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Muscle Down to Mussel Town

Credit Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
This year's theme is "Muscle Down to Mussel Town," and was submitted by Dennis Palmer.

The city of Muscatine is preparing to welcome 15,000 national and international visitors. On July 30th, this year's RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, will end in the city of Muscatine.

Formerly known as the "Pearl Button Capital of the World," Muscatine held a contest to choose a theme, and the winning entry was submitted by Dennis Palmer. "Muscle Down to Mussel Town" is a phrase that pays tribute to Muscatine's history as the top-producer of buttons made from American Pearl Mussels in the late 1800's and early 1900's. 

This year's course covers 420 miles and begins at the Missouri River at Glenwood. Cyclists will dip their tires into the Missouri river to begin the journey, and end it by dipping their tires into the Mississippi River at Muscatine. 

According to estimates, RAGBRAI could generate up to three million dollars a day for the local economies of each host town. Organizers expect up to 10,000 riders to participate.