Team LIVESTRONG: 40 Years of RAGBRAI

Jan 30, 2012 by Brian Myers - LIVESTRONG Staff

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It’s seven days across Iowa, sometimes unbearably hot, sometimes rainy, sometimes cold, and should be on every cyclist’s Bucket List. For 40 years tens of thousands of people keep coming back: it is RAGBRAI, the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. This year it starts in Sioux Center and it ends in Clinton.

For all that is unpredictable during the week, there is a lot to be sure of when you sign up for Team LIVESTRONG. For six years a team of cancer fighters have joined up in a city on the western side of Iowa and made the trek across the state to dip their tires in the mighty Mississippi. They’ve raised over $1 million to support those affected by cancer and that number continues to grow this year. Over the course of the week many friendships will be formed, stories will be shared and everyone will leave more inspired than when they came.

So why do it? Why ride your bike across Iowa? Why do we RAGBRAI?

“In memory of our son and brother, Scott who lost his battle with testicular cancer on May 26, 2008.” – Dave, Gina and Nick Z.

“I’ve lost more than 10 family members and friends to cancer. I want to help LIVESTRONG provide hope.” – Bruce L.

“I’m a cancer survivor who wants to help others.”- Peter K

“I ride to support my son Jack who is a cancer survivor. I also ride to support the many team members that I have met who are survivors or a supporter of a survivor.” – Marty and Jen H.

This is just a glimpse of our riders stories and we would love to hear yours. We will be back this year riding through corn fields, eating pork chops on the side of the road, stopping for homemade pie in the middle of a 60 miler and sharing our stories at our team campground every night.

By joining the team – and committing to a minimum fundraising of $1,500 for LIVESTRONG – you will receive a one-of-a-kind cycling jersey, your gear will be brought from town to town, you will have the opportunity to ride with great, inspirational great people, listen to awesome live music every night and we’ll have a great time making a big difference in the fight against cancer!

So come out this July and ride the 471 miles from Sioux Center to Clinton in the 40th Annual RAGBRAI and support Team LIVESTRONG. We can’t predict the weather or know if we will have a tailwind, but we can guarantee it will be an unforgettable experience and you may end up coming back for the next 40 years! So maybe the question to ask is – Why don’t you RAGBRAI?

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