In honor of Meghann
Daughter inspires father to keep on riding
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| Randy Hasbrook of Sheffield joins bikers from around the country as they head out on a week-long RAGBRAI trip in July across northern Iowa. Heading into its 38th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world. Thousands of bikers participate each year in RAGBRAI. |
Photos from trip
PRINCETON — Investigator Randy Hasbrook has a hero, and it’s his daughter, Meghann.
Hasbrook, who has been with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department for 26 years, recently completed a 485-mile bike trip across northern Iowa as part of RAGBRAI, which is the acronym for Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. While riding those miles, he had plenty of time to enjoy the countryside and to think about things, including how his daughter is his inspiration.
Meghann, now 23, has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.
“Meghann is my hero. She has taught me a lot about life,” Hasbrook said. “She is my joy.”
Though RAGBRAI is not an official fundraising trip for any cause, Hasbrook has decided to turn his trip next year into a fundraiser for the Dream Factory of Central Illinois program in honor of Meghann.
Similar to the Make A Wish foundation, the Dream Factory of Central Illinois provides special trips and events for children and young people with life threatening diseases or conditions, Hasbrook said. In 2003, his daughter Meghann was the recipient of a week-long Dream Factory trip to Disney World in Florida.
Going to Disney World and getting to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse was a dream come true for his daughter, Hasbrook said. Accompanying Meghann on the trip was her dad and her cousin, Lauren Hasbrook. They stayed at Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Other family members also joined them in Florida.
Watching his daughter’s happiness as she experienced the dream of her lifetime is something he won’t ever forget, Hasbrook said. Now, he wants to help make a similar dream come true for someone else’s child, he said.
“The Dream Factory gave Meghann so much, and I felt it was time for me to give something back,” Hasbrook said. “I hope to raise enough money to provide a trip for someone else, so they can experience what Meghann experienced when she went to Disney World. She had a wonderful time.”
As part of next year’s fundraising efforts, Hasbrook expects to ride his 27-speed Trek road bike from business to business to ask for support.
Hasbrook took his first RAGBRAI trip three years ago after talking with friend Gail Edlefson of Manlius who was going on an upcoming trip. When a cancellation was made three weeks before the start of the RAGBRAI trip, Hasbrook decided to fill that vacancy. He didn’t have much time to train for the bike ride, but that was OK. Hasbrook is also a member of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, which takes trips around the Mississippi Valley area but nothing as big as RAGBRAI.
Looking back on his bike trips, Hasbrook said he enjoys biking because it’s a good stress-reliever and a good way to see the countryside and meet lots of new people. No two days, no two trips are ever the same.
On any given ride, on any given day, Hasbrook said he thinks about his daughter and how he wishes she was able to do bike rides with him. So for now, for as long as he’s able, he will continue to make his rides in honor of Meghann.
Excerpts from Randy's RAGBRAI journal
Saturday, July 24: The start
I boarded one of nine chartered buses for the east-west shuttle which left Dubuque at 8 a.m. and headed for Sioux City, the starting point for this year’s RAGBRAI. My bike was loaded on one of three semi-trailers, with the bus service courtesy of Pork Belly Ventures, a charter service out of Council Bluffs which will provide week-long services during this event.
Despite the 903 members riding in our group this year, I found my bags and bike at the check-in point (Sioux City) and headed for my tent. A quick trip down to the Missouri River a couple miles away from camp founding me dipping my rear tire in the water, a tradition shared by the majority of RAGBRAI riders.
Day 1 Sunday
5 a.m. I woke up to a cloudless sky and everyone scurrying to get out on the route, standing in line to use the KYBOs (porta-potties), which are numerous, etc. I am feeling good about the day, I weigh 20 pounds less than last year and am anxious to put the rubber to the road, my third RAGBRAI about to get underway.
Dense fog outside of Sioux City at sunrise quickly turned into a bright sunny sky as the route snaked out of the Missouri River Valley eastward for a total first day climb of 3,687 feet and through several towns before arriving 68.5 miles later at the first overnight town of Storm Lake. A quick dip in the lake was preceded by a welcomed shower. Another full moon night shined over the big lake onto our tents, giving us a splendid first day of memories, with many more to come. It quickly came to my mind that 26 years ago today was my first day working at the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department.
