RAGBRAI Route Inspection Pre-Ride Day 5 – Charles City to Cresco

With the help of Charles City’s hospitality and ample amounts of pizza, we made it over the Last Hump Before the Hills and headed to Cresco today, by way of Ionia, New Hampton (Meeting Town), Lawler and Protivin. As Charles City’s RAGBRAI motto predicts, we started having those famous Iowa rolling hills, with more to come tomorrow. We had just 54.6 miles and 2,257 feet of climb today.

This was one of those days when we rode in every single direction, so we didn’t have tailwinds the whole time, but it was close. What a nice surprise on the fifth day of the ride when everyone is getting a little tired and saddle sore.

Thursday on RAGBRAI XLV will be RAGBRAI jersey day! So wear your 2017 RAGBRAI jersey! If you didn’t order one, you can get one online at www.RAGBRAI.com/shop or at the RAGBRAI merchandise trailers which will be located at the RAGBRAI Expo in Orange City, and every overnight town after that.

Photos: Day 5 of RAGBRAI pre-ride route inspection

Today we visited: 

IONIA

Ionia is on a mission to build a new fire station.  They have a goal of $350,000, and we need RAGBRAI Nation to step up and get them there.  The following businesses will be involved in this effort:

• Hide-A-Way Lounge
• Ionia Volunteer Fire Department
• Ionia United Church of Christ
• Boniface Catholic Church

Vendors will line up on Main Street.  You’ll find pancakes, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches at The Hideaway, plus others.  Plenty of bike parking will be available, giving you a great opportunity to get off your bike and explore Ionia.  The pre-ride crew received an incredibly warm welcome when we rode into town, and we feel confident that excitement will be on full display when RAGBRAI rolls through.

A little further into town you’ll find a beautiful city park and campground, and they plan on paving a walking trail in the park this summer.

For more information on Ionia’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/IoniaRagbrai2017/

NEW HAMPTON (Meeting Town)

New Hampton is one of those rare cities that we be both a RAGBRAI overnight town and now a pass-through town.  New Hampton hosted riders way back in 1977 for RAGBRAI V.  So after waiting 40 years for RAGBRAI to return, New Hampton is doing it right!

The town will have a vending and beer garden area that will run for 5 blocks along Main Street.  Over 25 vendors have already been committed to serve riders including lots of local vendors like the Cattlemen serving their famous ribeye sandwiches.

The main stage will have an emcee playing music as well as RAGBRAI Karaoke.  The Pandelirium Steel Drum Band from the University of Iowa will be playing throughout the day.

A most special guest will be the New Hampton Grand Marshall, Paul Hassman.  Paul has ridden many RAGBRAIs until retiring his bike in his early 80’s and was the school’s first Iowa state champion in wrestling.  Paul is now 103 and looks forward to meeting and greeting RAGBRAIers.

Historical/Interesting information:

New Hampton has its own municipally owned light plant purchased in 1903. In 1931, the city sponsored our swimming pool, which still stands and will be renovated in 2018. New Hampton hosts the Davis Rally motorcycles each year after Labor Day.  The Bandshell, was known for hosting concerts in the 40s and 50s and still hosts music in the Park in the summer.

Famous Citizens:

Emery Albright – famous artist
Carleton H. Wright – admiral
Duane Josephson – catcher for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox
Sarah Utterback – actress, played the role of Nurse Olivia Harper on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. She is also a film and theatre producer.
Rich Christenson – creator and producer of “Pinks” on the SPEED Channel
Mike Humpal – former NFL Steeler and Iowa Hawkeye
Colleen Rowley – United States Attorney
Greg Ganske – Former U.S. Representative

Interesting Buildings/Restaurants/Sites:

Carnegie Cultural Center – hosts many exhibits

Interesting Landscapes/Lakes/Parks:

Mikkelson Park – swimming pool, Frisbee golf, tennis, shelters
Community build wooden wonderland playground, baseball and softball fields

Other:

New Hampton is building out “Tribe” trial connecting our Mikkelson Park to the character counts walking/bike trail for a six mile walk/ride. They are fundraising to complete this trail with the hopes of connecting it with other towns in our county. A bond referendum was passed to build a new 5^th-8^th/middle school attaching the high school with a competition gym and an agricultural/industrial center to be completed by the 2019/2020 school year.

