Riders conquer large hills in the bluffs of northeast Iowa
- 29 July, 2017
LANSING, Ia. — Riders were greeted with at least four intense climbs on the final day of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
But they were also treated with some of the most scenic views before dipping their tires into the Mississippi River here.
The RAGBRAI pre-ride crew dubbed today’s 44-mile ride from Waukon to Lansing “perhaps the most beautiful ride ever.”
RAGBRAI riders make their way out of Waukon before the sunrise on the final day of the ride, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in northeast Iowa. Bikers will pedal 44.8 miles to dip their tires in the Mississippi River in Lansing to end the trip.
“There was a fog setting in this morning that complimented the hills and bluffs really nicely,” said Jared Leppert of Manson, Iowa. “It was an extra, added bonus.”
“It was gorgeous,” added 16-year-old Danielle Ruane of Geneva, Illinois.
Saturday’s route was in the Driftless Area of Iowa whose topography consists of limestone bluffs and forested valleys. This area was untouched when glaciers moved in and flattened the rest of Iowa.
RAGBRAI riders make their way out of Waukon before the sunrise on the final day of the ride, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in northeast Iowa. Bikers will pedal 44.8 miles to dip their tires in the Mississippi River in Lansing to end the trip.
And riders felt it.
“I used low gear today more than any other day,” said Jerry Greif, 60, of Vinton, Iowa. “The hills were really long — there were three of them that never ended.”
Perhaps it’s just an added sense of accomplishment for the estimated 10,000 riders who completed the 411-mile trek across Iowa.
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“But they were also treated with some of the most scenic views before dipping their tires into the Missouri River here.”
You folks should really look into getting a copy editor or two.
Hey Sam. Our world needs more politeness and less meanness. How about simply pointing out that they made a mistake. Or even simply overlook it with the understanding that most people would understand it was a simple mistake. Take care. I wish you the best.
One of the many things to like about ragbrai, is the general lack of snarkiness that seems to be a common trait in America of the 21st century. Too bad Sam didn’t get the memo or more appropriately, the email. Sam lighten up.