‘Sakes alive doin’ RAGBRAI at 95,’ Cedar Rapids man proves age is just a number

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - They say that age is just a number, and if you want to do the entire 454 miles of RAGBRAI at age 95, why not!

Clarence Boesenberg, of Cedar Rapids, is 95-years-old, and he’s been putting in the miles to get ready for RAGBRAI this year.

He said he put in 9,300 miles in 2020, because it was something he could while the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down.

“I ride all over,” Boesenberg said. “I go over to Anamosa and go up to Center point and down through Palo. I rode to Iowa City last week. So, I ride all over. I have been to most of the little towns around.”

Clarence has completed the last eight RAGBRAI’s from start to finish, and this year will be no different. He will do all the stages again, and he is ready for that first day from Lamars to Sac City, 83.8 miles with 2,681 feet of climb.

“To start out the first day with a long ride like that,” he said. “I think the sag wagon will be pretty busy.”

But Boesenberg won’t need that sag wagon. He has done much longer rides this year.

“I have done a century ride, 100 miles,” Boesenberg said. “It was no problem.”

It was tough on Clarence missing RAGBRAI last year, because he enjoys it so much.

“Those pork chops that Mr. Pork Chop has, and the turkey legs, I like those,” he said “I just like meeting all the people from all over. They come from everywhere. Everybody is so friendly.”

And yes, cyclist are shocked when they find out how old he is.

“A lot of people just can’t believe that I am still riding at 95, but really I am really well blessed,” Boesenberg said. “Of course, I work at it myself. I am sure it has made a big difference in my health.”

Clarence always puts a slogan on the back of his bike, he missed last year, but he has a new one this year. And he says it gets a lot of attention.

“It was going to be doing one more at 94,” he said. “Now here it is. ‘Sakes alive doing RAGBRAI at 95.’

Clarence camps out each night in a tent. He is doing the first day by himself this year, and then his grandson will join him for the rest of RAGBRAI.

Copyright 2021 KCRG. All rights reserved.