Team UFFDA thankful for RAGBRAI preparations

I want to thank you in advance of our arrival for all the work you as a community have been doing in preparation to this “flash mob” called RAGBRAI - this one No. 40. Your weeks and months of preparation do not go unnoticed. We appreciate everything that you do from the kids and grandparents at the curb waving us into town, to the people sweating in triple-digit temps setting up tents, shelters, signs, to the people who labored those late night hours trying to accommodate some pretty odd housing requests.

I still remember the person who hosted us on our very first overnight 19 years ago. We are originally from Storm Lake, where dad was a funeral director, tuba player for the Kiwanis Zauer Kraut Band and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce met the 170 riders of RAGBRAI No. 1 as they rode into town. Boy, have times changed!

We have ridden as a family for all these years and now ride without Dad, who passed away in April. He was our King Olaf for one week every year. It will be an emotional ride this year as we arrive in your city. Please see our blog and articles for more information as to why what you do is so special to us this year (www.teamuffda.blogspot.com and http://lovingthebike.com/uncategorized/an-emotional-ragbrai-ride-dedicated-to-grandpa-Nelson).

Hats off to you!

Jon Nelson

Team UFFDA

Omaha