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By Shelia Tomkins
The local committee in charge of welcoming the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) to Guttenberg this July reminds residents of the positive opportunities that will come to the community. RAGBRAI has been described as a rolling party — and Guttenberg residents are invited to celebrate along with the riders. "It is both a celebration FOR the community and a celebration OF the community," said Nancy McClellan, a co-chair of the local RAGBRAI committee. In addition to community pride in being chosen as the final stop on this year's ride, the influx of bikers and their entourage will bring economic benefits to the community. Visitors will need food, lodging and other amenities. Local groups and organizations are urged to sign up now to become approved vendors this summer. (See story in the March 5 issue of The Press). Riders and their entourages will be in Guttenberg on two weekends. On July 18 some will arrive here, park their cars here, stay overnight, and take other transportation to western Iowa to begin the ride. On July 26, the ride will end in Guttenberg with an expected influx of 15,000-20,000 visitors. An additional financial incentive will take place after the event when the Guttenberg RAGBRAI committee allocates its local profits to participating non-profit organizations. RAGBRAI is a time to recognize the wonderful assets that Iowa has to offer, and the local RAGBRAI committee hopes that the impression left by the reception in Guttenberg will inspire visitors to return to the community for a longer stay. It's a unparalleled opportunity to promote local tourism. Many local volunteers are needed to make the event a success. Being on a RAGBRAI committee, whether it be for hospitality, information, parking, special events, or other roles, is a wonderful way to become part of a team with a shared goal of being great community ambassadors. If you would like to help in any way: •Visit the website www.guttenbergragbrai.com and click on the forms link. •or use the link https://signup.com/go/EDnJqpo •You can also email: [email protected]
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 Local volunteers who are making plans for the Register's Annual Great Ride Across Iowa joined others from across the state for a RAGBRAI meeting on March 6-7. This year's ride ends in Guttenberg on July 26. From left are Dr. Jim Osterhaus, Dan Pierce, Donna Hinzman, Dan Kuempel, Austin Greve, Jamie Blume, Sue Osterhaus and Diane Thiese. (Press photo)
By Shelia Tomkins
Would you like to be a community ambassador when the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) comes to Guttenberg in July? The local RAGBRAI committee encourages you to sign up now for a role in making the event a success. Riders and their entourages will be in Guttenberg on two weekends. On July 18 some will arrive here, park their cars, stay overnight, and take other transportation to western Iowa to begin the ride. On July 26, the ride will end in Guttenberg with an expected influx of 15,000-20,000 visitors. The local committee is in need of people who would be willing to help perform a variety of activities. Volunteers are needed for the following areas: Concierge Service - on July 18 and 26 to assist riders to and from campgrounds, parking areas, local dining facilities, etc. Entertainment/Special Events - on July 18 and 26 to assist in set-up and coordination of entertainment Hospitality - various times between July 14 through 26 to place and remove signs, sell T-shirts, greet riders, etc. Information Center - on July 18 and 26 to hand out maps, answer questions, etc. Long-Term Parking - on July 18 and 26 to help riders find their assigned parking/camping area Public Safety - on July 26 to assist along the riders' route to enforce parking, post and remove signs and to direct and assist riders so they stay on the approved ride route. Vendors Assistance - on July 26 to help food and other vendors find their assigned spots. Photographers - on July 26 to take pictures of the riders at the dip site using the riders' cameras. How to volunteer If you would like to help in any way: •Visit the website www.guttenbergragbrai.com and click on the forms link. •or use the link https://signup.com/go/EDnJqpo •You can also email: [email protected]. Volunteers will receive a free RAGBRAI t-shirt to identify them as volunteers. Donna Hinzman heads up the local volunteer committee. By Shelia Tomkins
Vendors are being lined up now to offer food or other items to visitors taking part in the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) when it comes to Guttenberg in July. The local RAGBRAI committee has announced two deadlines for vendor applications: •March 21 if you plan to pre-sell items on the Guttenberg RAGBRAI website. Showers, food and other items for July 18-19 can be sold via this method. •June 1 if you plan to sell food or other items in person on July 26. Churches, civic groups, organizations and local establishments are encouraged to participate by serving food on either or both of the two RAGBRAI weekends in Guttenberg. The weekend of July 18-19 (parking weekend) will see a need for Friday evening meals, Saturday morning breakfast and box lunches. Vendors, offerings, locations and hours will be included on the Guttenberg RAGBRAI website. On July 26 (arrival day) vendors offering both food and non-food items will be set up in the south park area. Approved vendors will be advertised on the local website and marked on a town map that will be delivered to Oelwein the night prior. The committee will make a distinction between official and non-official vendors. Official vendors will receive a poster, and state RAGBRAI officials encourage riders to patronize them. Vendors set their own prices. Non-official vendors will be shut down. Note that if a business has a presence in town and plans to serve its normal fare at the business site, they do not pay a vendor fee. Also, if a business decides