First time RAGBRAI’r so forgive me if I am asking some basic questions.
I only found out I would be riding two weeks ago so I am scrambling to get up to speed, in particular with the logistics.
Does RAGBRAI provide maps of each host town with the campsite layout (where are the toilets? showers? where do we pick up our bags?) and possibly with other attractions / services the town has to offer (places to eat, shop, etc…)? Or does everyone make up their own host town maps?
Do they also provide maps of the route with services (places to eat/drink) marked along the way or again are the riders expected to do this themselves?
Thanks for any advice…
17 Replies
Hi Sam, welcome to the best bike party on this planet! Each Host community has a web site. They will be posting additional info. ASAP. I’ll see you on an Iowa Kurb!
Sam,
The RAGBRAI volunteers do a great job of directing, answering questions and making sure your needs are met during your stay in their town. As far as what to see and do, go explore! Make the most of your week by experiencing as much as you can. (Michrider does offer an excellent suggestion by visiting each host towns website for things to see and do).
During the bike expo on Saturday, look for laminated flip maps of the route which are easy to carry in you jersey or clip to your bar.
Regarding food, you’re in for a big treat. Try some of the infamous RAGBRAI vendors but don’t forget hearty meals can also be had at churches and the local civic organizations as well.
See you in July!
The Register will have the route maps showing which towns have bike shops set up in them and how long they will be there. It also shows where the main campground will be and where the register trucks will be. If you don’t get the map, just follow the black and orange arrows.
Towns often will be out the night before going through the campground handing out papers with maps, food locations and shuttle routs between the campgrounds.
During the day don’t worry about finding food. Stands will be everywhere. Often in pass through towns cheerleaders, scouts, and others will be in the streets trying to direct people to their places.sometimes a block or so off the route. Really no way to map out all the pass through towns and placard in-between. But the vendors often know where they will be the next day and will have a sign up. They also put plenty of signs along the road.
Great information guys,Thanks!
Take a look at Sunday’s map from last year. This is the type of daily maps that will eventually be posted on RAGBRAI’s site.
https://ragbrai.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sunday-Day-1-2011.jpg
Sam,
Depending on your cell carrier you can add GPS navigation to your phone (does not require a smart phone). I added VZ Navigator to my phone (Verizon). Before RAGBRAI I enter each address for all the campsites. When I get to the edge of the over night town I pull over, pull up the address for that town and let the GPS voice from my jersey pocket direct me to the campsite.
Or you could mapquest each town and find the address your team is staying at each night and draw a little map. Cover it in clear mailing tape, front & back, to protect it from rain and sweat.
If your staying at the main campgrounds just follow the line of riders.
Bill
The following are Google maps I’m working on for the QCBC Charter service. If you have a smartphone and the Google Map Ap. You can use the follow links to view maps to our campsites. I’m still adding information to the maps as I get it from the host towns. They are open for public use.
Sioux Center
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf13d57a6ea0b5fa0&msa=0
Cherokee
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf1413d1b955e9bc7&msa=0
Lake View
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf156262dfed01e88&msa=0
Webster City
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf15a7b7053f00fb0&msa=0
Marshalltown
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf15b3b21aa8189d2&msa=0
Cedar Rapids
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf15bb6caa7b4e9ff&msa=0
Anamosa
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf15e27f08f5d73a0&msa=0
Clinton
http://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bf15e73edf914ba2b&msa=0
Note these maps are tailored for the QCBC campsite. Not all campsite locations and information is posted. Please refer to the host community for specific information for your group.
Your rider packet will contain a rider pamphlet. The centerfold of your rider pamphlet will be a route map. Sorry, no pretty models. Pull the map out and put it in a plastic bag in your bike bag. In the rider packet will be a certificate to pickup your RAGBRAI 2012 patch. Take that certificate to the RAGBRAI merchandise trailer at the Expo on Saturday to receive your patch. While at the merchandise trailer pick up one of the route maps printed on heavy card stock that will be in wire racks next to the merchandise trailer. Maps, info, and even some menus for overnight towns will be posted on each town’s website as those decisions are made by each town. I don’t pay much attention to those websites until after the 4th of July because sometimes changes must be made.
RIDE RIGHT My best advice is to read the road signs, follow the herd and ya can’t go wrong.
Tony, you are a whiz!!!!
RIDE RIGHT
The following links are daily route maps for QCBC charter. There are Google maps. that can be down loaded onto smartphones with the Google Map ap. Again they are tailored for QCBC.
RAGBRAI XL Daily Routes
Day 1
Sioux Center to Cherokee
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004baf8d2833f7da4aee&msa=0
Day 2
Cerokee to Lake View
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bbb61d779926639c3&msa=0
Day 3
Lake View to Webster City
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bbeba55ca7f459538&msa=0
Day 4
Webster City to Marshalltown
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bc01b23ba96318819&msa=0
Day 5
Marshalltown to Cedar Rapids
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bc02520058e707746&msa=0
Day 6
Cedar Rapids to Anamosa
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bc02c2870a4d61bd3&msa=0
Day 7
Anamosa to Clinton
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203226550861311149782.0004bc087688e102ef461&msa=0
Thanks everyone, looks like there is more than enough information out there.
Tony, thanks for the maps. Those will be great to get familiar with the layout of the host towns.
The day 4 map from Webster City to Marhalltown posted here is not correct. Main street is undergoing a massive rebuild this summer west of downtown, so if you try to bike into town according to that map, you’ll have to carry your bike on your shoulders for a mile or more. The correct route takes you just one mile south on Highway 330, then east on Summit into town. The map is available on Marshalltown’s RAGBRAI webpage.
There are actually three campround sites in Marshalltown. The main one is at Riverview Park. A second is family-friendly at Anson Park with a playground. The third is at the Marshall County Fairgrounds, which is for RV’s and support vehicles needing continuous generator power. Each site is color coded, and all you have to do is follow the correct colored arrows that will be painted on the streets. If you are just following the herd, the herd will split off on different routes, so know where you are camping in advance.
Shuttles will be available making continuous loops from the campground sites to downtown, where the Courthouse square is the center of planned activities. Marshalltown is fairly bike-friendly, so feel free to explore on your own. You can see the courthouse dome for miles in every direction to use as a navigation beacon or to guide you on your own to ‘ground zero’.
As I said above these maps are being updated as I get information from the host towns. Most of them do not have any maps posted yet. The maps are tailored for QCBC riders. Please refer to the host town for your groups site information.
Thank you for the information on Marshalltown. I see they have their route into town posted now. I will make corrections to the map.
Thanks Tony!!
I am a first time rider and have chartered with QCBC (if Dixon got my check).
See you in camp!
Sean