The 50th RAGBRAI is coming to an end in Davenport

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – This year’s RAGBRAI route kicks off in Sioux City on July 23, taking riders through 500 miles of Iowa and gaining a total of more than 16,500 feet of elevation gain.

As the week ends on July 29, cyclists will be getting their wheels wet in Mississippi Davenport. This is the sixth time the annual ride has finished in the city since its inception in 1973.

RAGBRAI Charter Director at the Quad Cities Cycling Club, Dixon Novy is preparing for his 21st RAGBRAI ride.

He is excited to see who will be performing on the tour this year.

“Iowa’s hospitality has to be the best thing about RAGBRAI,” said Novy. “These people are from coast to coast and make new friends every year. You have old friends who come back … The camaraderie with all the different riders that you ride in the country sections, on the country roads, and you talk to the cyclists next to you and talk to him. “

It’s not just cyclists who are riding for the golden anniversary of this ride. Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Harrell, along with other area officials, attended Saturday’s announcement night in Des Moines.

They hope the event will give the region a boost in visibility.

“We have over 120 miles of trails within our system,” Harrell said. “We love the cycling community and do everything we can to raise that profile because the outdoors is so important to building our own destination.

The last stop coincides with the weekend of BIX 7, which means that thousands of people will pass through QC.

“It could be potential guests,” Harrell said. “They could be potential people who are thinking about working or maybe making a strategic investment in your community from a business perspective.”

Nov said anywhere from 300 to 400 QCBC members will attend this year. He expects it to be the biggest adventure yet.

“[It’s an] crazy experience,” said Nov. “I learned more about Iowa’s different towns and communities at RAGBRAI than I ever did about Iowa history. [class] a few years ago, he returned 50 years ago.”

Registration for the 50th RAGBRAI is now open.

QCBC will host a RAGBRAI workshop for newcomers on March 4 at the Eastern Avenue branch of the Davenport Public Library. It runs from 1:30pm to 4:00pm The clinic is free and open to anyone looking for training or maintenance tips before traveling this summer.

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