With a March 1 registration deadline around the corner, open spots remain on the Coe College RAGBRAI team. To date, 17 people have joined Team CoeBRAI and registered for the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The team will be capped at 30 week-long riders, so act fast if you want to participate.
Complete details are available at http://coebrai.coe.edu/. That is also where you’ll be able to order a custom Coe biking jersey once the design is finalized. This year we’re working to incorporate a painting by Marvin D. Cone Professor of Art Peter Thompson, who will be joining us on the ride.
I know it’s difficult to make plans for July in February, but logistics require that we follow this timetable and it is our policy that all participants must be registered. If you are still planning to join, could you let me know and fill out a registration? If you are no longer interested, let me know and I’ll stop badgering you.
For those who can only manage a couple days, we can accommodate part-time riders also at a fee of $50 per day. Half of the total is due March 1, along with your online registration and signed waiver. The remaining half will be due July 1.
As space allows, transportation may also be available from Cedar Rapids to Sioux City on July 24 ($75) and/or from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids on July 31 ($35).
Registered CoeBRAI riders who must cancel for any reason will receive refunds according to the following sliding scale: 75 percent on or before May 1, 50 percent on or before June 1 and 25 percent on or before July 1. While we understand that life happens, we must insist on a no-refund policy for cancellations after July 1. (In other words, by registering now and paying the initial $200, you're only risking $50 by May 1, $100 by June 1 and $150 by July 1.)
RAGBRAI XXXVIII will treat riders to one of the shortest and flattest routes ever as it winds through northern Iowa from Sioux City to Dubuque. That combination means the 10,000 riders will navigate a 442-mile route that ranks as third-easiest historically, at least as far as hills and mileage go.
Beginning in Sioux City on July 24, the ride will stop in Storm Lake (July 25), Algona (July 26), Clear Lake (July 27), Charles City (July 28), Waterloo (July 29), and Manchester (July 30) before ending in Dubuque on July 31. It’s the sixth shortest route of all time and the 14,527 total feet of climb ranks as the fifth lowest in RAGBRAI history.
We are again actively seeking hosts from among the Coe family at each of the overnight towns. If you know someone in one of the overnights who would like to host us, send me their contact information. Openings remain in Storm Lake, Algona and Manchester.
You’ve got two weeks to register online. After creating your profile (or logging in to your RAGBRAI account for veterans), you should choose to join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact. Checks should be made payable to Coe College.
Although the Register's online entry deadline is April 1, we encourage you to meet our March 1 deadline for the initial payment so that we can have a handle on the number of participants, which will be capped at 30.
Information will also be communicated on our Web site and on this blog. You can also follow CoeBRAI on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information, contact Team CoeBRAI captain Lonnie Zingula at lzingula@coe.edu or (319) 399-8613.
Coe College meets RAGBRAI -- Iowa's greatest college tackles the nation's greatest bike ride.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Team CoeBRAI profile: Dr. David Moore
The Ames Tribune published the following profile on Team CoeBRAI veteran and century biker Dr. David Moore '80 for Black History Month. In addition to biking the past two RAGBRAIs, David hosted Team CoeBRAI at his home in Ames in 2008.
Nomadic Midwesterner and neurologist
By Laura Millsaps
Special to The Tribune
Published: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dr. David B. Moore remembers wanting to be a doctor when he was very young. His maternal grandfather, a miner, was dying of black lung disease.
“It made a big impression on me. I was only 4 years old, but I remember that being the first time I wanted to be able to make people feel better,” said Moore, now 53.
Now a neurologist at McFarland Clinic and a resident of Ames since 2000, Moore said that though inspiration came early, his path to medicine wasn’t a straight line.
His father’s career as a Methodist minister led the family across the Midwest, and Moore moved many times as a child. He calls himself a “nomadic Midwesterner.” Though a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., the family moved to Iowa, and he graduated from high school in Fort Dodge in 1976.
Moore said his father, Alvin, became more political as he got older, becoming the first African-American to run for U.S. Congress in Iowa when they lived in Council Bluffs, and becoming the first African-American pastor of an all white congregation when they lived in Des Moines.
Alvin Moore was shot and killed during a visit to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1975.
His killer was never found. Though David Moore said the family never discovered what happened, they believe his death was a result of his political activism.
Moore, “lucky number seven” of nine children, went to Coe College, wrestled for Barron Bremner, a collegiate hall of fame coach, and “did OK academically, but not great.”
But several people in his youth, including Peter Wickham, his chemistry professor at Coe, were supportive of his goals.
