Cedar Rapids, Anamosa to be overnight RAGBRAI stops

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's been more than two decades since bicyclists have made an overnight stop in Cedar Rapids as part of RAGBRAI, but that drought ended with an announcement Saturday of this summer's route.

Cedar Rapids was one of eight host communities identified for the weeklong bicycle ride across Iowa, scheduled for July 22 to 28.

The others are Sioux Center, Cherokee, Lake View, Webster City, Marshalltown, Anamosa and Clinton.

The last time the ride stopped in Cedar Rapids was in 1990, when campers were headquartered at Noelridge Park in northeast Cedar Rapids. Anamosa was an overnight stop for RAGBRAI in 2002.

This time, the city's core will be the primary focus, said Marilee Fowler, president and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The plan is to have a downtown party,” Fowler said, “to really showcase where Cedar Rapids is, four years after the (2008) flood.”

Campsites are tentatively planned for May's Island, she said, with shuttle buses to Czech Village and the New Bohemia district for food and entertainment.

“We really want people to experience the comeback of Cedar Rapids, four years later,” Fowler said.

The Cedar Rapids overnight is scheduled for Thursday, July 26. Anamosa will host riders the next day, July 27.

Fowler said supporters have been working on the effort since last summer.

More than 20 committees have already been formed, working on street closings, safety and other details, she said.

Besides showcasing flood recovery, Fowler said the stop can be used as a fundraiser for organizations that provide food and other offerings for the riders.

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the event, which attracts thousands of bicyclists every year and is coordinated by the Des Moines Register.

Coralville was one of the host cities last year and other area towns, such as Hiawatha, have been overnight stops in recent years.