LeClaire unveils its logo for RAGBRAI

Fri April 04 2008
Posted Apr 4, 2008
6,509

By Mary Louise Speer LeCLAIRE, Iowa — Imagine Buffalo Bill Cody tugging bicyclists across the state of Iowa on a rope. The LeClaire RAGBRAI Committee proudly unveiled the city’s logo and theme of “Spokes and Ropes” for the RAGBRAI XXXVI bicycle ride Thursday during a town hall meeting at the LeClaire Fire Station. Organizers are preparing to welcome over 20,000 bicyclists, supporters and spectators on July 26. “Tonight is really exciting as it really gets us on our way to RAGBRAI,” said Jessica Waytenick, publicity/media relations and a staffer at Quad-Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. RAGBRAI, or the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, runs July 20-26 and LeClaire is the ending city on the 471-mile route. The logo combines images of the event and state of Iowa together with LeClaire’s Tug Fest and native son Buffalo Bill Cody. Several graphic design artists submitted designs and the committee selected the logo designed by Rick Reed of Adesign, LeClaire. Reed, an artist since his earliest years, is pleased about LeClaire’s selection as the place where weary cyclists dip tires in the Mississippi River. As a young man, he worked under Quad-City artist Ward Olson at Advertising Communication Davenport. “To see something come to fruition for our community after pursuing RAGBRAI for a couple of years, we’re thrilled that it’s reality. We’re hoping that about every five years we see them stop here,” Reed said. The final day’s ride on July 26 takes bicyclists from Tipton, Iowa to Eldridge and ends at the LeClaire riverfront levee. Many riders are expected to show up in LeClaire on Friday, July 18 and spend the night, Beth Payne, committee co-chairman of QCCVB, said. Saturday morning they’ll head out on motor coaches to Missouri Valley, Iowa, the starting town on the ride. The LeClaire committee is looking for volunteers to help with the event. “We welcome with open arms anyone in the community who wants to help,” said Heather Witters, in charge of volunteers. “Any volunteer opportunity is open to anyone.” Pulling together is critical to staging a successful event. “We have to show 20,000 people what this town is all about. It’s beautiful but we’ve got to make it bigger,” said Jim Mika, communications chairman. “We’re very excited about the theme and logo choice. I think it’s a wonderful identity for us to build on so that people will come again and visit,” said Pam Ellis, co-chairman and vice president of visitor services for QCCVB. For more information about volunteering or the event go to: LeClaireRAGBRAI.com. The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.