“He believed I could do anything, and didn’t let me give up on my dream,” Moore said.
While he almost completed a doctorate degree in pharmacy at Creighton University and did very well, he took the MCAT for a second time, did well, and attended the University of Iowa Medical School, graduating in 1988. An internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison followed, as well as a fellowship in epilepsy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which he completed in 1994.
Moore practiced in Elkhart, Ind., for six years before coming to Ames. He wanted to be back in Iowa and closer to his mother, Betty, now 83.
“It just gives me warm fuzzies to see Mom once a month after all these years away,” he said.
Moore said two events during his academic studies affected the kind of physician he became.
One was being diagnosed with dyslexia. The reading disorder affected his academic performance at Coe, but learning to deal with it helped him do well in medical school.
The second was the onset of seizures as he was graduating from Coe. Learning to cope with his epilepsy was another factor that drew him to become an epileptologist as part of his work in neurology.
“As I was working on my residency, I knew from my own experiences that sometimes it was hard to tell if my difficulties were from the medications I was taking, or from my dyslexia, or cognitive problems caused by my seizures,” Moore said.
The process taught Moore sympathy, he said.
“I understand where my patients are coming from, particularly teenagers and younger kids,” Moore said. “It can be embarrassing for them, and they can be afraid of what’s happening to them. I think my own experiences make me a better person and a better physician.”
What person in African-American history do you most admire? “Bobby Kennedy. I believe he had the biggest impact on the system. His influence over his brother and his views on racial equality issues really influenced things at the top, where people had the power to make change happen. People gave a lot of credit to Lyndon Johnson for progress in racial equality, (but) it was Bobby who started it all.
“But I also have to mention Rosa Parks. That single event was the catalyst for everything else. Martin Luther King Jr. happened at the right time. If Rosa Parks hadn’t done what she’d done, things might be different today.”
What does Black History Month mean to you? “Despite our country being a melting pot, every group wants to preserve their history. Keeping tabs on one’s cultural identity, that’s imperative.
“However, I dislike the idea of one month in which we learn cultural diversity. To me that’s bad.
“Who was the first man killed in the Revolutionary War? A black man. Who first invented the process of blood transfusions? A black man. How many people know about these things? They should.
“But it should be integrated into what we learn in school so that it’s part of our historical tradition, not taught as a separate or different thing. It shouldn’t be set apart, but part of the whole.”
Nomadic Midwesterner and neurologist
By Laura Millsaps
Special to The Tribune
Published: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dr. David B. Moore remembers wanting to be a doctor when he was very young. His maternal grandfather, a miner, was dying of black lung disease.
“It made a big impression on me. I was only 4 years old, but I remember that being the first time I wanted to be able to make people feel better,” said Moore, now 53.
Now a neurologist at McFarland Clinic and a resident of Ames since 2000, Moore said that though inspiration came early, his path to medicine wasn’t a straight line.
His father’s career as a Methodist minister led the family across the Midwest, and Moore moved many times as a child. He calls himself a “nomadic Midwesterner.” Though a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., the family moved to Iowa, and he graduated from high school in Fort Dodge in 1976.
Moore said his father, Alvin, became more political as he got older, becoming the first African-American to run for U.S. Congress in Iowa when they lived in Council Bluffs, and becoming the first African-American pastor of an all white congregation when they lived in Des Moines.
Alvin Moore was shot and killed during a visit to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1975.
His killer was never found. Though David Moore said the family never discovered what happened, they believe his death was a result of his political activism.
Moore, “lucky number seven” of nine children, went to Coe College, wrestled for Barron Bremner, a collegiate hall of fame coach, and “did OK academically, but not great.”
But several people in his youth, including Peter Wickham, his chemistry professor at Coe, were supportive of his goals.
“He believed I could do anything, and didn’t let me give up on my dream,” Moore said.
While he almost completed a doctorate degree in pharmacy at Creighton University and did very well, he took the MCAT for a second time, did well, and attended the University of Iowa Medical School, graduating in 1988. An internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison followed, as well as a fellowship in epilepsy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which he completed in 1994.
Moore practiced in Elkhart, Ind., for six years before coming to Ames. He wanted to be back in Iowa and closer to his mother, Betty, now 83.
“It just gives me warm fuzzies to see Mom once a month after all these years away,” he said.
Moore said two events during his academic studies affected the kind of physician he became.
One was being diagnosed with dyslexia. The reading disorder affected his academic performance at Coe, but learning to deal with it helped him do well in medical school.
