Visiting Sioux City on Sunday was a treat for many reasons but especially to see what a marvelous job Craig and April Cooper of Bike To You are doing serving people from all over the world on the week long bike ride across Iowa, Ragbrai. As ourgrinnell.com walked through the 6 pop-ups (tent like business stations on four legs)  it was evident to see that months of planning and years of experience were involved. 

Craig and April have been one of the selected Ragbrai retailers and bicycle repair stations since 1994 when on their first Ragbrai there were only three working the week long event, two in the retail tent and Craig on the road at a repair station for distressed riders, returning in the evening to help with repairs and sales at the Ragbrai Expo.

Today Bikes To You has 28 employees and volunteers including long time helpers Kim and Austin Jones. Kim and Austin are seasoned having been with Bike To You for 14 years, Kim helps set up, tear down and assists with retail, Austin rides during the day and then helps with retail in the afternoon and evening. Others volunteering are Matt Charnetski and Laura May, Sam Charnetski, Drew Cooper, Katie Cooper and Alex Mitchell. Other shop employees and Grinnellians are also involved. 

Craig and April have been trendsetters among retailers at Ragbrai having the first uniform identification, first open shopping, first carpeting and now a complete shop on the road with the on the road repair station. Also first this year for Bikes To You is an iPad point of purchase calculator and electronic credit card processing for instant credit card approval.  

Congratulations to Grinnell's own Bike To You! Be sure to visit them the rest of the year for your bicycling needs.

Main Street Lofts