RAGBRAI Route Inspection Pre-Ride Day 4 – Ames to Newton

We took the State by Storm last night in Ames and we used our newfound Cycling Power to get to Nevada, Colo, State Center (Meeting Town), Melbourne, Baxter, and Newton, on Day 4 of the Route Inspection. We traveled 59.1 miles and powered through 1,777 feet of climb. Click this text for a map of the fourth day of RAGBRAI XLVI.

RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz gives instructions before riders leave Ames on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

It was a slightly shorter day but there are some challenging hills during the second half of the ride. We also ride all four directions so be conscious of wind direction and plan accordingly. That being said, take your time and enjoy the pass through towns, they are all excited to host you in a few short weeks!

Click this text for photos from Day 4 of the Route Inspection!

Here are the towns we visited today:

NEVADA

April and Craig Cooper take a selfie in Nevada on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

No it’s not pronounced like the state! Ne-Vay-Da. The town of Nevada is a pro at hosting RAGBRAI and will be ready for you and your breakfast needs. We had a briefer than normal stop today due to impending weather but we can’t wait until July to spend more time in this beautiful town!

Historical / Interesting Facts:

• Downtown listed on National Register of Historic Places.
• Nevada History Center – Lincoln Highway on display
• 1879 Italianate Historical Complex
• Site of first Story County jail.

Famous Citizens:

• Billy Sunday – White Sox baseball player and Evangelist
• Neva Patterson – Actress

Infamous Events: 3 ghosts live in the Talent Factory – former Camelot Theatre

Interesting Buildings / Restaurants / Sites: Talent Factory

Landscapes / Lakes / Parks:  S.C.O.R.E for swimming

For more info on Nevada’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/ragbrainevada2018/

COLO

Riders stop into Niland’s Cafe in Colo on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

Some of the festivities will be held on Main Street in Colo.  Local entertainment will be on stage throughout the afternoon.  The Fire Department will be serving breakfast burritos.  Flippin Flapjacks and Breakfast Delites will also be on hand.  Local churches will serve pies and rolls, and other nonprofits will be selling fruit cups and other items.

Some activities planned include a Human vs Tractor pull.  A Signature Wall will also be available on Main Street for riders.

As you head out of town, be sure to stop by the Nilands Café.  Beginning in the 1920s the Reed/Niland Corner provided travelers with gas, food and lodging.  Charlie Reed operated the gas station, and his nephew Clare Niland started up the café. Today, the restored complex is the only complete “One Stop” found in the entire length of the Lincoln or Jefferson Highway.  The Lincoln Highway spans 3389 miles from Times Square in New York City to the Western Terminus in San Francisco.  The Jefferson Highway runs from Winnipeg in Canada to New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Colo Motel still operates with 6 rooms available to rent.  Visit inside the café to learn about the site’s history as well as the Lincoln and Jefferson Highways.  The café will offer a limited menu of breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, burgers and tenderloins during the ride.  On a normal day, the café serves a full menu to match the 1940s setting.  Grab something from the café, then take a at the museum inside the gas station and a quick tour of the site.

Historical / Interesting Facts: Colo is the “Crossroads of the Nation” where the Jefferson Highway and the Lincoln Highway cross.

The town name came from a dog that got hit on the railroad tracks, named Colo.

Famous Citizens: State Treasurer, Michael Fritzgerald, was raised in Colo.

Interesting Buildings / Restaurants / Sites: Colo is home to a historical café called Niland’s Café. It is located on the Reed/Niland Corner

Landscapes / Lakes / Parks: Hickory Grove Park

For more information on the city of Colo, visit:
http://www.colo-iowa.org/

STATE CENTER (Meeting Town)

Rose Willey of Newton takes a picture of her bike in State Center, the rose capital of Iowa, on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

State Center is the Rose Capital of Iowa. The town’s theme is “Thorn to be Wild” to incorporate our Rose Capital. Rose Festival is the third weekend in June each year. State Center is also the geographic center of the state of Iowa, hence the name. The town with a population of 1,468 is our meeting town on Wednesday.  The Historic Lincoln Highway runs through Main Street.

State Center was a pass-through town for RAGBRAI last time it came in 2008. Riders will again be able to stop and take their picture in the center of Iowa, next to a pin drop “landmark”.

