RAGBRAI, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is more than just a bike ride, it is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world. On May 21st of this year, a large and destructive tornado struck cities and communities in Iowa reaching its peak intensity in Greenfield, Iowa leaving four residents dead and over 200 homes, the hospital and the fire department destroyed. The community is raising funds to help rebuild Greenfield, Iowa.
On Tuesday, July 23rd, Greenfield welcomed RAGBRAI riders to their town. The RAGBRAI route took riders through areas that were affected by the storm. It was hoped to have been under better condition, but the bicycle riders were welcomed, nonetheless.
This year, Andover Rotarians Joel and Jean Leider represented the Rotary Club of Andover at RAGBRAI serving as support for the Cedar Valley Cyclists (CVC) for the week. Both the Leider's on behalf of Andover Rotary and CVC each presented a check and a 2x4 signed by Rotarians and CVC members to aid in the recovery. Together, they contributed over $2,000. If you would like to help, monetary donations are still being accepted via the Greenfield Tornado Relief.Our club meets every Friday at 7:30 am at the DoubleTree Hotel in Andover and we welcome your visit at any time!