Davenport RAGBRAI Announces Final Plans Ahead of #BixBRAI Weekend
July 10, 2023
Quad Cities (IA/IL) (Monday, July 10, 2023) – The Quad Cities is fewer than 20 days from the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI, the arrival of 30,000 cyclists in Davenport, and the 49th running of the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
The Davenport RAGBRAI team is ready for riders to “Be Bold. Ride Gold” when they arrive in Davenport on Saturday, July 29, at the end of their 500-mile ride. The golden anniversary of RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) brings a full celebration to the dip site and expands into Centennial Park. Riders will see golden bicycles painted on Marquette Street, in partnership with Quad City Arts, as they ride to the dip site. There will be a DJ and live entertainment to keep riders engaged as they wait to dip their tires. In Centennial Park, riders will be able to get more information at the Information Tent and rest and refresh with vendors, a Beer Garden, water station, and live entertainment and activities in partnership with Common Chord, Mercado on Fifth, and Quad City Arts.
The final day brings riders from Coralville to Davenport on a 66-mile ride through Iowa City, West Liberty, Muscatine and Buffalo. Once they reach the Davenport city limits, riders will follow Highway 22 to West River Drive/Highway 6, and then turn on Marquette Street to be greeted at the dip site at the Marquette Street boat ramp and Veterans Memorial Park. Cyclists will then have the option to meet friends and family by riding to the support vehicle parking lots at the QCCA Expo Center, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, and Vibrant Arena at The MARK, or taking the free shuttles from the Information Center at the Union Station Destination Center.
The 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI has brought increased long-term parking registrations as approximately 2,000 participants will come to Davenport and the Quad Cities region on July 21-22 before they get on motorcoach buses going west to Sioux City to begin the ride. They will park at St. Ambrose University, Davenport parking ramps, and the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf. Motorcoaches leave on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Many will camp overnight at Centennial Park or stay in area hotels Friday night before leaving on Saturday morning for RAGBRAI’s starting town.
The Davenport RAGBRAI Committee wants to give the 30,000 cyclists the welcome they deserve when they roll into Davenport and the Quad Cities after riding 500 miles over seven days. Participants will be from every state in the U.S. and eighteen countries from around the globe. This is an international phenomenon and sponsors are needed to support this event. Find more sponsor details at www.davenportragbrai.com.
Inviting thousands of people into your community for an event means that volunteers are needed to help greet those visitors and assist them with directions and information. The Davenport RAGBRAI team is looking for more volunteers to assist with many aspects of the event. Interested individuals can sign up at www.davenportragbrai.com. Volunteer training sessions will help volunteers learn about all things RAGBRAI, specific things to your role, and to pick up your volunteer t-shirt and parking pass. They are happening at the Union Station Destination Center on:
Tuesday, July 18 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 20 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 26 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26 5:30 p.m.
“We are in the home stretch over the next few weeks and are thrilled to host the 50th Anniversary of RAGBRAI and welcome thousands to Downtown Davenport and the Quad Cities regional destination,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “This continues to be an incredible team effort with the City of Davenport professional staff along with numerous partners and stakeholders to ensure we provide an incredible rider experience. There is a lot that goes into the planning and execution of RAGBRAI, and we are eternally grateful for the RAGBRAI event organizers, our partners, sponsors, and volunteers who are all working together to make it happen. This is a special opportunity to showcase our community and demonstrate that Midwestern spirit that the Quad Cities is known for delivering. What a weekend to celebrate with RAGBRAI L, the 49th Annual Quad-City Times Bix 7, and the #BixBRAI festivities.”
The last weekend in July is always a big party and a homecoming in downtown Davenport and the entire Quad Cities with the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race and the festivities surrounding the race. This year, the addition of the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI and 30,000 cyclists makes it an even bigger event experience in the QC. Local event organizers are dubbing that weekend as #BixBRAI weekend and there are a multitude of events happening in downtown Davenport, and there are even more events happening throughout the Quad Cities. The event details can be found at www.davenportragbrai.com, www.downtowndavenport.com, and www.visitquadcities.com.
Riders and Quad Citizens can find information about RAGBRAI arriving in Davenport and the Quad Cities at www.davenportragbrai.com. Organizers will continually update the website with the final event details and logistics.
About RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. This rolling celebration of Iowa attracts participants from all 50 states and many foreign countries. The ride will begin on July 23 on the west side of the state at the Missouri River.
About the City of Davenport
Davenport, Iowa, with a population of more than 100,000, is the regional epicenter of the metropolitan Quad Cities, population 400,000, and the third largest city in the State of Iowa. It is a place proud of its unique heritage at the crossroads of America. Davenport is a vibrant and progressive community that has been declared “The Most Livable Small City in America.” Covering the entirety of the city from fields to the riverfront, the City of Davenport has a Mayor/Council form of government with a professional City Administrator that implements policies of the elected City Council and oversees day-to-day operations of the City. The City’s four frontline departments and library system are accredited. For more information, visit davenportiowa.com.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official and certified Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, building our authentic brand, telling & selling the Quad Cities story, and enhancing Quad Citizens' quality of life and quality of place.
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Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Visit Quad Cities, 309-736-6821 or cdoehler@visitquadcities.com