Hotel rooms nearly gone for RAGBRAI weekend

It has evidently been a long five year wait for RAGBRAI riders and fans in Coralville.  Thursday Laurie Haman, Vice President of the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said many area hotels are already booked for the last weekend in July.

“It's a good indication of interest of the RAGBRAI riders,” she said.  “They want to get thier rooms early.”

But RAGBRAI wont be the only thing going on in town.  Haman said many students return to the University of Iowa that weekend as part of “Move-In Weekend.”  She also noted a local soccer tournament and conference have been planned for that weekend.

“It's going to be a busy weekend,” she said.  “So if you're looking to book a hotel you'd better act really fast.”

Despite the nearly full hotel situation, Haman said riders shouldn't worry.  She is expecting area residents to take in about 3,000 riders.

“Whether it's an RV parking in your driveway, or a sleeping bag or tent in your backyard, or opening your home so they (riders) can come into your home,” said Haman.

The Iowa City Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to launch an exclusively Coralville RAGBRAI website within the next few days.

For now, more information can be found at the RAGBRAI

website.