Storm inaugurates ride across state

Glenwood, Ia. — Before they could leave Glenwood on Sunday for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, thousands of bicyclists endured a severe thunderstorm.

The National Weather Service said a severe storm brought hail and high winds through the Glenwood area between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. today. There were no immediate reports of significant injuries or damage.

“I looked at the clouds but didn’t see a train and didn’t see a funnel, and I wasn’t worried,” said Mike Brantley of Colorado, who is on his first RAGBRAI.

From left, Glenwood Girl Scouts Nikki Schuppan, 11, Kendra Vaughn, 12, CC Aspedon, 14, and Jillian Manley, 10, welcome RAGBRAI riders into their town Saturday afternoon. (Justin Hayworth/The Register)

For the kickoff city, its volunteers and many riders, troubling weather was nothing new, of course. Most of the Midwest is hoping a dangerous heat wave is easing, and Mills County and the rest of western Iowa have dealt with historic Missouri River flooding for  weeks.

“In all honesty, it’s nice to focus a little bit of energy in another direction,” said Shari Bowen, spokeswoman for Mills County Emergency Management, which is still monitoring levees daily. RAGBRAI “is a different workload, added on, but it’s good for our community.”

Officials and residents don’t think they are out of the woods with flooding.

“We’ve evacuated over 85 families, and 25 miles of roadways are still closed,” Bowen said. “There have been no new evacuation or large actions taken, and that’s a good thing, but all that risk is still there.”

Many riders said Saturday afternoon that they’re ready for anything.

Sue Kyser of California, back with her husband, Ken after they rode RAGBRAI last year, even appreciates a bit of rain.

“My favorite was riding through a thunderstorm,” Sue Kyser said.

The couple has a goal to ride every mile this year and eat good food.

“The rest of the country needs to take lessons from Iowa and how to be hospitable,” Ken Kyser said. “The people here are so good.”

The Kysers want to make RAGBRAI a family event and get their children involved next year.

Joe Masters of Colorado and Pete Cunningham of Chicago said they think the heat and humidity will be rough but won’t hinder them too much.

“I needed motivation to get in shape and heard it was a good time,” said Masters, who is doing the ride for the first time. “I want to get out early and end early and be in a bar or someplace air-conditioned by the afternoon.”

The ride shoves off this morning for 450 miles mostly through the central part of the state.

It concludes Saturday in Davenport.

“It’s a little break from everyday reality,” said Pete Cunningham of Chicago. “It’s a great time to get away from cellphones and email.”

— Tiffany De Masters and Kathryn Stinson

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