The high school drum line will do a couple of performances on Main Street, as well as the entire high school band playing a couple times throughout the day. A DJ will set up on Main Street across from the partially shaded beverage garden. There will be a life size version of Hungry Hungry Hippo, a bike tire ring toss game and other fun games,

In the downtown/Main Street area, they will have a nice mix of local and non-local vendors, and combined with the local restaurants, they should have plenty of food and beverage options.

Food / Vendors (over 20 including):

• Town fire station- grilling pork burgers (with their famous sauce)
• The Lion’s club- sweet corn on a stick and homemade pies baked by local churches
• Bailey’s Pizza- pizza by the slice
• State Center Locker- beef sticks
• Home Town Foods- grilling ribeye sandwiches
• Iowa Craft Beer Tent

Some interesting buildings / restaurants / sites include:

• Watson Grocery Store
• Center State Depot
• Historic Prairie School House
• Library (new expansion)
• Andrews (restaurant/bar)
• Road Hog’s (bar)
• Splash pad (Block off the route, free for riders)
• Rose Garden Park
• Kauffman Park and shelter
• Lincoln Valley Golf Course just east of town
• Brookside ball park.

State Center is a growing, stable small Iowa town with a vibrant Main Street along Historic Lincoln Highway. Friendly, warm citizens, welcoming to all who come to town.

For more info on State Center’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/SCRagbrai2018/ or www.statecenteriowa.org

MELBOURNE

Riders mount their bikes in Melbourne on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

G’day bikers! Melbourne will have an Australian theme – not down unda, right up on top! And they will be fundraising to build a replica of an old railroad bridge called “the Mousehole” that had to be demoed due to safety reasons.

The next thing you need to know about Melbourne is that during the ride they will have local non-profits serving 300 pies. So prepare yourself. Other outside vendors will include McSqueezins Lemonade, Brent Rocks, Thema’s ice cream sandwiches, Say Cheese (grilled cheese), Iowa Sweet Corn, Garden of Eden (veggie and meat burritos), Live the Ride (bicycle apparel), Climb for Haiti (salads), Custom Tags (tattoos, jewelry), Three Blind Pigs BBQ, Tender Tom’s Turkey, Dang Brother Pizza, and Claire’s Tenderloins.

Entertainment: take time to enjoy Dave Gallagher DJ, the water curtain, photo ops, murals to sign, possible inflatable “sumo” kangaroo boxing suits, and the beer garden! There is also a shady park as you are leaving on Owen Street.

History: Melbourne was incorporated in 1882 and was the only town in Marshall County served by two railroads. This ½ mile square mile, charming bedroom community is now home to 830 proud residents. They are located on the American Discovery Trail – a system of roads and trails, which collectively form a coast – to – coast biking and hiking trail across the mid-tier of the United States.

Melbourne has an annual town celebration called “Mousehole Days” to get the community together for fun, food and music. Melbourne has been known for our “Mousehole”, a railroad bridge over a road in town, which had to be torn down a few years ago. Our goal is to build a smaller replica of our iconic “Mousehole”. WE look forward to this opportunity to show off our wonderful community and will greatly appreciate the boost RAGBRAI will give us this summer.

Famous Citizens: There are no famous people who lived in Melbourne, but there have been many residents whom have had a positive impact on our small town.

• Herman “Smoke” Meier was an avid baseball player around 1910 and donated the land, laid out the baseball field and planted trees in the area which has now become our beautiful City Park.
• Ernest and Lydia Lollar built the flying service building which is now our Community Center and donated the land we know as Lollar Park.
• Nancy Adams, currently living in Melbourne, is the published author of two children’s books.
• On your route to Newton (on the Melbourne blacktop), you will travel by the early childhood home of the famous actress, Jean Seberg.

Infamous Events: In 1903 a fire, considered the worst disaster in the town’s history, destroyed the entire business district.

In 1981 a tornado destroyed the southern end of town, including the indoor pool, built in 1968, which then became an outdoor pool.

Interesting Buildings / Restaurants / Sites: The current Rec Center building was constructed in 1936 and serviced as the Lollar Airport-Flying Service and Implement Store. There was actually a runway for airplanes on the property.

