Runners and bicyclists far and wide will converge on the Quad-Cities this summer ... on the same day.
Organizers of the statewide bicycle ride RAGBRAI will celebrate its 50th year with some 18,000 cyclists dipping their tires in the Mississippi River at Davenport. Much like it did in 1973, the ride begins in Sioux City and treks east 500 miles across the state to conclude in Davenport.
The seven-day ride ends on July 29, which is the same day as the 49thrunning of the Quad-City Times Bix 7, one of the premiere sporting events in the Quad-Cities.
Last year’s Bix drew nearly 10,000 runners and thousands of spectators, volunteers and others who participate in the festivities. It makes for quite a swarm.
Add the RAGBRAI finale to that, and we expect tens of thousands of people in the Quad-Cities in that one summer weekend.