For more information on New Hampton’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/RAGBRAI2017NewHampton/

LAWLER

This will be the very first time that we will visit Lawler, and you are in for a treat. As hosts of the Lawler Irish Fest they are used to hosting crowds and will have a lot of food and entertainment lined up for us. Their theme is Get Lucky in Lawler – best ride of the day. Shirts will be available online before the ride.

Food options include BBQ chicken with sweet corn from the Lawler Lyons Club, pork chops on a stick from the Turkey Valley School, pulled pork, the Hole in the Wall restaurant which will have three kinds of pasta and has been voted one of the top 10 salad bars in the state. The local 7th and 8th graders will be selling “nacho mamas” tacos.

We stopped by the Starlite Ballroom, which will have sub sandwiches, pie a la mode, bloody marys, vodka lemonades, and a one man band. The Starlite Ballroom used to be called Chips and was a peer of the Surf Ballroom. They would draw all of the best bands of the day including rock, country, polka, disco and more, tripling the town’s population each weekend. The ballroom will also be a great place to get out of the weather and take a break, their A/C gets nice and cold.

Beyond food, the local bar is called The Bright Spot, they’ll have a beer tent and a DJ all day. Down the street the Lawler Irish Fest will have a beer tent and Irish music all day. There will also be a petting zoo sponsored by the local 4H and FFA groups.

On your way out of town check out the beautiful Veteran’s Memorial on Diagonal Street.

For more information on Lawler’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/LawlerIrishFestival/

PROTIVIN

Every third weekend in August, Protivin celebrates Czech Days. 2017 will be the 39^th annual celebration.  This gives Protivin priceless experience, and sets them up perfectly to host RAGBRAI this summer.  This community-wide effort, like the annual Czech Days celebration, will help support Trinity Catholic School, our local Catholic School.

Norman Borlaug was an American biologist and humanitarian who led initiatives worldwide that contributed to the extensive increases in agricultural production, termed the Green Revolution. He received the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal. He grew up on a 106-acre family farm, west of Protivin.

Protivin is home to many businesses for a small community.  2 Restaurants/Bars, 2 grain mills, LP and oil company, Polashek’s meat locker, lumberyard, gas station, implement dealer, 2 funeral homes, fire department, building contractor, bank.  Some of the pre-ride crew had an experience they won’t soon forget – a tour of the meat processing plant where they witnessed the slaughter of a large cow.  Not sure yet if they’ve turned vegetarian, or can get past the experience.

Look for the bike shops as you first make your way up Main Street.  Some food and activities will be in the city park on your left.  You will find additional food vendors, the beverage garden, and bike parking at the top of the hill just before you reach Holy Trinity Church.

Entertainment:

For the last 39 years, Protivin and Holy Trinity parish have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to our annual Czech Days celebration. We intend to draw on that experience to welcome and host the RAGBRAI throng.

Polka music, of course!

Food:

• Bratwurst, kolaches, beer – similar to what you would see for Czech Days
• Grilled chicken, ribeye sandwiches, and some outside food vendors

Neat places:

Holy Trinity Church – Early Czech settlers came to this area in the mid-1800s. The current church was built in 1907 to repair storm damage and make room for a growing community. In 1927 Rudolphinum high school was erected. The high school graduated a total of 576 students from 1927 until its closure in 1968. The existing elementary school, built in 1955, continues in operation today. Protivin is part of the Turkey Valley Community School District.

Holy Trinity is known as a community of faith which takes pride in its heritage as well as its ability to work together to accomplish great things in the present day.

