Local planning begins for RAGBRAI LII visit in July

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