Father and son off to Iowa to cycle for charity
Alex Dailey training in Cayman for his Iowa adventure
(CNS): A father and son from Cayman leave today (13 July) for a biking adventure in the US, where they and another local rider will be joining a group of friends and several thousand others on a weeklong 500-mile trip across Iowa. Tim Dailey and his son Alex, 9, are taking part in RAGBRAI (the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) and raising money for three Cayman charities. Sarah Burton is the third participant from Cayman.
In its 43th year, RAGBRAI is considered the oldest, largest and longest bicycle-touring event in the world. This year’s ride runs from 24-30 July.
Tim Dailey explained they got involved in RAGBRAI through close family friends from Indiana who take part in the event, and have been coming to Cayman for more than 30 years.
“They have been trying to get me to come up for a number of years but time and circumstance did not allow,” he said. “My mother went a couple of times with them and loved it and it just happened that this year we are going to be in Indiana this weekend for a wedding so it made sense to extend our trip and dive in to the ride.”
He said his son is very excited to be participating: “Alex is really looking forward to a different riding experience and also, he says, camping. We have never done anything like it and this is a week of riding and camping in the yards and grounds of hosts along the route.
“We have a support vehicle that meets us halfway each day and at the overnight towns so we can send our supplies ahead and then take our time enjoying the ride.”
He also spoke of the great atmosphere of the event. “We go through several towns each day so there is lots to entertain us and in between the towns the farmers come out and cheer riders along, sell snacks and drinks, and generally show their support.”
They also plan to participate in the traditional dunking of the bike tyres in the Missouri River at the start of the ride, and in the Mississippi River at the end.
The elder Dailey added that the bicycle ride has been on the bucket list of children’s yoga teacher Burton for many years. “Her motivation and enthusiasm has kept both Alex and I focused and also kept up the excitement for the ride,” he said.
Organiser The Des Moine Register newspaper described the event as a rolling celebration of Iowa, which attracts participants from all 50 states and many countries.
The Daileys are raising funds for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, Cayman HospiceCare and One Dog at a Time. “I felt it was a good opportunity to show Alex how he could give back to others through undertaking activities where people could show support for his efforts,” Tim Dailey said.
As of this week, Alex has raised $2,000 of his $3,000 target.
To donate, go to the “RAGBRAI Ride for Cayman Causes” GoFundMe page
