ICYMI: Josh Turek Rode the First Day of RAGBRAI

ICYMI: Josh Turek Rode the First Day of RAGBRAI

Josh joined thousands of riders and hand-cycled across Western Iowa

Des Moines, IA – Yesterday, U.S. Senate candidate and Paralympian Josh Turek rode a handcycle through Western Iowa on the first day of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Josh rolled through Onawa, Turin, Soldier, Dunlap, Westphalia, and Harlan, meeting Iowans along the way, hearing about what issues matter most to them, and celebrating the great Iowa tradition.

Missed it? See below for some highlights.

KTIV: Iowa Rep. Josh Turek participates in the first day of RAGBRAI

[Turek] said he is used to overcoming setbacks. Turek has used a wheelchair since childhood and is using a handheld tricycle to take part in the annual Iowa tradition.
I feel like it’s another challenge, but this one is unique … I really am excited. It’s a great Iowa tradition, get to see so much of the state, so many great riders. I’m excited for today.”
Turek took off from Onawa today at 7am, which is roughly the same time most people left. Turek was more than able to keep pace with the rest of the riders, and was even able to beat our KTIV crew to the breakfast stop in Turin.

CBS: Josh Turek, a paralympian with Spina bifida, is one of thousands of people biking across Iowa this week

There’s tens of thousands of bicyclists riding across Iowa this week, and among them is Josh Turek, a Paralympian gold medalist basketball player who is trying to flip an Iowa Senate seat blue for the first time in over a decade.
“You need a candidate who has a unique ability to connect with independents, with the 37% of voters that are independents, and with Republicans.”
Like a lot of things in Iowa, politicians have been participating in this tour for decades, but not all of them have Josh Turek’s story. He has spina bifida, as a result of his father’s service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, and has been a disabilities advocate for his entire life.
“I see myself as a common sense prairie populist […] This upcoming election is about cost, corruption, kitchen table issues.”

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