Patrick Renda recalls the first group ofcyclists that walkedinto his Des Moines restaurant.
"They were the wildest," the recently retired owner of Orlondo'ssaid last month. "I mean, they were unbelievable."
The colorful, Spandex-clad crew waslooking for a good time —and for 17 years, Renda's restaurant gave them a home.
"I welcomed them with open arms," he said. "A lot of people were afraid of them because they like to party and have a good time. And I wasn't against that."
Orlondo's On Park, which closed in July,was a pioneer.Long before the Night Hawk in Slater and Flat Tire in Madrid, itwas a mecca for Iowa's cycling community.
"We are going to miss the place," cyclist Brian Watson said.His cyclist group, Team Wrong,madeweekly stops at Orlondo's for 12 years.
"Wedo a lot of 'Taco Tuesday' rides,from Orlondo's to Cumming and back," Watson said.