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