A little bit of Grinnell Anticipation

Wed, Jul 27, 2011 | by RAGBRAI

ALLEMAN – It’s an Iowa homecoming for three RAGBRAI riders, excited to hit Grinnell, Thursday.

Andy Strauss, 51 who now resides in Pennsylvania said he hasn’t been to the corn state in since 1987. This ride is special for him and his two companions because they’ll finally return as alum to their campus – Grinnell College.

“It’s a special, special place,” Strauss said. “It’s a very unique college.”

This year also marks the 30^th anniversary of a rather tedious ride for Strauss. He cycled from Grinnell‘s campus to Alaska three decades ago. Riding RABRAI was a way for him to commemorate that challenging feat, and see the rest of the state in the process.

Though the three said they decided to ride because the route goes through Grinnell.

Strauss is riding with two other friends he made during his time at school, brothers, Benjamin Simon, 54, and Charlie Simon, 52, who now live in Virginia and Michigan respectively. Neither brother has been back to Iowa since the early 1980s.

All three men describe this trip as a homecoming and are excited to see how the college has changed since their time there in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The trio will also attend a reception at the College, Thursday, with 70 other alum and faculty who are cycling across the state.

“It was a great experience there,” Benjamin Simon said, smiling. “An informed experience too.”

–Katie Stinson

College Spirit Day, Grinnell

Latest Blog Posts

Almost all RAGBRAI riders will agree that a helmet is an essential piece of equipment that every rider needs. A helmet will protect your brain if you are involved ...
We had a great week on the RAGBRAI route visiting the towns along the RAGBRAI route and inspecting the roads and traffic patterns along the way. Here are some ...
Thank you to all the dads who have joined us on RAGBRAI! Especially those of you...
Trooper Pam Brockman started with the Iowa State Patrol in 1977. She has been helping RAGBRAIers safely navigate our great state directing traffic as part of the safety education team ...
Whether you’re watching carbs, fat, sodium, etc…visit www.noodles.com/nutrition to find out the right dish for you! Here are few things we think you should know about the food and ingredients in our ...
A friend of RAGBRAIs from Independence shared this story with us: About 6 of us are cruising at 20-25 MPH down a slight highway hill heading into Quasqueton. First mistake – ...
Happy Flag Day!
If you registered before April 25, your RAGBRAI wristband package has been sent to you. Please check your package to be sure that everything is correct. Please email us at ...
Trek’s long-running Project One Custom Program allows customers to choose from a wide variety of paint schemes, colors and build kits, but only through the online portal, unless you happen to be ...
The Des Moines Register is packing up and moving its offices to Capitol Square this weekend, and so is RAGBRAI. We're excited about our new location, but it may take ...

3 Responses on “A little bit of Grinnell Anticipation”

jane

July 27, 2011 at 2:17 pm

yep, i know they’ll meet my girl, a 2008 graduate. she loves grinnell too. maybe she’ll go to Alaska in 30 years! What a great experience.

Joyce Wells

July 27, 2011 at 6:34 pm

We rode RAGBRAi in 1999 and again in 2001 and started with the local Grinnell bike shop and Craig & April Smith. Grinnell wis and always will be a special place. Enjoy your return to the college and a great little American town!