That is the time the IA State Patrol rolls through town and shuts down the services (food, bike repair, etc.) in town. It is to keep the cyclists moving along the route.

The route may not have special police services prior to the end of service time if biker traffic has fallen off enough. Another important thing is that it is also the last sweep of the Ragbrai sag wagon, which generally starts five miles outside of the start town. The sag wagon will take registered riders and their bikes (perhaps later for the bike alone, that is what those upside down bikes on the left side are- those with a flag have had the rider picked up) to the day’s end town. Each town has a shut down time with the first’s usually being at 11 am and the meeting town’s usually being 2 pm. Later from the towns, sometimes the biking/drinking clubs can help someone out.

They set that time based on 10 miles from overight town. So 20 miles out would be 4:00. And yes, thsts when the highway patrol will shut down the beer garden. Vendors will close up, and the sag wagon will leave for the final time. If it’s a really brutal day they might bring in more sag vehicals and extend that time.

Okay the service is limited to specific hours, just like i cannot watch cbs all access outside usa. Exactly like the route special pass.