From Juice Magazine: How to party in central Iowa

RAGBRAI riders coast down a hill on their way into Graf last year's RAGBRAI. (Christopher Gannon/The Des Moines Register)

This year, the 10,000-some riders on the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will pedal through the center of the state on a 454-mile route that ranks right in the middle in terms of difficulty. Not too long, not too hilly — just right, in fact, for enjoying the sights — and beer gardens — along the way. If you’re not an avid biker, but you want to take part in the fun, Altoona is right in Des Moines’ backyard and will be partying all day Wednesday, July 27. If you want to take a couple of vacation days to see Iowa outside an air-conditioned car, grab your bike, get a day pass and ride a day or two. — Juice Magazine

Party in Boone on Tuesday night
After a 71-mile day, riders’ efforts will be rewarded in Boone, where the town’s railroad heritage will be on full display. A special train will collect passengers downtown and take them on a scenic (and easier) trip back down into the river valley. The band Hairball headlines the night’s entertainment, after an earlier RAGBRAI appearance in Chariton back in 2009.

Ride from Boone to Altoona on Wednesday
Pass-through towns: Luther, Slater, Sheldahl, Alleman, White Oak, Elkhart, Bondurant
Highlights along the way: The brand-new High Trestle Trail Bridge, one of the largest pedestrian bridges in the country, is likely to attract plenty of attention. The half-mile long and 13-stories- high bridge sits just west of Slater. This town is also home to the Take Down Bar & Grill, 405 Main St., one of the more interesting bar names to be found on this year’s route. Wednesday is also farmers market day in Slater, and Corn Crib Catering will be selling its highly regarded pies and cookies. Members of the Methodist church in nearby Sheldahl are making homemade ice cream for RAGBRAI.

In Elkhart, riders can take advantage of a stationary feast provided by 19 food vendors, including St. Mary’s Catholic Church (which will offer pie), a local caterer well-known for pulled pork and two others selling fresh ice cream. Look for lawn games, such as ladder golf made from old bicycle parts. Everything will be on Main Street.
In Bondurant, play horseshoes, tug-of-war, bag toss and ladder golf on First Street Southeast between Grant and Main streets. Horse and carriage rides will be available. And don’t forgo a stop at Cory’s Irish Pub, 110 First St. S.E.

Wednesday night in Altoona
If you really just want to join the party, here is your plan of attack in Altoona:

Where to park: The Altoona RAGBRAI committee is urging people to park at the Southeast Polk high school and junior high school complex (8379 N.E. University Ave., Pleasant Hill), where shuttles will take you to the party. Parking is free.

The shuttles: $2 for a round-trip ride on the shuttle, which runs until 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Get on the “Ram Route” and ride to the main entertainment venue next to the aquatic center, or the family entertainment venue at Haines Park. From there, you can also hop on the “Gold Route” at Altoona Elementary School to go to Adventureland or Prairie Meadows.

What it costs: To enjoy all the entertainment, buy a RAGBRAI Altoona community T-shirt, which acts as your ticket into the main entertainment venue and gets you into Adventureland for half price July 27.

Buy a shirt at a variety of Altoona businesses (the Altoona Hy-Vee, Lutz Pharmacy, the Altoona Walgreens, etc.) for $15.

You can also order one online at ragbrai-altoona.com, but it will cost you $20. You can also wait to buy one at the door, but if none are available, you’ll pay $20 to get in.

Main entertainment venue schedule
4:30 p.m.: Beer garden opens
5-7 p.m.: Music begins, with Pirate Over 50 and the Mississippi Band
8-9:30 p.m.: Grand Funk Railroad
10-11:30 p.m.: Cowboy Mouth

More info
Go to ragbrai-altoona.com for vendor lists, detailed maps, to buy a T-shirt and more.

Ride from Altoona to Grinnell
Pass-through towns: Mitchellville, Colfax, Baxter, Rock Creek State Park

Highlights along the way: In Mitchellville, find about a dozen food vendors, offering mostly breakfast items, scattered through the small community. Team 36 Bar & Grill, which is on the route, has been designed the official “Hair of the Dawg” bloody mary stop.

The five churches in Colfax will join forces to host a sort of pie-a-palooza in the air-conditioned gym at Howard Street Christian Church, which is right on the RAGBRAI route. In addition to pie, the church group will offer another Iowa specialty — cinnamon rolls. In Baxter, the last stop with food and entertainment before Grinnell, stop by O’Kelly’s Steak & Pub (106 N. Main St.) for apple pie shots. The Congregational church will hand out free Popsicles and several school groups will have food booths along Main Street.

One of the largest state parks in central Iowa, Rock Creek, is seven miles west of Grinnell. Spread over more than 600 acres, Rock Creek State Park is home to a lake with 15 miles of shoreline and more than 200 campsites, about half of which have electrical outlets. In Grinnell, participate in a handprint mural creation project at Grinnell Area Arts Center. At 6 p.m. in the downtown area, there will be a decorated bike parade, which will feature bicycles following behind a marching bagpipe band.

RAGBRAI riders form a train while dancing last year in Dike. (Christopher Gannon/The Des Moines Register)

RAGBRAI at a glance
Day 1 (Sunday, July 24) Glenwood to Atlantic
63.8 miles
4,471 feet of climb

Day 2 (Monday, July 25) Atlantic to Carroll
65.8 miles
4,731 feet of climb

Day 3 (Tuesday, July 26) Carroll to Boone
71.5 miles
1,761 feet of climb

Day 4 (Wednesday, July 27) Boone to Altoona
54.9 miles
1,158 feet of climb

Day 5 (Thursday, July 28) Altoona to Grinnell
56.2 miles
3,185 feet of climb

Day 6 (Friday, July 29) Grinnell to Coralville
76.0 miles
2,488 feet of climb

Day 7 (Saturday, July 30) Coralville to Davenport
64.6 miles
2,373 feet of climb

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