Hiawatha, Coralville vying for RAGBRAI stops

CEDAR RAPIDS - In an ideal move, Coralville and Hiawatha would become RAGBRAI brothers in arms this year, with each community hosting an overnight stay for the 10,000 bicyclists that ride each year.

Both communities - Hiawatha in Linn County and Coralville in Johnson County - have put in bids to be overnight host cities for the annual bike trek that sends bicyclists from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River in late July.

“This would be our fourth time if we're selected,” said Josh Schamberger, president of the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitor's Bureau. “We've pretty much averaged every five years.”

For Hiawatha, this would be the second time it's been a host city.

The official RAGBRAI route will be announced today in Des Moines.

Schamberger said he and Coralville City Manager Kelly Hayworth participate in RAGBRAI, so the chance to host an overnight would be fun for them as well as provide an economic boost for their community.

He said he hopes Hiawatha gets the nod, too, so the two communities can work together to provide a “Corridor experience” for riders.

One of the things Coralville hopes to do if selected as a host city is to provide a tailgating-type experience, with the possibility of incorporating a “college jersey day” into the ride.

“It would be pretty cool to roll into Coralville wearing a Valparaiso or Boise State jersey and get some of the good-natured ribbing from Iowa,” he said.

He said he and Hayworth plan to be at the announcement party to see what cities are chosen.