The church and new welcome center will be open to visitors during RAGBRAI

Family History and Documents Center – A Project of the Czech Heritage Partnership

About the Czech Heritage Partnership – The Czech Heritage Partnership was established in 2003. We are an active association of persons interested in preserving and promoting our collective ethnic heritage, history, music, genealogy, social customs, historic properties, documents, pictures, and general culture to enrich our lives and quality of life in the region. Mission of the Family History and Documentation Center – To gather, preserve, and make available the picture (pictorial) and text (written) record of the immigration, settlement, life – education, religion, professions, work, and such – and the progress of the Bohemian and Moravian areas of Northeast Iowa, consisting primarily of the core areas of Winneshiek, Howard, and Chickasaw Counties and the bordering and adjacent counties including such other ethnic information as in integrally linked and such information from other areas where there is a strong and meaningful relevance to the core area. Note: This project is an archive for information, not a museum for objects.

Polashek’s Locker Service – a family owned locker and meat processing business whose family name has been in the business for generations. A recent customer was Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods. Polasheks are famous for their neon green t-shirts with the slogan “Got Jaternice? We Do!” Jaternice (pronounced Eeee-thur-neeet-suh) is one of the items that drew Zimmern into this Protivin icon. From the Urban Dictionary: Jaternice – A bohemian style sausage that is typically made from pork parts and has many ways that it can be made. The best place to find Jaternice is at Polashek’s Locker in Protivin, Iowa.

Norman Borlaug Boyhood Farm – Located 5 miles from Protivin, the Norman Borlaug Boyhood Farm is where the “Father of the Green Revolution” and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Norman Borlaug, got his start. Visit the restored farm, including his one-room schoolhouse, house, barn, chicken coop, and corn crib/grainery. Include in your visit a walk in the fields that young Norm farmed as a boy. The fields, now a prairie restoration, have a path with signage telling his story. Prairie flowers should be in full bloom. A beautiful setting that is a must see for all!

On display in Protivin for RAGBRAI will be the Borlaug “world sculpture” done by Dr. Bill Faller. Also, the Norman Bourlaug Heritage Foundation will have a booth in Protivin. At the booth, a shuttle will be able to take riders to Borlaug’s home farm, just outside of Protivin. will be in Protivin and to the farm will be available for bikers after leaving Protivin on the way to Cresco from 10:30 until 3:30. Find more info at the Borlaug booth in Protivin.

Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation website: http://www.normanborlaug.org/

 Restaurants:

The Mint – has been in existence since the mid ‘70s and continues its famous Wednesday night broasted chicken special weekly

The Place – brand new, built from the ground up bar and restaurant.

Interesting Stories:

This community-wide effort, like the annual Czech Days celebration, will help support Trinity Catholic School, our local Catholic School.

Theme:

Welcome to Protivin… Czech Us Out!

For more information on Protivin’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/protivin/

CRESCO

Before even arriving, RAGBRAI riders can expect their final descent into Cresco to be nothing less than horrific! Pedaling to the Paranormal is exactly what riders will be encountering. Plan on being greeted by some live and not so alive creepy creatures, characters, and props that may make some question which is which. Be prepared for a grand entrance that may continue to haunt you! Bahahahaha….

There will be plenty of photo opportunities with some ghost and goblins all day.

Our beverage team is working hard on loading the Spirits Tent with all kinds of beverages for your enjoyment.

Entertainment:
Six to Midnight – People love to ask us, “What is that?” “Do you start at six?” “Are you done at Midnight?” “What does it mean?” Originally, it had no meaning-it was just the catchiest name we could think of. Over time, we’ve worked to associate our name with being the best band can party with. So what do you play? Everything. No seriously… Everything. 60s? Yes. 80s? Yes. That hit that just came out last week from Justin Timberlake? Yes. That one country song everyone likes to sing at bar close? Yes. If there’s a hook and you know it, we’re playin’ it.

No gimmicks, no costumes, just a bunch of music loving guys in jeans; though, we do enjoy an awesome light show and special effects, so don’t expect anything less there. Our friends tell us they’ve never seen the clubs we party at more packed. I guess we seem to pick up a lot of friends along the way!

