Gilbert, a town of about 1,400 people, is hosting RAGBRAI for the first time in decades. The energy was high as thousands of riders rolled into town, with many residents and businesses coming together to welcome them.
RAGBRAI in Gilbert
Among the crowd were two college friends wearing matching corn-themed T-shirts. “We are Team Corn,” said Michael Robertson. “It’s what we’ve been seeing all day, so we figured we should blend in.” Isaac Mervis added, “Everyone’s super friendly. The towns are really showing out. It’s an awesome experience.”
A 13-year-old rider, Ryder, who is part of the RAGBRAI Dream Team, said he’s loved every minute of his first RAGBRAI and hopes other kids his age give it a try someday. Another group of friends traveled from Los Angeles for the ride, wearing small decorated glass jars glued to their helmets as a tradition they’ve kept for years.
For Gilbert residents, hosting RAGBRAI is about more than just welcoming cyclists. It’s also a chance to put their community on display. “It’s an opportunity for the businesses that are here to showcase, ‘Hey, we’re here. This is a great community,'” said Tyler Holck, a Gilbert resident helping organize the stop.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
