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Team Member Spotlight: Stacy Wikner

Stacy Wikner Bike Ride in front of 100 sign

Stacy Wikner has accomplished a momentous achievement!

Stacy Wikner, Dental Hygienist in Leesburg has completed the 49th annual RAGBRAI, (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa).

RAGBRAI is more than just a bike ride, it is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world. Stacy Wikner completed her over 465-mile bicycling journey alongside her husband who had the RAGBRAI at the top of his bucket list after enduring a double knee replacement.

They started in St. Bluff, Iowa with their back tire in the Missouri River and completed their journey in Lansing, Iowa with their front tire in the Mississippi River. RAGBRAI 2022 took place from July 24th-30th with stretches going from 47 miles to 105 miles a day. This year over 17,000 bicyclists participated in this multi-day bicycling journey to include professionals, amateurs, and disabled bicyclists alike.

Preparing for the Challenging Ride Ahead

Stacy shared that she prepared for this multiday bicycling challenge. She and her husband have been training since last fall and have put in countless hours into training. They started with small obtainable goals from 5-mile loops around the Winter Garden Bike Trail to 60-mile loops around Clermont. Stacy states that she stayed motivated because emotionally and financially they were very invested.

When asked if she would suggest this to her co-workers she said yes. Stacy states that it is not easy, but anyone can do it. She saw first-hand a 95-year-old bicyclist complete the mission. When asked what her advice would be for someone interested in completing a RAGBRAI she gave three points pieces of advice:

  1. Start in the fall- the weather is cooler, and it is much easier to build your endurance.
  2. Make small obtainable goals- Start with a 5-mile loop and add a couple of miles each time. If you try to complete a 50-mile lap, you’ll tire yourself out and be discouraged that you can’t complete the journey.
  3. Keep reminding yourself: “I’m not the fastest, but I’m not the last.”

Congratulations Stacy! We are proud of you and your accomplishment.

NOTE: Be certain to seek guidance from your medical provider as necessary before starting any new exercise program.

Please Note: While Community Health Centers has compiled the information on this page diligently and to the best of its knowledge, Community Health Centers does not assume any liability for the accuracy of the information or any damages resulting from the use of the information.
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