Ames Wraps up RAGBRAI® 2008

9/11/2008 12:00:00 AM

Ames’ CYcling Country co-chairs recently met with The Des Moines Register’s RAGBRAI® team to review Ames’ 2008 event. RAGBRAI representatives were very pleased with the collaboration between the Ames community and Iowa State University in hosting this year’s group. Ames made a memorable impression as they welcomed and entertained over 20,000 RAGBRAI participants during their overnight stay, helping to make the 36th annual statewide bicycle tour one to remember. Relive the day’s events by visiting Ames’ online CYcling Country photo gallery at www.visitames.com or www.amesragbrai.com.

Highlights of Ames’ CYcling Country event included:


  • The day started off with a grand entrance. Riders were greeted in style as they entered the Iowa State campus on Stange Road between Lagomarcino and Kildee Hall with a large Welcome to CYcling Country archway that also served as a misting station, refreshing the riders as they pedaled through. Community members and local celebrities, including Iowa State’s own mascot CY were on hand to personally welcome and congratulate the riders as they arrived.

  • Riders also enjoyed the opportunity to experience some of the beauty and the history of Iowa State University as they pedaled the scenic route through Iowa State’s award-winning central campus.

  • CYcling Country events culminated with a fabulous evening festival featuring local entertainers; visits from Lance Armstrong and First Lady Mari Culver; fireworks; and awesome concert performances by rock legend, Styx and Iowa’s own, The Nadas, at the Iowa State Center.


A presentation of the funds raised for the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund was made during the meeting. Total contributions were estimated at $28,000, with over a third of the donations coming from the CYcling Country Festival. The funds will benefit Iowans affected by the floods and storms of 2008.

The Embrace Iowa 2008 Disaster Fund was established by Governor Chet Culver, key business leaders and The Des Moines Register to receive contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations to benefit Iowans who experienced significant hardships during the storms and floods of 2008. For more information about the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund, please visit www.embraceiowa.org.

RAGBRAI is an Iowa tradition celebrating the sights, the sounds, the friends, the food, and the hospitality of the warm and friendly people of Iowa. As the oldest, longest and largest recreational bicycle touring event in the world, RAGBRAI annually attracts participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries. For more information about RAGBRAI, visit www.ragbrai.org.
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For more information regarding RAGBRAI or to submit a news item, contact:
Allyson Walter
allysonw@amescvb.com