Photo: Travel Iowa
(Ankeny, Iowa) -- 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.
The official route will begin on the northwest side of the city on NW Irvinedale Drive. The streets on the route will close as early as 7:30 a.m. until around 5 p.m. The route includes stops for the Bicycle Bash in Uptown and the District at Prairie Trail. Riders will leave Ankeny via South Ankeny Boulevard/Highway 69. A map of the route is attached. Turn by turn directions:
1. NW 118th Street to NW Irvinedale Drive
2. Turn right on NW Irvinedale Drive to NW 18th Street
3. Turn left on NW 18th Street to NW State Street
4. Turn right on NW State Street to NW Prairie Ridge Drive
5. Turn left on NW Prairie Ridge Drive to NW Ash Drive
6. Turn right on NW Ash Drive, which becomes SW Cherry Street to SW Magazine Road
7. Turn right on SW Magazine Road to SW District Drive
8. Turn left on SW District Drive to SW Prairie Trail Pkwy.
9. Turn left on SW Prairie Trail Pkwy to S. Ankeny BLVD
10. Turn right on S. Ankeny Boulevard to travel to Des Moines
City staff and RAGBRAI organizers have worked diligently to minimize disruptions and provide appropriate safety and support during the event. A plan is in place for emergency services to remain accessible throughout the day to the entire city.