Team Peacock to ride 7th year of RAGBRAI, targeting $1 million mark for scholarships
|
|
|
Shown here as they wrapped up the route in |
FAYETTE, Iowa (July15, 2011)—Upper Iowa University Team Peacock will roll out for the seventh consecutive year this week as it rides from Glenwood to Davenport with RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) to raise money for UIU student scholarships.
Team Peacock, which began with just seven riders in 2005, is now comprised of 35 UIU staff, faculty, students, and alumni, as well as members of the “Blue Crew” who support the RAGBRAI riders. The team is led each year by UIU President Alan G. Walker, who bicycles the entire RAGBRAI route.
The UIU team begins the trek Saturday morning, July 23, leaving Dorman Gymnasium about 8 a.m. in a caravan of vehicles that includes the Team Peacock bus. The team travels to Glenwood for the official start and travels 454 miles to end up in Davenport on Saturday, July 30. One change to this year’s RAGBRAI is that flooding along the Missouri River will not allow riders to dip their bicycle tires into the river at the start of the ride. However, according to RAGBRAI officials, local students have a tankful of river water that riders can use for the traditional dip.
The UIU Team Peacock was organized as a fund-raising initiative. Every dollar raised supports scholarships for UIU students. In 2011, the team expects to hit a cumulative seven-year total of $1 million.
“In these difficult financial times, nearly all of our students need additional financial assistance to complete their college degree,” said UIU President Alan G. Walker. “We are pleased to dedicate the week of riding in RAGBRAI to helping our students graduate with less debt. Our participation in the event grows each year, to the point we have had to add a waiting list of riders. We welcome everyone to come out and support Team Peacock and our students.”
As in previous years, UIU alums, who live in the RAGBRAI overnight towns, will open their yards and homes to team members each night.
Regular updates about the progress of Team Peacock will be posted online at www.uiu.edu/teampeacock. Or follow the team blog (http://upperiowauniversityblogs.org/blog29/), or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/teampeacock). Team Peacock will also be posting on Twitter and welcomes followers at http://twitter.com/#!/Upperiowa.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.