Cedar Rapids leaders attend first RAGBRAI meeting

Preparations and planning are already under way for RAGBRAI 2012. Cedar Rapids is one of seven Iowa cities hosting overnight stops for the week-long event this summer.

On Wednesday, Cedar Rapids city leaders held their first RAGBRAI meeting with state RAGBRAI officials. The city learned it will now have to come up with a theme and logo for its stop.

City leaders said they are waiting for the logistics on when cyclists will be riding in and out before deciding on where to hold festivities and campers.But some local businesses said they are already seeing more customers since the announcement.

"We have already seen business. In fact, we had a gentleman in today that ended up spending about $2500 for a couple of new road bikes for his children to go on RAGBRAI," said Karl Moscrip, owner of Hall Bicycle Shop.

"Almost immediately we had some impact with Internet reservations, phone reservations sales were brisk immediately," said Gary Petrick, director of operations and sales at the Best Western Cooper's Mill Hotel.

Some hotels, like the Best Western Cooper's Mill, are already sold out for the night RAGBRAI stops in Cedar Rapids.

"For the local economy I think it is awesome, I think the amount of revenue that will be brought to the city is great," said Petrick.

City leaders said they will also have to develop a Web site dedicated to Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI. The city has created 21 different committees for the event and is looking for volunteers to be on them and help out in July.

"This will not only be a celebration for RAGBRAI's 40th anniversary, which is very important, but it will also be a celebration for Cedar Rapids to showcase our recovery after the flood," said Marilee Fowler, president of the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitor's Bureau.