Mr. Porkchop retiring after RAGBRAI

Sun July 29 2007
Posted Jul 29, 2007
9,288

MICHAEL MORAIN REGISTER STAFF WRITER July 26, 2007 Mr. Porkchop is retiring after this RAGBRAI. Also known as Paul Bernhard, the Bancroft farmer and father of 11 has been an icon of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa for 27 years. Mr. Porkchop, 78, is known for his gravelly “pooooooooork chop” bellow as well as the juicy hunks of meat he sells to riders. His business brought him celebrity nationally and internationally. When he suffered a stroke, he received cards from around the globe. “I can’t hardly go anywhere without getting recognized,” Mr. Porkchop said Thursday near Klinger. His son, Matt, will take over the family business. “It’s been fun,” Mr. Porkchop said Thursday from his perch under an oversized umbrella. “I’ve met lots of wonderful people.”