Day 2 Monday
5 a.m. Woke up to the same program as yesterday’s, KYBOs etc. Out on the road at 5:30 a.m. and ended the day at Algona, for a total climb of 1,083 feet. I made the decision at Pocahontas to ride the Karras Century Loop, named in honor of one of the founders of RAGBRAI. I logged in 101.3 miles as opposed to 79 miles by those not riding the Century Loop. A great ride and in at 4 p.m.
Day 3 Tuesday
5 a.m. Wake Up. Saw us preparing for a shorter day of 59.9 miles, with a total climb of 1,068 feet. Highlight of the day was the town of Britt, where they have an annual Hobo convention and museum and where I partook in some Hobo brew (root beer float) and riding along beautiful Clear Lake, which is Iowa’s second largest lake.
My 1 p.m. arrival at camp saw the temperature at 92 degrees with a heat index of 100 degrees.
Historically speaking, it was here “The Day The Music Died” when on Feb. 3, 1959, a plane carrying Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens crashed in a field five miles north of here. Ironically, Holly and his Crickets were to perform four days later at “Les Buzz Ballroom” in Spring Valley.
A concert at our camp by the Kansas City-based band, the Elders, put us in a most relaxing mood with their Celtic sound. Coincidentally the Elders had previously played with my childhood friend Jim Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers.
Day 4 Thursday
5 a.m. Wake up. A potent thunderstorm roared through camp about 3 a.m. that led to a torrential downpour, which made for a short night. We left our soggy campsite and hit the road for another 54 miles and 1,180 feet of climb. I took advantage of midweek laundry service provided by Pork Bellys, with proceeds going to the juvenile diabetes research fund. Another fantastic Elders concert topped off the evening.
Day 5 Thursday
4:30 a.m. Wake up. Took off at 5 a.m. as I wanted to get out on the road early to avoid congestion on the route as is typical during the morning hours of RAGBRAI.
Coming south out of Charles City, I could see the steam rising in the distance from the nearby Cedar River, and I got a neat pic of the sunrise with an old windmill in the foreground.
Our stop for the day was Waterloo, where we had a scrumptious sausage supper followed by a blues concert by Tom Woods and the Thunderbirds.
Day 6 Friday
5 a.m. Wake up and back on the road at 5:30 a.m., which will take us another 67 miles and another 2,635 feet of climb to Manchester. Ominous skies with threatening storms created a most interesting morning in northeast Iowa, with the rumbling of thunder and raindrops greeting us in Rowley.
By the time I road another 5.7 miles to Quasqueton, I was completely soaked from the ongoing downpour. I took cover at Wolfey’s where I ate a pork loin sandwich followed by one of the many slices of pie I would have during the week. Across the street at Wee Willy’s, I purchased a sweatshirt in order to continue on in the rain and keep warm as I had not packed my rain gear for this day.
I encountered hundreds of shivering riders who forged on to Manchester where rains finally came to an end.
Day 7 Saturday
5 a.m. Wake and on the road at 6 a.m., riding with three Texans in my group.
After going through the small town of Graf, population 73, we encountered Potter Hill, a 14 percent grade, 1.3 mile long incline that proved to be the ultimate and long-talked about challenge of the entire ride. Myself and one of the Texans made the 10-minute grind the entire way without stopping, most of the time pedaling while standing up.
After a short break at the top of the hill, we waited for the other two Texans, and then I was on to Dubuque, where thousands of people lined the streets, cheering us upon our arrival. We made our way to the port of Dubuque, where we dipped our front tires in the Mississippi River, ending a 53-mile ride and a final climb of 2,591 feet.
The people of Iowa are all so friendly and always willing to help, making this happening a most wonderful experience. Although it is hard to describe, one would almost have to experience this week-long mass of humanity firsthand to really gain insight as to what is RAGBRAI. But for me, RAGBRAI is much more than riding for a week in the corn!
