Tour De Brew attracts hundreds of cyclists

Mon July 07 2008
Posted Jul 7, 2008
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Chris Rhatigan Iowa City Press-Citizen AMANA -- About 320 cyclists rode in the eighth annual Tour De Brew, a 35-mile warm-up for RAGBRAI with beer stops along the way. Cyclists started and ended at Millstream Brewery in Amana. Millstream owner Teresa Albert poured plenty of cups of the microbrews her establishment is known for after cyclists completed the route Saturday afternoon. "We have so many customers that are bike riders," she said. "It's a way of saying thanks to them," she said of the event. The Millstream also offered brats and hot dogs to hungry cyclists. The Silver Wings provided musical entertainment with a tribute to the Beatles. The number of cyclists this year was about average, Albert said. The tour was held a week earlier than usual. "We were really happy with the turnout. Being the holiday weekend and all, we weren't sure," she said. The event also is offered in part as a warm-up for RAGBRAI, Albert said. RAGBRAI will take place July 20-26. According to RAGBRAI's Web site, they recommend cyclists log 600 training miles before entering the cross-state race. Steve Evenberger of Swisher was at Millstream on Saturday afternoon after finishing the tour route. "This was the first time for me. I was really impressed with the turnout," he said. Evenberger said this will be his first time completing the entire RAGBRAI week. Tour De Brew was "a tune-up" for that route, he said. He added that "everyone seems excited" for RAGBRAI this year. Chris Barnard of Davenport also was on his first Tour De Brew ride. "I enjoyed it. It's a good route. It had enough beer stops," he said. Barnard added that he also will be completing the RAGBRAI route. The Tour De Brew route was different this year. Traditionally, riders have biked from Iowa City to Amana then are bused back. But because of rising gas prices, the route was changed so that bikers went through Norway and Blairstown, circling back to Amana.