to offer food, and they don't normally do so, they will be required to pay a vendor fee and follow vendor requirements. Vendors must furnish tax information, a copy of their existing or temporary food service license and proof of liability insurance. Fees are based on whether the applicant is local or non-local, for- profit or non-profit, and whether or not the site has electricity. To apply to become an official vendor, or for further information, contact Sandy Dean by email at [email protected]. An application is available by visiting the website www.guttenbergragbrai.com and clicking on the forms link. By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg RAGBRAI committee is seeking volunteers who can offer overnight accommodations for RAGBRAI riders or support staff when they visit here in July. Since Guttenberg is the end point of this year's ride, the community will host riders and their entourages twice in July — prior to the ride and at the end of the ride on July 26. Many riders will park their vehicles here ahead of the ride, take other transportation to western Iowa where the ride begins, and then pick up their vehicles when the ride ends here. Some riders will want or need to stay at a home versus camping in the park. These riders are essentially house guests for the night. Home stays will be needed for both weekends — on July 18 when some riders will park here and on July 26 when the ride ends in Guttenberg. Hosts are needed to provide off-street parking for motor homes, space for tents, bed and/or bathroom facilities. Hosts are only expected to provide a place for riders to rest their heads for the night. This space can be either inside or outside Local housing volunteers are not required to entertain guests or provide them with amenities. Hosts are not required to transport or feed the riders. The local housing coordinator will pair local residents offering their homes with riders requesting them. The following guidelines spell out the expectations of riders and hosts: What a rider expects: A place to put a tent outside, or inside floor space for a sleeping bag. Access, if possible, to a bathroom and shower. Possibly somewhere to fill a water bottle. What a rider should NOT expect: To have full use of your house; to be fed and entertained; towels, soap or shampoo. What a host can expect: Well-behaved, appreciative guests who will remember your kindness — you will meet some fascinating people. The riders will arrive mid-to early afternoon and be gone by 9 a.m. the next day. What is completely up to you: How many guests and who (you get to select them yourself; restroom facilities. How to become a host Anyone interested in hosting a home stay should contact local coordinator Donna Hinzman, [email protected].  At right, two state RAGBRAI officials, Director Matt Phippen and Marketing Director Anne Lawrie, were in Guttenberg on Feb. 5 to offer guidance to local volunteers who are preparing for the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, due to end in Guttenberg on July 26. Volunteers in attendance included Aus-tin Greve, Nancy McClellan, Dan Kuempel, Donna Hinzman, Dan Pierce, Fred Schaub, John Hess, Derek Chambers, Dennis McNeal, Sarah Moser, Kerri Smith, Paul Decker, Jamie Blume, Diane Thiese, Matthew Brownfield, and Michelle and Travis Geuder. (Press photo by Austin Greve)
By Shelia Tomkins
Following the announcement on Jan. 25 that RAGBRAI LII, the annual bike ride across Iowa, would end in Guttenberg, local residents began scrambling to form planning committees ahead of the influx of bikers and support staff in July. A preliminary planning meeting was held Jan. 29 at the Guttenberg Municipal Building. Nancy McClellan, who was co-chair of the local committee in 2014, reviewed the preparations that took place for the successful event 11 years ago. It was noted that one of the first order of business is to come up with a theme and a logo. Those attending the meeting in addition to McClellan were Mayor Fred Schaub, City Manager Jamie Blume, Police Chief Derek Chambers, city council member Austin Greve, Chamber Director Matthew Brownfeld, Public Works Director Dan Pierce, County Emergency Services Director Sarah Moser, John Hess, Ken McClellan, Donna Hinzman, Dan Kuempel, Dennis McNeal, council member Michelle Geuder and Travis Geuder. Since Guttenberg is the end point of this year's ride, the community will host riders and their entourages twice in July — prior to the ride and at the end of the ride. Many riders will park their vehicles here ahead of the ride, take other transportation to western Iowa where the ride begins, and then pick up their vehicles when the ride ends here. Last year's ride saw 30,000 people register for the week or day rides. Volunteers sought An enormous amount of planning will take place in the months prior to July 26. Local officials and committees will need to deal with issues such as vendors, parking, public safety, entertainment, camping options, sanitation, showers, volunteer training, hospitality, shuttle transportation, website information and other topics. State RAGBRAI officials were expected here on Feb. 5 to review plans and offer advice. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to step forward now. To learn more, contact Donna Hinzman, 563-880-0110 or email [email protected] or visit the local RAGBRAI Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GuttenbergRAGBRAI2025 By Shelia Tomkins
Guttenberg will be the ending point for the 52nd annual Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) this summer. The announcement was made this past weekend at an event in Waukee. On Saturday, July 26, riders and their entourages will swell the community's population when they arrive here from an overnight stop in Oelwein. Last year's ride drew 30,000 weeklong and single-day participants. This year's ride is billed as the shortest in RAGBRAI history and will begin in Orange City. The exact route will be announced in April. RAGBRAI last ended in Guttenberg in 2014. |