Take That, January: Iowans Flock to Bike Expo

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition organizers were hoping for a bigger crowd when they waived the entry fee for the annual summit and expo. It was held at the same locationwas scheduled to be announced later in the evening.

Even with the waived fee and the excitement over the RAGBRAI announcement, they didn't expect the roughly 3,000 people that event organizer Mark Wyatt estimated stopped by. It didn't hurt that at 45 degrees, it felt like biking weather.

"This is a really great turnout," said Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coaltion, which is based in Iowa City. "It's great for biking in Iowa."

Be sure to check back tonight for updates for an article and photos from the 2012 RAGBRAI route announcement party. The announcement should come around 9:30 p.m. Follow @bmorelli14  on Twitter for updates.

On an unseasonably warm and sunny January day, a steady stream of cycling fans poured in and out of Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines. Inside, a collection of bike advocates and educators, trail stewards, cycling shop staff and inventors of some pretty cool gear set up to talk bikes. 

There was a bike that folded up to the size of a brief case, and a bike storage system that runs off a garage door opener. Q7 Cycling of Iowa City was on hand with a few racks of clothing. Bike World had a fleet of bikes. was giving away free bike jerseys. Cedar Falls cycling advocates had a booth, as well.

Throughout the day, there were also breakout sessions on topics such as marketing, safety and tourism.

"We have a lot of money wrapped up in infrastructures, but not a lot marketing," Wyatt said.

A recent study by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and the University of Northern Iowa Sustainable Tourism and Environment Program found that bicycling generates $364.8 Million Annually for Iowa.