Let The Preparations Begin

    For a record-tying seventh time in the 44-year history of the event, Glenwood has been selected to serve as the starting point for RAGBRAI (The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa).

    The nation’s largest and oldest cross-state bicycle ride will begin in Glenwood the weekend of July 23-24. More than 10,000 riders are expected to take part in this year’s 419.9-mile trek across southern Iowa. In addition to Glenwood, overnight stops are planned in Shenandoah, Creston, Leon, Centerville, Ottumwa and Washington. RAGBRAI XLIV will conclude on July 30 in Muscatine.

    “Any time we announce a southern route, people automatically assume it’s going to be extremely hilly and very difficult,” RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz said following Saturday night’s announcement of the 2016 route. “The interesting thing with this route is, the data says it’s not that difficult.”

    Bicyclists who complete the route, will endure a total climb of 18,488 feet, making this year’s ride the 24th flattest in RAGBRAI history. The 419.9-mile route is the third shortest route ever, making this year’s ride the “15th easiest course” in the ride’s history.

    Glenwood previously served as the starting point for RAGBRAI in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1992, 2003 and 2011. Sioux  City is the only other city that can boast of being the starting point for RAGBRAI seven times.

    “This is a great thing for people to come together and build community and showcase our community,” Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda Washburn said.

    Glenwood business owner and bicycling enthusiast Joe Edwards attended Saturday night’s RAGBRAI Route announcement party in Des Moines. Edwards said he was disappointed more Glenwood residents weren’t in attendance at the gathering, but pleased when the city’s name was announced as one of the overnight towns.

    RAGBRAI participants will converge on Glenwood Saturday, July 23, with the ride officially beginning Sunday morning, July 24. Opening ceremonies will take place Saturday evening in Glenwood.

    Washburn noted hosting the event is a massive undertaking and requires 25 weeks of preparation and hundreds of volunteers. The chamber of commerce has already issued a “call for volunteers” who are willing to serve in any capacity before, during or after RAGBRAI’s visit to Glenwood. Individuals, families or organizations interested in volunteering should contact the chamber of commerce by calling 527-3298 or logging onto the chamber’s website at glenwoodia.com.

    Other Mills County and southwest Iowa communities will learn if they’ve been selected as a “pass-through” town when the exact route for RAGBRAI XLIV is announced later this winter. Mineola, Silver City, Henderson and Emerson have served as “pass-through” towns on previous RAGBRAI routes through southwest Iowa.
 

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

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