While bike riders on RAGBRAI are known to strike up multiple conversations with other participants, biking enthusiasts are asked to do the complete opposite this Wednesday night in Charles City.
Organizer Bob Krueger says the annual “Ride of Silence” honors Charles City-area bicyclists killed after being struck by vehicles, which has been too frequent in recent years.
The most recent victim was Ellen Bengston, who died in August of 2020 after being hit by a pickup south of Charles City along Shadow Avenue, north of 240th Street. Also being honored are Bob Philips, killed in 2016, and Brian Lauterbach, killed in 2014.
Krueger says the event is also an effort to educate bicyclists and motorists on how to co-exist on the roads.
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW