Originally Posted by
Iowegian
Kaul had a somewhat irreverent column (Black Coffee?) and wrote about anything that came to his mind (or so it seemed...). The whole 'great bike ride' nomenclature was a bit tongue in cheek but it turned out to be prescient in a way. I was in 8th grade in 1973 too so I didn't make it. Still hope to some day.
Kaul's column was "Over the Coffee" on the back page of the first section of the Des Moines Register. He passed away during RAGBRAI last summer. I put an "RIP Donald Kaul" note on the back of my rack trunk. Very few people riding knew who he was. I delivered the Register from 6th grade until I went away to college.