The second was the onset of seizures as he was graduating from Coe. Learning to cope with his epilepsy was another factor that drew him to become an epileptologist as part of his work in neurology.
“As I was working on my residency, I knew from my own experiences that sometimes it was hard to tell if my difficulties were from the medications I was taking, or from my dyslexia, or cognitive problems caused by my seizures,” Moore said.
The process taught Moore sympathy, he said.
“I understand where my patients are coming from, particularly teenagers and younger kids,” Moore said. “It can be embarrassing for them, and they can be afraid of what’s happening to them. I think my own experiences make me a better person and a better physician.”
What person in African-American history do you most admire? “Bobby Kennedy. I believe he had the biggest impact on the system. His influence over his brother and his views on racial equality issues really influenced things at the top, where people had the power to make change happen. People gave a lot of credit to Lyndon Johnson for progress in racial equality, (but) it was Bobby who started it all.
“But I also have to mention Rosa Parks. That single event was the catalyst for everything else. Martin Luther King Jr. happened at the right time. If Rosa Parks hadn’t done what she’d done, things might be different today.”
What does Black History Month mean to you? “Despite our country being a melting pot, every group wants to preserve their history. Keeping tabs on one’s cultural identity, that’s imperative.
“However, I dislike the idea of one month in which we learn cultural diversity. To me that’s bad.
“Who was the first man killed in the Revolutionary War? A black man. Who first invented the process of blood transfusions? A black man. How many people know about these things? They should.
“But it should be integrated into what we learn in school so that it’s part of our historical tradition, not taught as a separate or different thing. It shouldn’t be set apart, but part of the whole.”
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Short, flat and fun
RAGBRAI XXXVIII will treat riders to one of the shortest and flattest routes ever as it winds through northern Iowa from Sioux City to Dubuque.
That combination means the 10,000 riders will navigate a 442-mile route that ranks as third-easiest historically, at least as far as hills and mileage go. Weather remains a wild card. So train well.
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa runs July 25-31 with overnight stops in Sioux City, Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake, Charles City, Waterloo, Manchester and Dubuque.
The moving montage of gooey treats, sore bottoms, camping, wide-open scenery, beer and hometown friendliness returns to northern Iowa after a foray into southern counties last year.
The ride will be the sixth-shortest. The 14,527 feet of climb is fifth-lowest total, so rejoice and save the hill complaints until at least Day 3. The longest day: 83 miles from Charles City to Waterloo.
The complete route will be announced later.
Make this your year to join the official Coe College team on the adventure of a lifetime. Please contact Lonnie Zingula at lzingula@coe.edu for information.
Register online at ragbrai.com. After creating your profile (or logging in to your RAGBRAI account for veterans), you should choose to join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact.
Also, if you are from one of the overnight towns and would like to host Team CoeBRAI in your community, please let us know.
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown:
Sioux City, Saturday, July 24
The ride gets started with a Saturday gathering in Sioux City, where some of the 85,013 residents will watch riders dip the rear tires of their bikes in the Missouri River, the traditional way to mark the opening of the ride on Sunday morning. (Note: It’s not a race.)
This is RAGBRAI’s sixth visit to Sioux City and the first since 2001. Riders also rolled through the land of explorers Lewis and Clark in 1973, 1978, 1988 and 1993.
This is the hometown of Jerry Mathers, who played “Beaver” on the ’50s and ’60s TV show “Leave it to Beaver.” Fred Grandy, who served Congress after acting in the role of “Gopher” in “Love Boat,” is a native. So are the sisters who penned the “Dear Abby” and Ann Landers advice columns.
Sioux City’s revamped riverfront offers bike trails, an amphitheater and an Argosy casino. The restored Orpheum Theater and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center also are draws.
A rejuvenated Historic Fourth Street offers restaurants and shops in early 20th Century buildings.
Storm Lake, Sunday, July 25
After a 69-mile jaunt, the RAGBRAI horde will wheel into Storm Lake for the sixth time, if you count a pass-through in 1975. This is the first stop since 2001; others were in 1973, 1978, and 1987.
This town of 10,076 has been known for meatpacking, a diverse population, Buena Vista University and a glacial lake.
King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort and Lodge anchors a lakefront revival that includes rehabbed marinas, a waterpark and trails.
Algona, Monday, July 26
Next stop: Algona, 79 miles further on.
Algona has a special place in the hearts of most Des Moines Register employees and fans. It is the birthplace of Gardner Cowles, who bought the newspapers that were predecessors to The Register.
