The RAGBRAI rolling circus of cyclists, RVs, buses and support personnel rolled through Cedar Falls on Thursday. Some estimates put the number of visitors to the community around 30,000. While we don’t know the exact number of folks who were in town, we certainly hope they departed with more Panther Pride than they had upon their arrival in the Cedar Valley. 

Before the riders arrived in town, UNI staff in the purple Cat Van greeted them, handing out free water, mini first aid kits, stickers and cooling towels. Alums shared stories of their own experiences at UNI and reflected fondly on their parents, grandparents and other relatives making memories at the university. Some parents of incoming freshmen or current students also stopped by to get some UNI swag for their loved ones. Other riders from as far as the Netherlands, Ireland and Australia, as well as locations across Northern America loved experiencing the UNI hospitality.

In downtown Cedar Falls, there was even more Panther spirit. UNI staff decked out a trailer in purple and gold and handed out more giveaways to visitors from Canada, Washington, Kentucky and more. It was great to see so many strangers unite over the shared bond of UNI once they saw others proudly displaying purple and gold for College Jersey Day. Alums also stopped to sign cardboard cutouts of UNI’s TC mascot. Purple light-pole banners adorned the downtown area, marking Cedar Falls as Panther territory.

The UNI campus served as a base camp of sorts for support personnel and their vehicles, with parking lots around the UNI-Dome packed with RVs, buses and trailers. Some RAGBRAI goers spent the night in UNI residence halls or experienced a refreshing shower (and air conditioning) in the Wellness and Recreation Center. 

Overall, it was an incredibly successful RAGBRAI stop! We can’t wait for next time!