All You Need to Know About the RAGBRAI Baggage Transport Trucks
- 9 July, 2014
- Jared
A great benefit of your RAGBRAI registration is baggage transport between the overnight towns. In addition, RAGBRAI establishes a campground exclusively for riders who utilize the RAGBRAI baggage transport.
Here’s how it works:
Each registered rider is allowed one bag with a total weight of 50lbs.
Bags are weighed before loading.
Soft-sided bags only.
No hard sided bags, trailers, Bobs, bike boxes or bike cases.
Look for the Heartland Express semi-trucks (planned locations below).
Trucks open at 5:00am – you walk your bag up the cool RAGBRAI ramps on the RAGBRAI baggage trucks.
Trucks leave promptly at 8:00am.
Bags arrive in the overnight town and are available for pick-up by 12:00 noon each day.
Bags are unloaded in a secure area at the overnight town – bags are exposed to the weather elements so pack accordingly.
RAGBRAI Bag Crew will match your wristband number to your bag tag number
Bag security is provided until 6:00pm.
Follow the orange “BIKE” signs each day and they will lead you to the RAGBRAI baggage area.
In 2013 the RAGBRAI baggage crew transported bags for over 1,600 riders daily. Rider feedback indicated it took less than 5 minutes for most riders to pick up their bags. Riders also asked for more information on baggage locations for baggage. Here is what we have planned:
(Please note that the locations are subject to change)
Rock Valley
Rock Valley Sports Complex (northeast edge of town on 17th Street)
Google Maps = 2107 17th St, Rock Valley, IA
Riders can be dropped off in the gravel parking lot. Baggage trucks will be on the gravel lot. Camping at the north end of the complex.
Camping conditions = Soccer and baseball fields. Limited shade.
Okoboji
Okoboji High School – Milford, IA (south end of football field on H Avenue)
Google Maps = 701 H Ave, Milford, IA
Bike Route enters Milford from the west on County Road A34. Turn south (right) on H Avenue for 6 blocks. Baggage trucks in the football parking lot. Camping in the areas south and west of the football field.
Camping conditions = Camping on practice athletic fields. Shade on perimeter. No camping in football stadium.
Emmetsburg
Iowa Lakes Community College (east side of campus off N. Superior Street)
Google Maps = N Superior St & Sunset Cir, Emmetsburg, IA
Bike Route enters on College Drive. Turn south (left) on North Superior Street for one block. Baggage trucks in the college parking lot. Camping in adjacent area.
Camping conditions = Nice grass soccer fields. No shade.
Forest City
Forest City Elementary School (grounds behind school off Spring Valley Road)
Google Maps = 34753 N. Spring Valley Road, Forest City, IA
Bike Route enters on Spring Valley Road. Continue on Spring Valley Road until you reach the baggage trucks parked by the wind generator. Camping in the adjacent grass area. Use the wind generator as a landmark.
Camping conditions = Grass practice field. Shade around perimeter.
Mason City
East Park (east side of Mason City off E. State Street)
Google Maps = S. Virginia Ave & 4th St. NE, Mason City, IA
Bike Route enters on northwest side of town – riders must ride through most of town to reach East Park. Baggage trucks in lot at 4th Street NE & S. Virginia Avenue. Camping in adjacent area.
Camping conditions = City park grass area. Plenty of shade around perimeter.
Waverly
Wartburg University (just east of football stadium)
Google maps = intersection of 5th Ave NW & 9th St. NW, Waverly, IA
Bike Route enters on north side of town on 12th Street. Turn east (left) on 5th Ave NW. Baggage Trucks on 5th Ave NW. Camping in area between Clinton Hall & Hebron Hall.
Camping conditions = Grass ‘commons’ area between dormitories. Camping area extends south for 4 city blocks. Plenty of shade.
Independence
East & West Elementary Schools (west side of town off 1st Street W)
Google maps = West Elementary School, Independence, IA
Bike Route enters on the north side of town on 5th Avenue NE. Turn west (right) on 1st Street for one mile. Baggage trucks in parking lot behind East & west Elementary Schools. Camping in adjacent grass fields.
Camping conditions = Grass practice fields. Shade around perimeter.
Guttenberg
Just south of Dip Site
Google Maps = S. River Park Drive & Koerner St, Guttenberg, IA
Bike Route passes through Guttenberg on S. River Park Drive to dip site on south side of town. Baggage trucks are on S. River Park Drive at Koerner St.
(Note: Baggage security ends at 4:00pm on the final day (July 26)
Remember that these are the planned locations and could change. Always follow the orange “BIKE” signs each day to reach the RAGBRAI baggage area and look for the inflatable Bag Man along with the Heartland Express trucks.
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Very helpful explanation for this newbie.
Now, if someone could provide thoughts on security (should I put a lock on my tent zippers, how do I secure my bike overnight), I’d vet those last few niggles/panic/control issues/etc out of my head.
Very helpful explanation for this newbie.
Now, if someone could provide thoughts on security (should I put a lock on my tent zippers, how do I secure my bike overnight), I’d vet those last few niggles/panic/control issues/etc out of my head.
I’m going with better safe than sorry.
Last year was my first time and it’s kind of crazy, but everyone leaves their bikes unlocked and their stuff in their tents without securing them. I was worried at first, but as the week went on, I did the same and everything was fine.
I lock our bikes together at night, but never worry about leaving bags in my tent unattended when I’m off eating, or what-have-you. Of course, I don’t leave valuable electronics laying out or anything like that.
RAGBRAIers in general are a trustworthy bunch, you should be just fine.
I am able to put all my luggage in the tent., I very seldom lock my bike.. I have taken a tent rope an\d wrap it around the bike at night if necessary.
This is our first time riding RAGBRAI. We have been fortunate to get host families for some of the overnights. My question is, can we put our bag with tent, etc. back on the truck in the afternoon so we don’t have to take it with us to our host family location overnight?