This past Friday over 15,000 bike riders came to Mount Pleasant, doubling the town's population for less than 24 hours. I had the pleasure of greeting RAGBRAI riders as they entered town. Iowa Wesleyan College provided free, COLD water to riders just before passing through the archway to downtown MP. Saturday morning I also had the pleasure to wishing the riders well and providing breakfast refreshments as they passed our house on their ride to Burlington to dip their tires in the Mighty Mississip. With connections to James Van Allen and Peggy Whitson, Mount Pleasant came up with the theme, 'Have a Blast in Mount Pleasant'. It was definitely a blast!
These rockets blasted off (with real fire) about every 5-7 minutes. The Heatilator company designed them. It was cool. And speaking of cool, water misted on the riders as they passed below the blue arches on the road to the downtown square. The riders commented on this being one of the best entrances. Way to go MP!
Bailey by the rocket
We were also fortunate to have a front row seat to the riders leaving town as they passed our house.
This hill out of town was nothing compared to the hills the riders endured on their ride into Mount Pleasant against a bad headwind. Many commented that it was the hardest ride of the week.
Former S-F student and recent Upper Iowa grad Storm Schmitt stopped by for a quick picture and breakfast snack before catching up with Team Peacock in New London.
