RAGBRAI pies aren't just tasty they bring a community together

CHURDAN — Pie devouring is a must along the RAGBRAI route, but for a community of just under 400 people catering the all-American treat can be a bit challenging.

Nine Churdan community organizations came together to make the pie tasting experience a reality for riders coming through Tuesday’s meeting town.  Volunteers representing church groups, the library, 4H and even the local  high school came together as one to bake and serve up several hundred pies.

“They told us we needed pie so we made pie,” Churdan Library Director Shari Minnehan said. “We were told it was an important part of the experience. The riders love the homemade pie and the majority of the volunteers made homemade pies.”

Store bought pie was difficult to come by in the Churdan Public Library, where volunteers aging from 8 to 88-years-old gathered.

Just yesterday more than 20 women  sliced all the pies in preparation for today’s midway stop. More than 75 volunteers signed up to bake and ten different varieties were available — red raspberry, black berry, triple berry and rhubarb went the quickest, Minnehan added.

Riders started buying the slices as early as 7 a.m., before the volunteers were even completely set up. By noon, the only flavors left were apple, cherry and peach.

Greene County is home to less than 10,000 people and the city was told to prepare for twice that amount  in cyclists, Minnehan said. Despite the overwhelming sensation the entire community came together to make it happen.

“We did what we could and I think they (the community) really enjoyed it,” she said. “They kind of grimaced at first but they love it. Everyone has had fun and it’s amazing to see this many people in town.”

Their combined efforts were obviously appreciated. Lines formed as riders waited to get their hands on the homemade grub.

Jason Wittmer, 40, of Clive took his first bite of RAGBRAI pie in Churdan, apple was his choice for the day.

“It’s just a RAGBRAI thing and it’s something to look forward to. You race to get to the rhubarb before it’s gone,” he said. “It’s something you just don’t get to eat everyday.”

The rhubarb was gone by the time Wittmer arrived in Churdan today, but that’s okay– during RAGBRAI, there is always more pie tomorrow.

“You have to keep your eyes open for it, they don’t sell it in every town  . You can usually tell where it is because there’s a line,” he said. “I’ll get out earlier (tomorrow) for that rhubarb.”

 –Katie Stinson

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