But there are other reasons RAGBRAI would want to stop here for the fifth time, and the first since 2005. When riders came through here in 1977, 1990 and 1999, they discovered a town bordered on three sides by the Des Moines River and the wooded hills of Ambrose A. Call State Park.
They learned that a World War II prisoner of war camp here housed more than 8,000 Germans and Italians. They heard about the annual Founders’ Day and Band Day Festival celebrations.
Algona is home to 5,741.
Clear Lake, Tuesday, July 27
It’s been more than a decade since RAGBRAI pedaled into Clear Lake.
What a decade it’s been for this town of 8,161, a mere 51 miles from Algona.
The Surf Ballroom last year held a huge bash to mark the passing of 50 years since the deaths of music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the “Big Bopper”; the early rockers died in a plane crash in a field near here after performing at the Surf.
The glacial lake at the center of activity here is hugely popular with boaters, fishing enthusiasts (especially those seeking walleye pike), wind surfers and others. The “Lady of the Lake” excursion boat offers views of a lakefront that includes a remodeled bandshell and a lively downtown district. Two state parks offer camping and other fun.
RAGBRAI stopped in 1977 and 1999, and passed through in 1985.
Charles City, Wednesday, July 28
This town of 7,812 is 52 miles from Clear Lake. This is the first time RAGBRAI wheels will be spotted here since 2002. Riders also camped here in 1982 and 1996 and rode through in 1977.
The attractions here include the world’s first gasoline-powered tractors on display at Floyd County Museum, 15 downtown buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and a historic swinging bridge over the Cedar River. The Mooney Art Collection at the Charles City Public Library includes works by Rembrandt and Picasso.
Hometown heroes include Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, famous for her work to get women the right to vote. She lived in Charles City as a girl, and later founded the League of Women Voters.
Waterloo, Thursday, July 29
This town of 68,747 hasn’t seen the saddle-sore masses of RAGBRAI since 1985. This is just the third stop in Waterloo; the other was in 1974.
So many of the riders will want to put in the 83 miles from Charles City early so they can get a look around. (It will be hillier than most days, with 2,712 feet of climb.)
Lost Island Water Park, one of the largest in the state, and the Isle Casino Hotel are big draws.
The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in the Grout Museum District features a re-created bow of the USS Juneau, the U.S. Navy cruiser on which the town’s five Sullivan brothers fought and died during World War II.
Another famous combatant: Dan Gable, who wrestled at Waterloo West before a legendary run at Iowa State University in which he won all but his last match. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1972 at Munich.
Manchester, Friday, July 30
When riders roll into this town of 5,257, they will have pedaled another 62 miles and climbed 2,313 feet since the last stop.
That should give them plenty of reasons to relax at the city parks, two golf courses and aquatic center in this Maquoketa River town.
Also in the area: Iowa’s oldest state park, Backbone, and Lake Delhi.
Dubuque, Saturday, July 31
Riders will dip their bikes’ front tires in the Mississippi River in a town that completed a $400 million renovation of its main port.
The fourth RAGBRAI stop in Iowa’s oldest city will feature the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the bluff-climbing Fenelon Place Elevator, and another casino.
That combination means the 10,000 riders will navigate a 442-mile route that ranks as third-easiest historically, at least as far as hills and mileage go. Weather remains a wild card. So train well.
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa runs July 25-31 with overnight stops in Sioux City, Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake, Charles City, Waterloo, Manchester and Dubuque.
The moving montage of gooey treats, sore bottoms, camping, wide-open scenery, beer and hometown friendliness returns to northern Iowa after a foray into southern counties last year.
The ride will be the sixth-shortest. The 14,527 feet of climb is fifth-lowest total, so rejoice and save the hill complaints until at least Day 3. The longest day: 83 miles from Charles City to Waterloo.
The complete route will be announced later.
Make this your year to join the official Coe College team on the adventure of a lifetime. Please contact Lonnie Zingula at lzingula@coe.edu for information.
Register online at ragbrai.com. After creating your profile (or logging in to your RAGBRAI account for veterans), you should choose to join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact.
Also, if you are from one of the overnight towns and would like to host Team CoeBRAI in your community, please let us know.
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown:
Sioux City, Saturday, July 24
The ride gets started with a Saturday gathering in Sioux City, where some of the 85,013 residents will watch riders dip the rear tires of their bikes in the Missouri River, the traditional way to mark the opening of the ride on Sunday morning. (Note: It’s not a race.)
