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  • Tue March 19 2013
  • Posted Mar 19, 2013

RAGBRAI organizers have finally laid out their complete route. Riders cycling through the Metro will pass through a historic district. One where shop owners can't wait to peddle their wares.

Dennis Victor owns Fishlips 3 Beads and Blues in Historic Valley Junction. He can't wait for RAGBRAI to pass through town on July 23rd.

"When you bring 10,000 people to an eclectic kind of shopping environment, usually it's not the straight–edge people that do RAGBRAI," said Victor. "They're adventurous and want to have fun, and that's really what Valley Junction is all about."

Kelly Sharp agrees. She owns the novelty store Heart of Iowa in Valley Junction. The store carries an unusual mix of products Sharp thinks RAGBRAI riders will want.

"We'll probably be pretty attractive to the RAGBRAI riders because we have souvenirs for Iowa," said Sharp. "People want to come in and be able to take something back with them that is unique to Iowa and I think our store will do that for these folks."

Cyclists coming from Perry will pass through Minburn, Dallas Center and Van Meter before peddling down Grand and Railroad Avenues in West Des Moines.

"It'll be wow!" said Valley Junction shopper Vicki Fogue of Des Moines. "It'll be great. These shops...everybody will be out here welcoming them."

"I am so excited RAGBRAI is coming through Valley Junction," said Isa O'Hara, owner of Green Grounds Cafe. "It's just going to be amazing for all the businesses to be able to share what we have here."

Valley Junction won a 'Great American Main Street' award in 2012, something shop owners hope RAGBRAI riders will take notice of.

"They're going to remember it (Valley Junction)," said Victor. "They're going to want to come (on) a road trip back and come visit us again."

After leaving Valley Junction, riders will make their way to Water Works park in Des Moines where they'll spend the night.


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