The eight host cities along the route of the 2007 Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which begins Sunday, will roll out the red carpet when 8,000 – 10,000 cyclists roll into their towns.
These cities are offering more than the “cow pie bingo” contest that 1,000 Cycle Around Maryland riders were treated to one year in Federalsburg. (The event drew a big crowd, but the hosts must have chosen the only cow on the Eastern Shore with constipation. In contrast, we CAM cyclists blew out the host high school's septic drainage field.)
The biggest draw for this year's RAGBRAI will probably be out on the road where Lance Armstrong is riding the entire route. Event host Des Moines Register has a RAGBRAI interactive map at its website this year where riders can post their Lance sightings, as well as check out services along the route.
Also, check out Spencer for Armstrong's meeting with youths and Cedar Falls for the LiveStrong fund-raiser with an appearance by Armstrong.
Here's a list of the host cities and the dates the riders will be visiting.
Essentially, each town offers two stages — one for family entertainment that opens in the late morning or early afternoon and closes up in the early evening. The other stage is inside a “beverage garden” where more professional acts are performing. These gigs usually run until midnight, which explains why there are so many bleary eyes along the RAGBRAI route.
If the town doesn't sport a park or fairgrounds, a couple of city blocks are set aside for the fun. Also, don't worry about packing T-shirts. Each town is selling commemorative T's from their city.
Rock Rapids – (departure city; entertainment evening of Saturday, July 21)
Two stages with music — Christian rock, military band, and '60s – '80s rock from 2:30 p.m. until midnight.
Spencer – Sunday, July 22
Spencer hosts the first of the Armstrong events, although it's only open to registered RAGBRAI participants under the age of 21. He'll speak to the youth at the Clay County Regional Events Center at a time that's yet to be announced.
Also, there's entertainment at the fairgrounds (from bell ringers to rock and country-western music) from 2:30 until the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Air Force paratroopers also will drop in.
Humboldt – Monday, July 23
The DK BMX bike group will perform stunts throughout the day. It sounds like Humboldt is closing down a couple of city blocks for two entertainment stages. One is open from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., the other from 4 to midnight. Muscial groups include FishHeads, Standing Hampton Band, D-Boys, Roadside Boys, Jive for Five Brass Quintet, and the Army Ceremonial Brass Quintet.
Hampton – Tuesday, July 24
The family stage is open from 2-8 p.m. and features local bands, dancers and the municipal concert band. The beer garden features polka, a DJ and the Vic Ferrari rock band until midnight.
Cedar Falls – Wednesday, July 25
This is the site of the other Armstrong event, a fund-raiser concert for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The event, at the Uni-Dome, begins at 6 with the NADAs, followed by Armstrong from about 7:10 to 7:30, then Blues Traveler 'til 9 p.m.
There's also family stage downtown open from noon to 5 and a downtown beer garden with entertainment from 4 until midnight.
Independence – Thursday, July 26
Events start at 10 a.m. on the family stage with local high school jazz band. The beverage garden open at 1 p.m. featuring salsa and other styles of music until 11:30.
Dysersville – Friday, July 27
This is the home of the “Field of Dreams” movie set. The city is creating a “Tunnel of Dreams” for cyclists entering town.
Inflatables and other kids rides will be open in the city park, while the beer garden opens at 2 p.m. with the OchOsol rock, pop and Latin band, followed by Raptors Air Force Band, and the Large Midgets Band.
Bellevue – Saturday, July 28 (destination)
Armstrong talks about his upcoming ride on RAGBRAI, why he's doing it, and safety concerns regarding onlookers along the route.
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