This is RAGBRAI’s sixth visit to Sioux City and the first since 2001. Riders also rolled through the land of explorers Lewis and Clark in 1973, 1978, 1988 and 1993.
This is the hometown of Jerry Mathers, who played “Beaver” on the ’50s and ’60s TV show “Leave it to Beaver.” Fred Grandy, who served Congress after acting in the role of “Gopher” in “Love Boat,” is a native. So are the sisters who penned the “Dear Abby” and Ann Landers advice columns.
Sioux City’s revamped riverfront offers bike trails, an amphitheater and an Argosy casino. The restored Orpheum Theater and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center also are draws.
A rejuvenated Historic Fourth Street offers restaurants and shops in early 20th Century buildings.
Storm Lake, Sunday, July 25
After a 69-mile jaunt, the RAGBRAI horde will wheel into Storm Lake for the sixth time, if you count a pass-through in 1975. This is the first stop since 2001; others were in 1973, 1978, and 1987.
This town of 10,076 has been known for meatpacking, a diverse population, Buena Vista University and a glacial lake.
King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort and Lodge anchors a lakefront revival that includes rehabbed marinas, a waterpark and trails.
Algona, Monday, July 26
Next stop: Algona, 79 miles further on.
Algona has a special place in the hearts of most Des Moines Register employees and fans. It is the birthplace of Gardner Cowles, who bought the newspapers that were predecessors to The Register.
But there are other reasons RAGBRAI would want to stop here for the fifth time, and the first since 2005. When riders came through here in 1977, 1990 and 1999, they discovered a town bordered on three sides by the Des Moines River and the wooded hills of Ambrose A. Call State Park.
They learned that a World War II prisoner of war camp here housed more than 8,000 Germans and Italians. They heard about the annual Founders’ Day and Band Day Festival celebrations.
Algona is home to 5,741.
Clear Lake, Tuesday, July 27
It’s been more than a decade since RAGBRAI pedaled into Clear Lake.
What a decade it’s been for this town of 8,161, a mere 51 miles from Algona.
The Surf Ballroom last year held a huge bash to mark the passing of 50 years since the deaths of music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the “Big Bopper”; the early rockers died in a plane crash in a field near here after performing at the Surf.
The glacial lake at the center of activity here is hugely popular with boaters, fishing enthusiasts (especially those seeking walleye pike), wind surfers and others. The “Lady of the Lake” excursion boat offers views of a lakefront that includes a remodeled bandshell and a lively downtown district. Two state parks offer camping and other fun.
RAGBRAI stopped in 1977 and 1999, and passed through in 1985.
Charles City, Wednesday, July 28
This town of 7,812 is 52 miles from Clear Lake. This is the first time RAGBRAI wheels will be spotted here since 2002. Riders also camped here in 1982 and 1996 and rode through in 1977.
The attractions here include the world’s first gasoline-powered tractors on display at Floyd County Museum, 15 downtown buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and a historic swinging bridge over the Cedar River. The Mooney Art Collection at the Charles City Public Library includes works by Rembrandt and Picasso.
Hometown heroes include Carrie Lane Chapman Catt, famous for her work to get women the right to vote. She lived in Charles City as a girl, and later founded the League of Women Voters.
Waterloo, Thursday, July 29
This town of 68,747 hasn’t seen the saddle-sore masses of RAGBRAI since 1985. This is just the third stop in Waterloo; the other was in 1974.
So many of the riders will want to put in the 83 miles from Charles City early so they can get a look around. (It will be hillier than most days, with 2,712 feet of climb.)
Lost Island Water Park, one of the largest in the state, and the Isle Casino Hotel are big draws.
The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in the Grout Museum District features a re-created bow of the USS Juneau, the U.S. Navy cruiser on which the town’s five Sullivan brothers fought and died during World War II.
Another famous combatant: Dan Gable, who wrestled at Waterloo West before a legendary run at Iowa State University in which he won all but his last match. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1972 at Munich.
Manchester, Friday, July 30
When riders roll into this town of 5,257, they will have pedaled another 62 miles and climbed 2,313 feet since the last stop.
That should give them plenty of reasons to relax at the city parks, two golf courses and aquatic center in this Maquoketa River town.
Also in the area: Iowa’s oldest state park, Backbone, and Lake Delhi.
Dubuque, Saturday, July 31
Riders will dip their bikes’ front tires in the Mississippi River in a town that completed a $400 million renovation of its main port.
The fourth RAGBRAI stop in Iowa’s oldest city will feature the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the bluff-climbing Fenelon Place Elevator, and another casino.
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