By Estelle Johnson
Special correspondent to the Cedar Falls News Hub
It’s time to gear up for RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annul Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. RAGBRAI comes through Cedar Falls on July 24.
This means that Brent Johnson, owner of BikeTech in Cedar Falls, is pedaling at full speed — fixing flats, tightening chains and replacing various bicycle mechanics for his customers in anticipation of the 52nd edition of the big event.
Originally from Clinton, Iowa, Brent found his home in Cedar Falls while studying Industrial Technologies at the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated from UNI in 2002.
Brent’s love for cycling took off while he was a student — as biking is a quick way to travel around campus. He also notes that Cedar Falls’ local trails were a large benefactor in founding his passion.
Brent is the main Mr. Fix-it man when it comes to RAGBRAI. An illustration on the lower end of his shop window displays his connection to biking with an imaginary road across the map of Iowa and the words “official bicycle retailer,” indicating that he does bike sales and services the bikes of riders along the RAGBRAI route.
Located in the former and now historic Cedar Falls Post Office building, at 217 Washington St., the store has deservedly become a part of the RAGBRAI life and lore.
Beyond BikeTech and RAGBRAI, Brent is a husband and father. His wife, Amy Mohr, is the senior associate director of Alumni Relations at UNI. Their son, Elijah, went along with his dad for the pre-ride inspection in June. During the 2023 pre-ride inspection, the father-son duo rode a tandem bike, which is a two seated bicycle.
Adding to this, Brent is an active community member of Cedar Falls. He currently serves on the tourism board, which works to promote the town as a popular destination. Johnson also serves on the planning and zoning commission, which reviews ordinances and rezoning requests.
Brent purchased the business in 2006 from founder Troy Meyeraan, after working in the industry for many years. In 2006, the store was located at 122 Main St., which is now the Chocolaterie Stam. In 2015, Brent moved BikeTech to its present building – the renovated post office where the architecture is a reminder of the town’s history.
When I arrived to interview Brent at 8 a.m. on July 9. By the time I had walked into the store, he had already settled in, and had been lubing a chain on a bicycle. The shop doesn’t open to the public until 10 a.m., but you better believe he is hard at work much, much earlier.
“I’m working between 12 and 16 hour days,” he says. “We’re trying to accommodate everyone.”
A month ago, Brent was out on the road for the RAGBRAI route inspection pre-ride. From June 1 to June 7, a team of experienced cyclists rode the route, before all of the RAGBRAI riders cycle through communities at the end of July. The total length of the ride is 406 miles, and according to the RAGBRAI website, this will be the second shortest route and sixth flattest RAGBRAI in its history.
Brent noted his responsibilities as an inspector include answering questions on behalf of bike shops, and making sure that cycling issues are fixed before the major ride. From quick bike fixes, to chatting with locals – there’s plenty for him and the team to do during the inspection ride.
“It’s a tight-knit group, and everyone has a specific job,” he says.
During the RAGBRAI ride, Brent assists riders in fixing mechanical issues, simple and complicated, as they come.
“I always say, we bring the entire bike shop… minus the bike,” he said. “There’s plenty of repairs we wouldn’t normally do in the shop, but we figure out a way to get it riding so riders can keep going.”
Brent is experienced in the RAGBRAI event. He remembers how RAGBRAI has hosted activities on UNI campus in the past. While RV parking with a vehicle pass and $40 dorm rooms are available for cyclists at UNI, main events are being held on Main.
“I think it’s awesome that they’re supposed to be downtown,” he notes. “Downtown is the heart of Cedar Falls, and it’s really cool that everyone’s gonna be staying out here.”
A testament to Johnson’s commitment to RAGBRAI would be the amount of time he has spent not only riding, but helping other cyclists along their ride.
“I figured out I’ve spent 1% of my life on RAGBRAI,” Brent, who is 45 years old, said.
That’s 4,200 hours.
Brent is a spirited human with immense love and loyalty for the city he resides in, and the business he runs. His shop is a major part of the cycling culture in Cedar Falls – which is prominent, as cyclists are out and about regularly on the community trail.
Brent’s ultimate goal?
“Keep everyone riding, and keep the trails going,” he says.