Cyclists start RAGBRAI right with traditional tire dip

Many RAGBRAI riders started their days bright and early with the traditional tire dip into the Missouri River. 

A sunny, 65-degree morning welcomed riders as they dipped their back bicycle tires into the river and then started on their journey. 

  
Those who complete all of RAGBRAI will be looking forward to dipping their front tires into the river. 

Natasha Broom, who is riding the first five days, may not be able to dip her front tire in the river to celebrate the end of RAGBRAI, but she still wanted to make sure she started RAGBRAI right. 

“I was going to bypass it (the tire dip) altogether, but my teammates said, ‘no, it’s tradition!’” Said Broom, of Spencer. “Even if you’re not going to finish, you have to do it.”

This is Broom’s first year of RAGBRAI, so she said she’s ready for the full experience. 

“I’m really excited, but the real question, is how sore is my butt going to be when I’m done?”