Landscapes / Lakes / Parks: The most cultural and recreational area of town is the City Park, which consists of two ball fields, concession stands, basketball court and playground. This area also includes the Melbourne Pool (rebuilt and opened in June 2009), the Public Library built in 1998 and the Rec Center, which serves as a community center for Melbourne and surrounding areas. There is another smaller park, Lollar Park, on the Southwest corner of town, which provides even more green space.

For more info on the city of Melbourne, visit:
http://www.melbourneiowa.com/

BAXTER

Kathy Murphy and Andrea Parrott get back on their bikes in Baxter on day four of the 2018 RAGBRAI Pre-Ride Route Inspection Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

“Bolt Into Baxter” is the theme for the day.  The theme celebrates the new mascot for the high school.  Jam Time DJ will provide entertainment in Baxter as RAGBRAI rolls through.  A Wine Wagon will be on hand.  Cadillac Jacks will be open, and has a large serving area in the back.  The Fire Department will serve hamburgers and hot dogs.  Local vendors will be located in the community center.  Other vendors will be found on the main street as you peddle through downtown.

Historical / Interesting Facts: Baxter was originally named ‘Independence Center’ and located 1 ½ miles Southwest of its original location. The town was relocated to its present location due to the construction of the Chicago Great Western Railroad route from Marshalltown to Des Moines in October 1883. It was renamed Baxter after Baxter Higgins – postmaster from 1875 – 1884

Famous Citizens: The original school house in Independence Center (old Baxter) still remains and has been remodeled into a residence.

Interesting Buildings / Restaurants / Sites: Restored caboose at trail head

Landscapes / Lakes / Parks: Chichaqua Valley Rec Trail head

For more info on Baxter’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/baxterragbrai/

NEWTON

Newton will be saying “Aloha! Mahalo!” as RAGBRAI cyclists roll into Newton on July 25, 2018.

Everyone on RAGBRAI will enter a tropical beach getaway for some fun in the sun at the midway point of the ride as we welcome riders to Newton. As they approach downtown Newton, cyclists will be greeted by large surfboards, flip-flops, tropical flowers, and beach ball arches.

The main campgrounds, located at Historic Maytag Park, will provide plenty of opportunities to cool off with large shade trees and of course, Maytag Pool. The pool can be found nestled in the center of the park and has served as one of the main summertime family attractions in Newton. The pool features water fountains, two water slides, a diving well, and six 25 meter swimming lanes. Shuttles will be available throughout the community to bring people back to downtown Newton, which will play host to the RAGBRAI activities including food vendors, the beverage garden, and fun entertainment throughout the day.

Our musical acts throughout the afternoon include Newton native Cody Carter, Iowa native Damon Dotson, and local band Slipstream. The announcements for the evening performers, as well as our 9 p.m. headline band, are being made this week but you won’t be disappointed! Downtown Newton is also home to Newton Main Street and the Newton Downtown Historic District which consists of 85 properties including the beautiful Jasper County Courthouse. Downtown Newton is home to a variety of businesses including coffee shops, a movie theatre, restaurants, retailers, and more.

We know that “fun” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone, but we promise Newton offers something fun for everyone! There are plenty of other activities, restaurants, and stores located in Newton. Play disc golf in one of our beautiful parks, stop into our newly renovated public library, or tee off at Westwood Golf Course. Tour the Jasper County Historical Museum, or check out Newton’s 90 displays of public art – including sculptures and murals!

Keep an eye out for additional updates regarding happenings in Newton for RAGBRAI.  Something special could be planned that has to do with a certain race track near town.

There truly is something for everyone happening in Newton on July 25. We are all excited and proud to invite RAGBRAI cyclists to get to know Newton and enjoy the fun in the sun in July!

For more information about Newton’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.newtonragbrai.com/
https://www.facebook.com/newtonragbrai/
https://twitter.com/newtonragbrai

Don’t forget to check back for daily updates and photos from the second half of the route inspection ride here on the RAGBRAI web site www.ragbrai.com. You can also follow the pre-ride adventure and learn interesting tidbits about the route by following on Facebook Facebook.com/RAGBRAI or on TWITTER by following @RAGBRAI_IOWA, @TJRAGBRAI, or @RAGBRAI_Andrea

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