RAGBRAI Names Benton County Man as Director of Operations

A man who has long been involved with RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is now in charge of it.

Matt Phippen, who lives in Vinton, Iowa, has been hired as the new director of operations for the annual week-long bicycle ride across the Hawkeye State. He'll replace the former director who will still be involved but is now in charge of a new ride in the western U.S.

In a RAGBRAI media release, Phippen said,

RAGBRAI has been a major part of my life since I was 10 years old. I am honored to play a part in this iconic ride, tell the story of Iowa communities, and get more people on bicycles so we can continue the legacy of RAGBRAI for years to come.

 

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Phippen's involvement in RAGBRAI started In 1990 when his family hosted riders in their front yard. Eight years later, he rode the event for the first time. Over the years, he's also been a vendor, serviced on the planning committee for a town, has been a sponsor, and pre-ride advisor.

The 2022 RAGBRAI route, which will again traverse Iowa from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, will be announced on Friday, January 28.

Dieter Drake, who lives in Colorado and has been RAGBRAI's director of operations for just over two years, has been named the events operation director for Ventures Endurance's cycling division. He'll be in charge of a Colorado bicycling event called Ride the Rockies.