The RAGBRAI-BRR Room was an exciting challenge.



My father was a career newsman at the Des Moines Register. My connection therefore compelled me to stretch my skills to produce a final product that I hope all down at the register impressed. My original idea was to produce a visual narrative of the actual trek across the state and include actual landmarks which have hallmarked the ride over these many years.





I contacted the Register and obtained some slides and a few posters as visual reference. My husband and I then spent many hours driving through the back roads in the summer creating a photographic journal of the Iowa landscape. I scoured the newspapers for possible photos.





Over the years there have been sponsors and legendary individuals who have taken the River to River journey.
I wanted to include portraits of them as well.





Among the faces that look out at the visitors to the RAGBRI-BRR room is the gentle old Clarence Pickard in his pith helmet.





After finishing the "summer" ride, I began the "winter" ride which is a one day journey in the first week of February.





The bundled up bikers start in Perry and ride to the small town of Ripey. They take a break and begin the trip back to Perry.
This ride has been dubbed, appropriately, the BRR ride.





The Hagger family farm has been a traditional midway stop every year where cold and weary bikers can warm themselves with a cup of hot chocolate. I decided this was the place to go to get some inspiration. My husband and I pulled up to the house on a hot July afternoon and we spent the afternoon going over newspaper clippings and many photographs. The Haggers were very helpful. It is because of their help that I was able to paint the BRR mural with as much visual information as I have.







I also included several portraits of the BRR sponsors. The mural was installed in January of 2000.
I would like to think my father would be proud of my effort.