Letter to the Editor: Appreciation for his hometown hosting RAGBRAI®

To the Editor:

My appreciation goes out to all the organizers, volunteers, hosts, churches, businesses, bands, police officers and others who helped to make Waukon a place of hospitality for the riders on RAGBRAI®. At the edge of town, riders were greeted by a crowd of residents and an artistic archway. To satisfy our hunger, there were local churches and restaurants who served an amazing variety of food for affordable prices.

From one end of town to the other, people allowed their lawns to be transformed into campgrounds. Throughout town, there were benches, signs and bicycle-themed art that created a festive atmosphere. In the evening, a local band played fun music for a massive crowd in the middle of downtown.

The details could go on and on. But the point is the same: the residents of Waukon did a great job of hosting RAGBRAI as an overnight town. All of that effort was noticed and appreciated. The largest bike ride in the world was met with a hardworking, welcoming small town.

Thank you, Waukon!

Brian Brandsmeier
North Liberty
1997 alumnus of Waukon High School and
2017 rider on RAGBRAI