Ellis Boulevard, May’s Island, Czech Village to welcome riders

CEDAR RAPIDS - RAGBRAI organizers in Cedar Rapids have their plan in place for when more than 20,000 bicyclists roll into town this summer.

The cyclists will arrive July 26 after an 85-mile trip from Marshalltown, the longest stretch of the weeklong ride across Iowa. They'll enter the city by turning from Covington Road on Ellis Boulevard NW, then following the Cedar River into the city and to two of the three overnight camping stops.

When they leave the next day for Anamosa, they'll wind along First Street NW and C Street NW, turn onto 16th Avenue SW and proceed through Czech Village and across the 16th Avenue Bridge to the New Bohemia district.

Both the route itself and the entertainment - scheduled for the May's Island area of downtown - are meant to showcase how far the city has come in its recovery from the Floods of 2008. For example, damaged homes scheduled for demolition yet this summer will disappear on a ride-route-first priority.

Jennifer Pickar, RAGBRAI publicity chair, said communities put their best foot forward when the cyclists come to town.

“It's a great time for the city, and businesses, to spiff up a little and be really welcoming,” she said.

Calvin Spinka, president of the Czech Village Association, said the riders will see a lot of new and recovered businesses as they head out of town.

“I think it's something to be proud of, we are coming back,” he said. “It wasn't easy, but it's happening.”

John Rocarek, owner of Sykora Bakery in Czech Village, said “busy” doesn't quite cover this summer. Less than two weeks before the RAGBRAI stop, the nearby National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library will reopen for the first time since the flood.

“It's going to be hectic and crazy, and we're all taking our vacations now,” Rocarek said.

RAGBRAI organizers also picked the camping sites for bicyclists and supporters. The majority will go to Ellis Park, with a smaller number headed to Cherry Hill Park and the Veterans Memorial Stadium area.

Learn more at www.CedarRapidsRAGBRAI.com