Geared up for RAGBRAI

Ready or not, RAGBRAI will hit southwest Iowa next Sunday with all the force of a hungry, thirsty, two-wheeled cavalry.

Even before the first bikes arrive, the ride is already bringing excitement, anticipation and the occasional note of apprehension to the communities that will be visited along the way.

“We have vendors, showers, campsites — all the basic needs for the riders are met,” said Melanie West, a member of the Red Oak RAGBRAI Organizing Committee.

“We have the logistics covered. All that comes now is putting on the party.”

The basics by themselves are no small feat.

Before the first band can step on stage or a beer can be poured, five campsites have to be staked out, two streets have to be closed and the entire Montgomery County Fair — which takes place Wednesday through Saturday night — needs to be packed up and cleared off the premises.

Around 300 residents are set to volunteer their time managing events, overseeing campsites and handling dozens of other ride-day tasks.

If all goes well, the city's overnight visitors will take no notice of their living arrangements and ride off with happy memories of a car show, carnival, NASCAR display and multiple stages of live music.

West said the emphasis has been on arranging events with a “hometown flair.”

“We've had calls and offers from entertainers from more than 20 different countries,” West said. “That's great, but what our entertainment director has decided is that we want to keep things very local, with as many Iowa-based acts as possible.”

Local talent isn't the only thing that will be on display.

Community leaders from Red Oak to Council Bluffs are encouraging roadside residents to get there property tidy in time for the ride.

“We sent everybody in our village a note to keep things cleaned up, and we will make a trip around town to see if anything needs to be cleaned up,” said Dwayne Call, chairman of the Mineola RAGBRAI committee. He said any big messes would be dealt with at the owner's expense.

The community of about 200 residents will feature a lineup of antique tractors along with pancake and local steakhouse stops and a couple of independent stands for snacks and beverages.

Cleanup efforts are under way all along the route. Mills and Montgomery Counties are sending out workers to mow ditches and firm up gravel roads, while “Weed Eating Wednesdays” are being staged in Red Oak, with members of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors group spending a few hours each week pulling weeds, picking up trash and managing public flower beds.

In Henderson, the volunteer fire department will take charge of Sunday events. The firefighters will sponsor a grilled burger and sweet corn meal and, according to Henderson RAGBRAI organizer Mike Baumsalk, “try to make sure things stay halfway in order” when the onslaught of riders charges through town.

Cyclists who stop in Henderson will be able to make a free call from the Iowa Telecom call trailer, top off their water from the Iowa National Guard's mobile purification unit or stop off at the Henderson Beer Barn for something a little bit stronger.

“We're looking forward to a big day of having a whole lot of fun,” Baumsalk said. “It's a lot of craziness, but we're hoping for decent weather so people stop.”

Once riders get through to Red Oak, most will have to claim some space on a first-come, first-served basis. One of the city's five campgrounds will be a family-friendly area, closed to alcohol and managed by a local church. And riders are out of luck if they're looking for a roof to sleep under — most host homes are already spoken for.

Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Sampson said about 50 deputies, city officers and reserves will be on duty during the weekend. Red Oak Police Chief Drew Power, whose officers will close down two streets for the event, said he is looking forward to a fun, safe weekend.

“We're going to be watching things very closely, but we want things to go well just as much or more than anyone else,” he said.

Red Oak's RAGBRAI logo is a puzzle piece, because the ride is one of numerous events Red Oak has fit together this summer along with Motor Ioway, Junction Days, the Montgomery County Fair and the Red Oak Fly In.

But volunteers and residents along the route are hoping for more than a rest after the rush is over and riders have gone on toward Greenfield.

“You never know when you will have upward of 20,000 people visiting your community, but you put your best foot forward,” West said. “The best thing we can hope for is that they leave with good thoughts and hopefully return again someday.”