I was new to Iowa last summer, and not being much of a bicycle person, had never heard of RAGBRAI, the [Des Moines] Register's Annual Great Bicycle Race Ride Across Iowa. (Don't ask me why they didn't pick a catchier acronym). It's apparently a rather well-known ride, crossing Iowa from west to east on different routes each year. This year, it's heading through my neck of the woods, and bringing with it a big name and a public health message:
Not only will Lance Armstrong be among thousands of other bikers pedaling across Iowa, the seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor plans stops in Coralville and Iowa City.Michelle Milford, a spokeswoman for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, wrote in an e-mail Monday that Armstrong is expected to spend three days in Iowa while participating in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. On July 28, the last day of his stay, Milford said Armstrong plans to speak at a United States Senate field hearing on cancer research funding, which will be organized by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.
The hearing is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer, Milford said. After that, Milford said Armstrong is expected to appear at an afternoon RAGBRAI event in Coralville, the last overnight stop along the seven-day, 440-mile ride from Sergeant Bluff to Muscatine.
I know Harkin is known for his role in founding an institute to investigate "alternative" medicine, but as noted in that link, he's "otherwise sensible," and has campaigned vigorously for increases in NIH funding and for public health in general. He also recently held another field hearing earlier this month during the Special Olympics held in Ames, Iowa, to discuss issues facing Americans with disabilities. Should be an interesting time.
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You site the best! paxil.
Be also on the lookout for Robin Williams, a huge cycling fan and friend of Lance Armstrong's so it's possible he might whiz by. Can't say what Robin's views on NIH funding would be though.
I could be interested in a Ride across Iowa, but not a Race. With Lance participating, my chances would be identically zero.
RAGBRAI is definatly a "ride" and not a race, and a most "colorful" one at that.
I rode about half of RAGBRAI in '03 and it's quite the experience, the endless stream of people on bikes, and they varied attire of many of them, every thing from dress shirts to a gold bikini under a loose mesh shirt.
If you are into cycling I recomend riding it some time.
Philip's right; it's "ride," not "race." I'll change it in the post.
Its actually a drunken ramble more than a ride. I cannot believe how much these youngsters can drink and still get on their bikes. It is like a swath of destruction through an area... (half joking)
It is great fun! Lance could make the entire ride in a day rather than a week.
Last time I rode, it was hot (like today) and the road tar was stiking to the tires. The toughest day in RAGBRAI history. It was one of the longer (distance wise) days too. I haven't been back since.
I do plan on doing it again some day. (Always some day...) It is fun! (But NOT FLAT!)
If you build it, they will come.
RAGBRAI was started by DMR writers John Karras and Donald Kaul, a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.
In other words, from coast to coast.
I've always wanted to participate in RAGBRAI but never got around to it. Maybe i could set it up as a goal for my midlife crisis.
"As a long time bike racer and general rider, it was so refreshing to read about the healthy and fun-filled ride across Iowa (the famous RAGBRAI).
The news was especially encouraging since the good folks in the Hawkeye State seem so resistant to the appalling swindles, tragic deceptions and gross squandering of common sense that characterize the various runs, walks, jogs, rides, quiltings, candlelight vigils, and other theatrical symbols of the evangelical, militaristic and hopelessly misguided "war against AIDS."