SIOUX CITY – Sioux City basked in the spotlight when the 38th Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa began here July 25, 2010.
At least 20,000 bicyclists (and perhaps that many friends and family accompanied the bikers) started their state-spanning jaunt from Sioux City, with many dipping their tires in the Missouri River before heading down Hamilton Boulevard, bound for the Leeds part of town. From there, the bicyclists went through Kingsley, Washta and Quimby, en route to the overnight stop in Storm Lake. The next day, the bicyclists went through more of Northwest Iowa on the way to the next overnight town of Algona.
“Sioux City has changed a great deal since RAGBRAI was here last in 2001,” RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz said. “There are so many different things to do and see that I’m sure people will ride away with a good impression of the community.”
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That indeed was the case. Sally Smith, Sarah Wignall and Niki Sprigg had to be among the finalists for the “longest travel” award, after flying in from Leicester, England.
Rugby teammates back in England, the group heard about RAGBRAI and wanted to give it a go.
“Mainly, just to finish,” Smith said.
“ ... without having to get on the bus of shame (for sagging dropouts),” Sprigg added.
The trio said the city events were “brilliant,” and they talked about the friendliness of residents. However, they were surprised by Sioux City’s hilly topography.
The departure in the pursuit to complete all 442 miles came, of course, after many enjoyed recreational options over the weekend, with the city’s economy taking a positive jolt. The list of activities based in Historic Fourth Street included a concert by pop stars SmashMouth, along with music from Rockestra and an Elvis impersonator, as well as a fireworks display.
“It is important to close the kick-off event for RAGBRAI in a spectacular manner, just like they do in the Olympics,” said Debi Durham, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president.
More mundane tasks like setting up campgrounds, cordoning off streets so cyclists could move more easily through the city and spraying for mosquitoes also made Sioux City a well-received host town.
Even an unanticipated change in plans didn’t create a problem, as when the RV campground was relocated due to heavy rains. The campground was moved to the west lot of the Tyson Event Center, from the prior campground area south of the Home Depot.
Additionally, Riviera Theatres screened the film “A Million Spokes,” which was about a previous RAGBRAI. The Siouxland Farmers Market was open extended hours and offered free samples to Sioux City’s temporary cyclist citizens a day before the biking began in earnest.
As July 25 dawned, riders swarmed the Missouri River to dunk tires and share good vibes before embarking across the state.
Ethan Jedlicka, 8, of Marion, Iowa, was asked to provide his age several dozen times.
There was also a lot of “I just got passed by an 8-year-old,” said his mother, Janice Jedlicka.
RAGBRAI 39:
The 2011 edition of RAGBRAI will only skirt the farthest edge of Siouxland, when on the second day riders will bike from Atlantic to Carroll. Glenwood will be the opening city stop, and now ties Sioux City with the most overnight stops, at six apiece over 39 years.
