A group of Interstate Batteries® team members assembled in July for a 57-mile bike ride in Boone, Iowa. For most of us, the term “RAGBRAI” does not ring a bell, but in Iowa, the weeklong bike ride is a statewide tradition. Started in 1973, the Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa draws thousands of cyclists worldwide to ride from Iowa’s western border to the eastern border of the Mississippi River.

This year, Interstate team members Carlos Sepulveda, Chris Willis, Jon Simkins, Alan Vuckovich, Brian Weber, Rhonda Weber, Chad Marchant, Vince Wilson, and Ames, Iowa All Battery Center® franchisees Matt and Nancy Breen joined the cycling masses sporting Interstate green. Sepulveda likened the herd of riders to a running river, everyone moving together as one.

RAGBRAI began with two journalists as a bicycle ride across Iowa to learn more about Iowa’s landscape. Today, thousands join annually appreciating the scenery and participating in the daily events. The host cities change yearly, but the ideals remain the same. Give people the chance to experience the best Iowa has to offer in a unique way. For team members, the RAGBRAI was a chance to grow closer doing something they enjoy: cycling.

Unlike the fast-paced NASCAR races in which Interstate normally participates, the RAGBRAI emphasizes the “ride.” While traveling, a myriad of shops, carts, and vendors prepare goods for not only the cyclists, but the spectators as well. Most days rides end with food, music and activities. The cyclists enjoyed the lively atmosphere and the abundance of good food while traveling from Boone to Altoona, Iowa. Simkins explains the vendors often move with the race. “If you miss a vendor one day, you can normally find them the next,” but for some annual vendors the line would be up to a quarter-mile long.

Although the RAGBRAI is a weeklong event, many riders, like our Interstate team, only participate in a few days. Enrollment closes at 10,000 riders per day for safety reasons, but by unofficial estimates, nearly 20,000 cyclists participate each day of the ride. Each year officials choose a new route to cross Iowa, and each year the ride draws more people. This year’s riders are excited about the possibility of it becoming an annual event for Interstate, and like the RAGBRAI itself, the team member participation increasing as well.

More than 80 Interstate Batteries team members signed up to walk during Ditch the Desk on Wednesday, April 6. And they’ll do it again this Friday.

During last week’s walk, Interstate joined thousands of people across the country in the American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day. A recent AHA study shows only 15 percent of American adults achieve the Association’s recommended levels of moderate aerobic exercise, 30 minutes a day for five days a week.

As a 2010 Gold Achievement AHA-designated fit-friendly company, Interstate Batteries hosts these walks to help team members get and stay in shape. They’re also encouraged to join the Live Well On-The-Move Challenge from April 18 through May 15. This four-week team challenge promotes increased participation in regular physical activity.

“Walking is a great way to get some exercise. No membership dues, only shoes required,” says Janie Britton, human resources business partner. “We encourage everyone to make their own teams and get on the move.”

Team members who participate in On-The-Move and complete 400 minutes of physical activity by the end of the challenge period will earn 10 points toward their Live Well Engage Goal of 550 points. Each team member reports individual minutes of physical activity daily or weekly.

The three teams with the most activity minutes will win gift cards to Target, Walmart or Subway, as well as bragging rights. If there’s a tie, a drawing will determine the winning teams.

Does your workplace encourage you to ditch the desk? Tell us in the comments below. And if you’re looking for a fit-friendly workplace to call your own, check out our career opportunities page.

NOW do you see why this is a great place to work? And there’s good news — we’re hiring! Visit our Career Opportunities page to see the latest openings.

Even Executive Management is “hitting the ropes”!

The TX Tough has been rescheduled!  Due to anticipated weather and flooding from Hurricane Ike, the ride was moved to September 27 as part of the Autumn in Bonham ride.  Several members of the Interstate Bike Team will be participating.  You can visit the TX Tough site for more information, including a brochure for Autumn in Bonham.

Fitness Reimbursement

Looking for motivation to get in shape?  Interstate pays team members to work out!  The Fitness Reimbursement program has been in effect for over a year and is still going strong.  Team members who have a gym membership and work out at least 10 times per month can be reimbursed $25 monthly by Interstate.  At Interstate it pays to work out!