It Would Not Have Been Possible Without...

July 31 - Mile 505

As we prepared for our trip back to Indianola and to our normal routines, I sensed that everyone felt a real debt of gratitude to all of those who made this year's RAGBRAI most enjoyable for everyone on Team Simpson. Special thanks go to Co-Captains Kelley Bradder and Chris Goodale who took care of the many details necessary for a smooth week of riding. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of follow up with team members to assure that the week goes as planned. Thanks as well to Bob Lane, vice president for advancement, who drove our truck and provided transportation all week. Loading and unloading all of our gear every day after traveling between the overnight towns is not a job without significant challenges. As always he did it with a positive attitude and with enthusiasm. Leslie Held, director of alumni relations, was with us for the first part of the week and also helped out greatly with our planning and in helping to arrange our overnight hosts. Finally, special appreciation goes to Jeff Wagner, director of campus services, for giving up two weekend days to drive a truck with our bicycles - first to the starting point to drop them off and again on the final day to bring our gear back to Indianola. Without all of their efforts, it just would not have been possible to have such a great week.
John Byrd