Thank you to the more than 100 individuals who joined us Aug. 30 for the second annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride! If only we could ride our bikes every Monday and call it “work”!
The ride kicked off at Jack Trice Stadium, where Iowa State University Head Football Coach Paul Rhoads gave a rally speech and ISU’s mascot, Cy, roamed the crowd taking photos. (I must admit, he didn’t have to try too hard to get me to pose with him.) After a tailgate lunch in Tent Row, there was a shot-gun start for all riders.
The Independence Ride included stops at three showcase plots, where riders learned about technologies including LibertyLink® corn and soybean products, Agrisure® Viptera 3111, and the Genuity® family of traits including Genuity SmartStaxTM corn hybrids and Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield® Soybeans. The fourth stop was a tour of the new Fareway Distribution Center where riders saw how new technology has increased the speed and efficiency at which the Boone-based grocer gets its products from the warehouse shelves to the delivery trucks.
At the end of the ride, everyone was treated to a a delicious hog roast at the Boone Country Fairgrounds. Cool prizes like customized motorcycle helmets donated by Agrisure and a Harley-Davidson grill donated by Zylstra H-D were awarded to some lucky riders. Following dinner, world record-holding motorcyclist Bubba Blackwell and his protégé, Chris Rayburn, fired up the crowd with some heart-stopping stunts. (Really, my heart nearly did stop when Rayburn sat on his handlebars and stood on his bike seat while popping a wheelie – we’ll share some video later this week). By the way, taking a picture with two motorcycle daredevils is as close as I’ll ever get to performing a stunt myself!
Thanks again to the many individuals who joined us last Monday on the 2nd Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride around central Iowa! We were reminded yet again of what great company we’re in when we’re surrounded by our customers, dealers and associates! We’re already planning next year’s ride, so check our blog and Facebook to be among the first to know when new details become available!
Thanks again, Independence Riders! We hope you’ll join us next year, too!