CLINTON —
River Bend Bicycle Club members are gearing up for this year’s Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa that begins Sunday.
Three buses of 163 bikers total are departing this morning for the seven-day ride across the state, starting in Sioux Center.
The demand was so high, the club had to implement a waiting list for the trip, according to local RAGBRAI Coordinator John Bonte.
“With such a big group, our motto has always been: ‘Don’t be late, we don’t wait,’” Bonte said.
Preparations for the trip were made as early as December by Bonte, who has organized the bike club’s trip for the last three years.
With the journey ending right in Clinton, local bicyclists will be able to enjoy the amenities of friends’ homes along the way.
Club member Steve Tubbs of Delmar will provide drinks and portable restrooms for riders at his home. Another member, Gary Mulholland, is planning to have a party at his house along the route.
While 50 of the riders are members of the club, they come from a wide variety of locations. Many of the members are from the Gateway area, but there are members spread out far and wide, from Georgia to Tennessee, Texas to New York, Canada and more. Meeting up with new and old friends is a favorite part for many of the riders.
“Even though they are from far away, we really get to know these folks,” Bonte said. “The socialization and renewing of friendships is one of the best parts of RAGBRAI.”
Being welcomed by the different communities along the route is also a highlight of the trip, according to Member Arlyn Vander Eide, who has completed RAGBRAI with his wife, Mary Sue, seven times. The couple have been members of the bicycle club since 1980.
“The hospitality of towns is great,” Vander Eide said. “They really treat you well. It’s great to see friends you have made in the past and to meet new ones.”
RAGBRAI will celebrate 40 years of riding this year and is the oldest, largest and longest touring bicycle ride in the world.
Clinton
Related Photos
-
Nearly 1,000 RAGBRAI riders had already staked their spots by 7:30 p.m. Friday in Clinton’s Riverview Park. Riders and residents alike enjoyed music from the Slough Boys at the Riverview Park Band Shell during Finally Friday. Clinton police estimate nearly 2,000 riders will have camped in the park Friday night before being bused to Sioux Center to begin the ride. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald
Discussion
Local bicyclists ready for the road
RAGBRAI XL kicks off tomorrow in Sioux Center, ends Saturday in Clinton
- Clinton
-
-
Volunteers sought in Clinton County
CLINTON -- Clinton County Habitat for Humanity is searching for volunteers to serve as advocates for a new Habitat family.
-
River Kings roll at home
Clinton improved to 2-0 with a 9-1 win against Dubuque Senior on Friday in its home opener of the high school baseball season.
-
Clean play key for Camanche
Camanche limited its mistakes and took advantage for a 4-2 win against Clinton on Friday, giving coach Erin Schlotfeldt a win in her debut as coach.
-
Council interviews first of two city administrator finalists
The Clinton City Council spent an hour and a half questioning city administrator finalist Ben Benson during an interview Friday afternoon.
-
'Now I can talk to anyone'
CLINTON — On his first day of school in America, Gaspar Raymundo Lopez was on the verge of tears. The Clinton High School junior moved nearly 3,000 miles from Guatemala to Clinton in 2010.
- County talks anti- nepotism policy, vehicle guidelines CLINTON -- The Clinton County Board of Supervisors this week discussed possible human resources policies. Human Resources Director Lynn Tibbetts introduced a rough draft of an anti-nepotism policy for the county. This policy would prevent a family me
-
Earthen Treasures: Vendors and shoppers ready for farmers market
CLINTON -- Jean Morgan spends more than 10 hours a week weeding, planting and tending to 2-acre plot of land just outside of Camanche.
-
Bucket brigade to benefit Red Cross
The Fulton Kiwanis Club will work to assist the Gateway Area Chapter of the American Red Cross disaster relief fund.
-
CVB director hiring announced
A new director has been hired to lead the Clinton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
-
City creates demolition list
City officials are looking at different properties that need to be demolished throughout the city and soon will consider a new ordinance they hope will deter the need for future nuisance building demolition.
- More Clinton Headlines
-
