News : Zimmer bike to be part of \'Riding Through History\' exhibit in DM

The bike Van Zimmer of Vinton rode in RAGBRAI 40 years ago will be on display starting in July.

On May 9, 1972, Judge Van & Julie Zimmer of Vinton used their wedding gift money to purchase brand new bicycles. In 1974, Judge Zimmer rode his Schwinn Super Sport on SAGBRAI (AKA RAGBRAI II). Almost exactly 41 years after purchasing his bicycle, he donated it to the State Historical Museum at the State Historical Building of Iowa. Zimmer also donated his t-shirt from that year and the cancelled check from purchasing his bicycle.

The Zimmer items are among many now forming a collection for a display that will soon open in Des Moines.

"Riding Through History" is set to open July 19, says Morgan.

"This is a terrific addition to the Museum Collection and we are very grateful to Van and Julie Zimmer," said Jeff Morgan, the public information officer for the State Historical Society of Iowa.

"The exhibit idea originated from conversations between the Department of Cultural Affairs and The Des Moines Register," said Morgan. "The conversation began about two years ago in conjunction with the upcoming 40th Anniversary of RAGBRAI. The upcoming exhibit Riding Through History grew out of those conversations and it is scheduled to open July 19, 2013. The exhibit will detail the history of bicycling in Iowa and feature 40 years of RAGBRAI."

The State Historical Museum of Iowa has been actively seeking bicycling and RAGBRAI-related artifacts for the Museum’s permanent collection.

Judge Van Zimmer’s bicycle will be part of the exhibit, as well as several other bicycles, including a John Deere bicycle, RAGBRAI co-founder John Karras’ custom-built RAGBRAI bicycle, and Wesley Redhead’s wooden spoke bicycle. Redhead got his bike in the late 1860s; it is believed to be one of the first bicycles in Iowa!

These bicycles will be on exhibit beside other artifacts, including: Carter LeBeau’s rugby socks, Mr. Pork Chop’s hat & apron, an original Chris Cakes t-shirt & spatula and Clarence Pickard’s pith helmet.

For more information about “Riding Through History” be sure to “like” History Biker on Facebook at www.facebook.com and on Twitter @HistoryBiker. These frequent posts come from Vinton native Jessica Rundlett.

“Riding Through History” will open to the public on Friday, July 19. The State Historical Museum of Iowa is planning a full day of family-friendly celebrating when RAGBRAI XLI rolls through Des Moines on Tuesday, July 23.

Private tours of the Museum Collection are available by contacting Sarah Macht via telephone at 515-242-5193 or e-mail at sarah.macht@iowa.gov. Tours last approximately one hour and are $10 per person, with a minimum group size of four.