Rock Godz – a Rock Godz performance takes the audience on an over-the-top, wildly fun trip through the best eras of rock and pop music. Their 80’s-focused production (combined with classic and current rock/pop) creates an instant party scene where friends raise their glasses and sing along to their favorite songs – all night long! Rock Godz features music from all of your favorites, including Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Journey, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Poison, Prince, Bryan Adams, Led Zeppelin, Theory of a Deadman, Quiet Riot, Buck Cherry, Steel Panther… and many more! Please come in costume if you like!

Jack Sparrow – (strolling ground event) – As Minnesota’s Jack Sparrow, Joshua Godfredson’s impersonation of Captain Jack Sparrow thrills kids and adults alike. Now celebrating 13 years as MN Jack Sparrow, he is one of the longest running and most experienced in the world. With a mastery of Jacks movements, his voice, and a wardrobe worthy of Hollywood, MN Jack Sparrow keeps things very real and authentic to even the biggest fan. Don’t be surprised if you “accidentally” learn some REAL pirate facts from this history buff, he spends a large amount of time teaching pirate history to schools and historical events from coast to coast.

Ghost hunters – Our Cresco Theatre Opera House is known to be haunted and we hosted a group of ghost hunters in the past. These ghost hunters will be joining us the day of RAGBRAI to answer questions and possibly find a few more ghosts hanging around. Here is a link which describes the last time they visited Cresco and the local ghost
Link: http://odysseyparanormalsociety.com/project/cresco/

Neat Places:
The Norman Borlaug Family Farm – http://www.normanborlaug.org/ 

Hall of Fame in the Chamber Office – has information about our five Admirals from Cresco, Ellen Churchfield the first stewardess, the Wrestling Hall of Fame and more. http://www.howard-county.com

Kellow House Museum –http://www.crescochamber.com/attractions.htm

Cresco Opera House – beautiful restoration and has been visited by ghost hunters. As stated above, the ghost hunters will be there all day telling about the paranormal activity they captured.  http://crescotheatreoperahouse.com/

The Train in Beatle Park – http://www.crescochamber.com/history.htm

Nature Center, Vernon and Nature Trail – a scenic ride/walk out to the Turkey River at Vernon. http://cresco.chamberofcommerce.me/crescochamber/mem_PSRT
http://www.co.howard.ia.us/offices/conservation/turkeyriver.htm
Statues around Cresco – http://www.howard-county.com/iowa/bronze-statues-of-howard-county.html
Cresco Public Library – http://www.cresco.lib.ia.us

Restaurants:
Mabe’s Pizza (119 N Elm St.)
Teluwut Grille House & Pub (104 N Elm St.)
Dough & Joe Bakery (114 N Elm St.)
Southside Bar & Grill (107 2^nd St SE)
McCallister’s Heritage Event Center and Carryout
Sue-z-q’s Family Restaurant
Panda Garden (105 2^nd Ave SE)

Bars:
The M & M Lounge (1090 S Park Pl.)
The Hideaway (212 S. Elm St.)
The Pub (110 N. Elm St.)

For more information on Cresco’s RAGBRAI plans, visit:

http://www.crescochamber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CrescoRAGBRAI/
https://twitter.com/crescoia

https://www.facebook.com/Rockgodzlive/
https://www.facebook.com/sixtomid/

RAGBRAI XLV Route Inspection Pre-Ride Schedule
(Friday, June 4 – Saturday, June 10, 2017)

Friday, June 9
(Cresco to Waukon)
Ride leaves at 7 AM from: Cresco Theatre

Saturday, June 10
(Waukon to Lansing)
Ride leaves at 7 AM from: Downtown Museum (Old Courthouse)

If you plan to join the riders for a day, you must provide your own transportation back.

Don’t forget to check back for updates on the last two days of the route inspection ride and what to expect on RAGBRAI XLV 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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