Connect With BVU Alumni in RAGBRAI Stop
50th anniversary ride repeats original route with overnight stay in Storm Lake on July 23
Buena Vista University alumni riding RAGRAI L—we know there are dozens of you—please make plans to visit the Buena Vista University alumni tent in Storm Lake as the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa repeats its historic trek while celebrating its Golden Anniversary.
The first RAGBRAI left Sioux City and overnighted in Storm Lake on Aug. 26, 1973. Participants a half-century ago (300 started the ride, 114 rode the entire route) stayed in a few select motels and pitched tents on lawns in overnight communities.
Estimates for riders this year amount to tens of thousands, perhaps up to 30,000 on the first day, July 23. BVU will help Storm Lake roll out the figurative red carpet in taking riders through campus on their way to the beautiful parks that line the northern shore of the lake.
“Look for the BVU tent as we’ll have gifts for alumni, ranging from a BVU cooling towel to lip balm to other RAGBRAI remedies you’ll welcome,” says Sarah Johnson, BVU Director of Alumni Engagement. “We’re thrilled RAGBRAI L is revisiting its roots with an opening-day ride to one of the most beautiful communities in Iowa.”
Alumni Benji ’98 and Lori (Stevenson) Kasel ’99, of Le Mars, plan to join in the fun while taking part in their 19th RAGBRAI. The couple crossed off a “Bucket List” item by crossing the entire state, Missouri River to Mississippi River, in 2017.
“We are very excited to ride to Storm Lake and will surely see a number of fellow BVU alumni along the way,” Lori says. “It will be great to connect with other Beavers at the alumni tent while visiting about everything special on the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI.”
For information about the alumni tent at RAGBRAI, visit this link.