Railroad schedule causes rough crossing for cyclists

Ryan Joynt of Emmetsburg fastens a piece of carpet over on a set of railroad tracks as riders navigate their way around him during RAGBRAI on Monday, July 21, 2014. (Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)

A hiccup in the railroad schedule caused problems for cyclists heading into Emmetsburg today when a ramp intended to give RAGBRAI riders a smooth ride had to be removed.

Ryan Joynt, a volunteer with Emmetsburg’s overnight-town team, said no trains were scheduled to go through the crossing on Palo Alto County Road N40 on Monday, just north on Emmetsburg. So organizers built a plywood-and-carpet ramp to help riders.

But organizers learned that two railroad utility trucks needed to go through, Joynt said, so volunteers tore up the ramp. Then, with riders already rolling through and struggling with the tracks, they hustled to try to replace the ramp.

There was no immediate word on whether the rough crossing had led to any significant injuries.

The crossing is near the finish line of today’s 41-mile ride from Emmetsburg.

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