RAGBRAI LI Route Announced on Jan. 27!

Riders kick back in Chariton

  • 22 July, 2009
  • RAGBRAI

Chariton, Ia. — Charlie Anderson’s friends finally convinced him to come to see small-town Iowa.

And what better vantage point for the 32-year-old Bend, Ore. man than from the seat of a bike?

“It’s been absolutely great,” Anderson said. “But I don’t know how people can party like they do on the ride.”

The 44-mile shortened day from Indianola to Chariton — and the not-too-hot temps and blue skies — helped.

“Flat and short. That was a nice reprieve,” Anderson said.

But Anderson’s pal, Ross Hummel, a Davenport native whom he met in San Fransisco, was a bit grumpy.

“They’ve got us camping like three miles outside of town,” Hummel said. “I don’t get it.”

A dozen yards away on the town square, Bryan Jones, 25, was handing out samples of pepperoni pizza from the Pizza on Wheels stand, which he’ll help run for the next few days.

“We just kind of got ahead of ourselves and burned this one,” said Jones, of Iowa City.

Bryan Jones, 25, of Iowa City

Pizza on Wheels is the RAGBRAI counterpart of the Pizza on Dubuque eatery in Iowa City. Owner Al Risk said they’ve been selling between 150 and 200 pizzas each day of the ride so far.

“It takes 12 people to keep this thing going when it gets busy,” said Risk, who has been selling pizza on the ride for 13 years. “We have loyal customers out here.”

A block north of the square at the Modern Auto repair shop, owner Rodney Krutsinger was gearing up for the night of entertainment with his family and friends. They have a camper on the property to spend the night.

“I stayed away when RAGBRAI came through about 10 years ago,” he said. “I wanted to see it this time.”

– Jared Strong

7 Comments

  1. Me

    Will someone teach All bike riders traffice laws…What a PAIN!!!We teach our kids signs and laws like what side of the street to ride on & what that 8 sided red sign means. I am dissapointed in most riders I saw. U (bike riders) are suppost to be good role models…
    shame shame shame
    IOWA BIKE RIDER
    (RIDE ON)

  2. Bob Smith

    At Last, the SOBs are out of towm. Don’t you riders know a red stop sign indicates???

    fingering good bye in Chariton

  3. Rhonda

    I was disgusted with the RAGBRAI riders who thought nothing of using my corn field/yard as their own personal latrine! Four people asked but about 50 just jumped the fence and unzipped or popped a squat. How would they like it if people peed and possibly pooped in their yards? There were KYBOs 2 miles in the next town and a grove of County owned trees a quarter mile from our place which they could have used. I actually shooed one guy out of our BACK yard who was unzipping ready to squirt my flower beds! Unbelievable!

  4. Jennifer

    I would just like to say, my family hosted three teams and they were very courteous and grateful. I had no problems with any of the riders I came in contact with. I am sure there are some out there that weren’t as gracious, but we can’t let a few bad seeds ruin the whole bunch.
    We are dealing with several thousand people and we were hosting them in our town. To those of you throwing a fit because of them not getting over in the road, take the road less traveled. As far as someone peeing on your flower bed, come on, your neighbor’s dog probably does worse in there.
    As far as I am concerned, our town of Chariton has a few less than positive people and will gripe about anything, given the chance. I would like to say, it was a pleasure hosting the RAGBRAI riders and their families and would be happy to do it again, any time!

  5. Karen

    I really enjoyed Ragbrai coming to our small town of Chariton. I hope everyone was treated well and please don’t let a few of the “grouches” we do have in Chariton leave a bad impression on our town. It was a very organized and exciting event to see. I do wish this website would have pictured Chariton and their events a little more than they did. We are mentioned that we were a stop over town but only about 2 pictures!! Anyway, thank you Ragbrai for stopping over in Chariton and come again soon!

  6. Tina S

    My family hosted a team of approximately 60 people. They were very nice people. I got home at midnight and they were either all quiet, except a few talking, and the rest were in bed. When I got up in the morning the only evidence that was left ANYWHERE was a twenty dollar bill tacked onto a gracious thank you note and alot of matted down grass. I don’t understand people looking for the bad and negative side of every thing. I guess I would really hate to be them !!!!!! I am glad I had the ability to host them, and would definately do it again.

  7. Mary

    Thank you RAGBRAI for coming to Chariton. Everyone was polite and appreciative. We had great food and wonderful bands that everyone in the community enjoyed along with riders. Can you believe “Hair Ball” performed here in Chariton. You can tell Chariton did a great job in planning this event.
    To the Des Moines Register RAGBRAI committee–don’t wait 12 years to come back. We are willing and ready to host you again.

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