The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting a lot of people in the world. High school seniors are grieving the loss of their graduation, prom, spring sports seasons and so much more. Important events like RAGBRAI have been cancelled for the first time in history, and even the Bix7, a race not scheduled until July 25, is being considered for cancellation as well.
RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) is a week-long ride across the state of Iowa. Normally, it is scheduled for July 19-25, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, event organizers made the decision to cancel RAGBRAI for 2020.
The decision to postpone RAGBRAI until 2021 came largely in part due to the social distancing guidelines. Ride director Dieter Drake explained, “The safety of our riders has always been the most important focus for our RAGBRAI team. He added, “We feel the decision is in everyone’s best interest.”
He does not think this should affect the organization negatively, since many other events have been canceled or postponed. “Everyone is experiencing this,” Drake expressed. “The future of the ride will not be affected because of this.”
The Quad Cities’ most iconic race, the Bix7,is still up in the air. First year race director Michelle Juehring has not yet made the decision to postpone or cancel the Bix7, and hopes it will not come to that. “Always, our number one priority is safety, not just for the participants but for the spectators and the community at large.” However, she expressed, “We have a very close eye on the situation. We’re staying up to date but we’re staying the course as well.”
Senior Ben Wilson expressed, “I’ve been training for the Bix7 since my track season got canceled.” He is relieved it hasn’t been canceled yet, as “I like having something to look forward to once quarantine is over. This gives me something to focus on.” Wilson is one of the many people who hopes the race will remain in place.
Local concerts held at the Taxslayer center in Moline have also been postponed or canceled. Kane Brown, a popular country music artist, was scheduled to appear on May 8, and is now postponed until Sept 11. Michael Bublé, scheduled to appear May 14, is postponed to a later date not yet released.
