Many other teams had names indicating they were riding to raise awareness of cancer, Parkinson’s or many other diseases.

Others had shirts promoting community causes. Team B.O.B (Build Our Ballparks) members wore green and white cycling shirts to announce their efforts to build baseball fields for Iowa children. Bob refers to Bob Hellman, who started the organization. His grandson, Bob Hellman III, was among riders who stopped early Thursday morning in Mount Auburn.

A woman in Vinton also had a shirt for a Team Bob. But this Bob, Bob Stout, was a grandfather who recently died of cancer.

Many riders simply had fun names. Team Sass. Team "Ah, Jeez" chose that name simply to represent the reaction of riders to road hazards such has flat tires and mechanical problems. The woman on 4th Street in Vinton who was holding a “Team Magical Unicorn” sign said yes, all unicorns are magical.

Team Donner Party also rode through Vinton. Their uniquely and alarmingly historical name has gained media attention from year to year, but so far, each cycle in the team still has a rider when the ride ends at the Mississippi River.

“Cycling for two,” read the blue shirt of a woman a few months pregnant. She explained that she has already ridden part of previous RAGBRAIs with her two older children.

The riders from “Books, Bytes and Beyond,” representing the West Liberty Library also stopped in Vinton, where its members greeted Vinton City Administrator Chris Ward, who had the same job there a few years ago.

“It’s the law,” read the back of one brightly colored shirt. The rider pointed to his sleeve, which had the words “3-foot-rule.” He explained that in many states, the law requires that motorists give cyclists a 3-foot-wide berth when they pass cycles on the highway.

Yet, he adds, “It’s not the law in Iowa.”

Thanks to local volunteers

"We are thrilled with how well last Thursday went,"said VU Director Melissa Schwan. "I couldn’t have asked for a better day."

Schwan offered this summary and words of thanks to the many volunteers:

I would say we were maybe a little surprised at how many riders came through so early. We had riders asking for breakfast when we were expecting to be a lunch stop. Thankfully, we were able to take care of them! By mid-afternoon, many of our food vendors were sold out! A few riders were still rolling through as we were working to clean up after 5 p.m. A lot of our volunteers heard the riders remarking how beautiful our community is and how clean everything was. There were also comments heard that we were the best pass through town so far and questions about Vinton ever being an overnight stop in the future. That definitely gives us something to think about! Overall, I would say RAGBRAI was a huge success!

All of this wouldn’t have been possible without our great group of volunteers! I am extremely thankful for everybody’s hard work and dedication to making this such a great success for our community!

See our Vinton Today RAGBRAI photo albums below

Mount Auburn

Vinton

Shellsburg