RAGBRAI Co-Founder Don Kaul: Iowa Time Machine July 22, 2018

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 22, 2018, Iowa lost a giant of journalism and a beloved community fixture: Donald Kaul, co-founder of the legendary RAGBRAI, passed away at the age of 83. Kaul’s life was marked by sharp wit, progressive advocacy in his columns, and his central role in creating what is now the world's largest, oldest, and longest recreational bike ride.

Kaul’s career as a columnist began after he graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in journalism. His satirical “Over the Coffee” columns in The Des Moines Register became must-read fare, known for their humor and biting commentary on everything from local politics to national scandals. Twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Kaul’s writing introduced him to generations of Iowans and shaped public discourse throughout the region and beyond. During his decades at the Register, he briefly left after an editorial rift, but was restored to the paper by a new editor who appreciated his talents and impact. 

It was in 1973, however, that Kaul cemented his legacy beyond the printed page. Alongside fellow Des Moines Register writer John Karras, Kaul helped launch the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, known affectionately as RAGBRAI. What began as a challenge between friends and an idea for a column became a full-fledged community event. They invited the public to join a weeklong ride from Sioux City to Davenport. Despite little advance notice, 300 riders joined them that first year, with stories of unexpected participants, like an 83-year-old completing the ride in an old Schwinn and woolen long underwear, quickly capturing Iowans’ imaginations.

Donald Kaul’s death on the opening day of RAGBRAI in 2018 was poignantly fitting, a closing of the circle for a man whose life and work embodied the event’s sense of adventure, humor, and community. Today, both his columns and the annual ride remain enduring testaments to what one individual, equipped with curiosity and a knack for connection, can achieve. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar