Missouri Valley gets RAGBRAI '08

Fri January 25 2008
Posted Jan 25, 2008
5,475

By: Pete Graham, Editor Well, dip those wheels in the Big Mo. For the fourth time since 1981, Missouri Valley has been selected as the starting community for the 2008 Des Moines "Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)," take-off point, July 20. Missouri Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Snyder said, "This an exciting day for Missouri Valley. RAGBRAI is a great event! It draws people from all over the United States and the world. This will be the fourth time it has started here. The first three starts were in 1981, 1991, and 1997. Besides being a great event, it is an economic windfall for the community. It's a lot of work, but the end result is worth it." Snyder said the designation would not have been possible without cooperation of the Harrison County Fair Board. They agreed early on to move the fair dates so Missouri Valley could apply to be the starting city. The Mayor and City Council furnished the Chamber with a letter of support back in March of 2007 to go with the application packet, Snyder said. In 1991, the city became the starting point on the 10th anniversary of its inaugural hosting of the state's most popular event. RAGBRAI brings thousands of people to town for at least two days and provides major opportunities for local non-profit (and profit) organizations and businesses to make a lot of money serving the cyclists, their families and their crews, along with folks who just come for the spectacle. FAIR FOLLOWS Parenthetically,the hosting of RAGBRAI will kick off an important milestone for Harrison Countians. This year will be the 150th presentation of the Harrison County Fair, July 22-27, and the board has a number of major surprises for fair-goers scheduled. OTHER RAGBRAI TOWNS The Register has selected seven other Iowa towns to host bicyclists through the ride's conclusion, July 26. Overnight towns, or stopping points at the end of each day during the week-long ride, are: Harlan, Jefferson, Ames, Tama-Toledo, North Liberty, Tipton and Le Claire. The ride is 471 miles and is in its 36th year as the single most popular event of the summer.