Cedar Rapids Gazette: Headwinds facing RAGBRAI, an iconic weeklong statewide summer bike ride, grew stronger this week as some Iowa tourism officials questioned whether it has been too skimpy in supporting the towns that host thousands of cyclists while it raises lucrative sums from fees and sponsorships. The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa generates some $2 million each year in rider fees alone. In addition, a publicly unknown amount is generated from merchandise, charter fees, vendors and sponsorships. The overnight communities on the route receive $8,500 each to help offset costs of providing public safety, transportation, campgrounds, entertainment and more, which can run $75,000 to $150,000 per community, organizers have said. Communities have struggled to break even.