Dave Kittleson first rode in the Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa 50 years ago
An early morning sunrise greeted bike riders participating in this year’s Iowa’s RAGBRAI. Fifty years after he first rode in his first RAGBRAI, Dave Kittleson was in the saddle again this year to ride in his eighth RAGBRAI. The RAGBRAI was first held 51 years ago, one year before Kittleson first rode in the event.
Back in July, Dave Kittleson, of Blue Earth, hopped on his bicycle one morning and peddled the 200 miles southwest to the Iowa town of Glenwood.
It took him five days to get there. He left on July 15 and arrived on July 19. He went through Spirit Lake then to Storm Lake, Audubon, Red Oak and finally, Glenwood.
On July 20, he rested up and did not ride his bike.
On July 21 he rode back to Red Oak, because it was the first leg of RAGBRAI, also known as the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
It was the eighth time Kittleson has done the RAGBRAI. But it had a more personal significance.“It was the 50th anniversary of the very first time I ever rode in it,” Kittleson says. “So I really wanted to do it this year.”A little background information is needed. RAGBRAI itself was celebrating its 51st year. Which means that Kittleson rode in the second one, ever, 50 years ago.“I wanted to ride in the first one,” Kittleson recalls. “It had been put together rather quickly, so there was […]
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