RAGBRAI usually has 12,000 to 13,000 participants, he said, but noted many more join the event in progress.

On top of the participants in the two events, there will be 50,000 spectators and 5,000 volunteers, he said.

“The city does an outstanding job of putting Bix on,” Froehlich said. “It will be a longer day, but I’m sure the City of Davenport and the Davenport Police Department will do a good job.”

Taylor recalled the positive effect RAGBRAI had on LeClaire. Hotel rooms were completely booked and businesses reported record-setting profits for that day, but it meant more than that.

“It is a broad-based way to build community pride because you are all working toward a single goal,” he said. “I think you’ll see lots of civic pride that will result in RAGBRAI coming to Davenport and the Quad-Cities.”

Barney and Gluba see Davenport’s participation in RAGBRAI as a chance to increase the city and region’s visibility.

Gluba looks forward to showing off improvements to “Iowa’s front porch,” from the Hotel Blackhawk to Modern Woodmen Park and Centennial Park. Taylor thinks riders and runners will jam Quad-Cities hotel and motel rooms and reservations will be at a premium as early as today.