Cities along this year's RAGBRAI route are doing a lot of advance planning for the tens of thousands of bicycle riders who will be peddling through later this month. The bike riders arrive in Ames July 25th for an overnight stop. They'll travel thru Slater, Polk City, and Ankeny on the 26th, and spend the night in Des Moines. The bikers then head east on the 27th thru Altoona, Mitchellville, Colfax, Newton, and Grinnell, on their way to Tama that night. Those who live along the route can expect some streets blocked on those days, to allow the bike ride to pass through.
It's the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI. Susan Gwiasda of the City of Ames says the thousands of riders, support vehicles, vendors and others will be directed toward Main Street in Ames, where there will be food food and entertainment. Gwiasda says they're looking for volunteers to greet riders and even host riders in their homes, or in their yards.
She encourages those willing to volunteer to find more details on DiscoverAmes.
The City of Ankeny has notified residents along the RAGBRAI route who will be directly impacted by road closures.