RAGRBAI: University of Iowa student carries grandfather’s ashes on final ride

IOWA CITY - The cherished memories of Chuck Corwin will be recalled across many miles next week as his granddaughter and close cycling friends carry his ashes alongside them to the Mississippi River.

Corwin, who died in June, was an avid cyclist who was well-known in West Des Moines. He had ridden on the RAGBRAI 30 consecutive times.

His granddaughter, Clare Mitchell, 19, a University of Iowa student, will help honor his tradition by carrying his ashes with her when she participates in the ride. She will be riding Wednesday through July 29, and plans to cap the week by scattering his ashes at the end of the journey.

'I've tried my adult life to be just like him,” she said, noting that like him, she, too, goes to the UI, likes to cycle and is going on RAGBRAI.

Mitchell said her grandfather inspired her to be the person she is, and that RAGBRAI will help her be close to him one last time.

'It's been really hard to grasp the world without him in it. He was such a giant part of my life,” Mitchell said.

Having participated in RAGBRAI for the full week only one time, Mitchell said she was able to experience that with her grandfather.

She remembered biking one time during the hilliest day of RAGBRAI. Because the two were stubborn, they didn't want to stop and walk their bikes up a big hill.

'Finally we get to the top and there was someone selling watermelon on the side of the road,” Mitchell said. 'He said, ‘Let's stop there and get watermelon.'”

During that moment, Mitchell said, she felt so close to him.

'He was a young spirit and old soul. I loved him so much,” she said.

Corwin's old cycling team also will meet during RAGBRAI for a celebration of his life in Clear Lake.

'My grandpa was a pillar in the community,” Mitchell said. 'He said he never met a person who wasn't his friend. He embodied the spirit of RAGBRAI.”

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