Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Successful RAGBRAI pre-ride reveals official route
In-town route announced, town hall informational meeting planned for next week, and kids art contest begins
MT. PLEASANT — Following an official pre-ride from RAGBRAI checking on the totality of the RAGBRAI 51 route across Iowa, the Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI Committee released the in-town route riders will take coming into town on day six and leaving town on day seven.
“They rode the route a couple Fridays ago, and now it is official,” Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Rachel Lindeen said.
According to Lindeen, the official announcement needed to wait until after this pre-ride.
“When you and I drive down the road in our car, we just roll over that crack and don’t think anything of it,” Lindeen explained. “But that crack in the road might be a way a tire could get stuck, so they’re out there identifying any major issues. That’s why they do the pre-ride.”
Another highlight of the pre-ride came from the coverage offered by the JustGoBike podcast in which two riders share the highlights of their experience on the route and help riders set expectations.
“The best part of the podcast is that they really loved Mt. Pleasant and they called it Mt. Terrific,” Lindeen said.
In their episode which included their visit to Mt. Pleasant, the podcasters also advised riders that coming into Mt. Pleasant was one of the hardest days because of the hills.
Coming into Mt. Pleasant Friday, July 26 after completing either 84.8 miles or a full century of 100 miles, riders will take West Courtland Street until they turn right onto North White Street followed by a left onto West Franklin Street. They will then take a right onto North Broadway Street, which will take them right to Central Park in downtown Mt. Pleasant.
Lindeen expects riders to make their way into Mt. Pleasant in the afternoon Friday, July 26 and says that many of the festivities for the evening will take place around the square off North Broadway Street. The complete route for in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, however, includes taking a left on West Madison Street, a right onto North Main Street, a left onto East Monroe and traveling all the way out to South Walnut Street to McMillian Park where many riders will camp for the night.
Leaving town Saturday, July 27, riders will take South Walnut Street to East Henry Street. They will ride a short distance on North Brazelton Street until they hit East Monroe. Taking a left off East Monroe onto North Iris Street riders will then hit Winfield Avenue/220th Street as they make their way to Burlington to finish the last day of RAGBRAI and dip their tires in the Mississippi River.
While Mt. Pleasant will be plenty busy on the actual day riders come into Mt. Pleasant, Lindeen says there is plenty to do before their arrival. The Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI Committee held an informational meeting in April, but will hold another next week on Wednesday, July 26 in Central Park at noon.
“April was an overview, now it’s the implementation phase,” Lindeen said.
The meeting will give information about the festivities planned, give an opportunity for volunteers to step up, and will nail down many of the final details needed for this event. Not knowing how long the town hall meeting will take, Lindeen advises those not wanting to stand for the duration to bring a lawn chair.
Until then, Lindeen invites anyone wanting to volunteer in any capacity to reach out via the Mount Pleasant RAGBRAI Facebook page or their website www.mtpleasantrabgrai.com
“We’re looking for every kind of volunteer,” Lindeen said. “Whether you want to cheer riders on as they come in or you want to help with the festival and provide information or serve beer.”
Right now kids can even get involved and help with RAGBRAI by putting together artwork to display during the festivities. The Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI Committee is hosting a kids art contest to encourage participation in decorating town with this kind of artwork.
A winner from each age group will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dair Queen and a grand prize winner will receive four tickets to Temple Theater to “kick back, relax, and enjoy a new movie to celebrate.”
Artwork submissions include the Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI theme “Make Yourself At Home” and be no larger than 11”x14”. How young artists choose to display this theme can vary from drawings, paintings, sculptures, or even coloring pages.
Entries should include the artist’s name, address, school, and contact phone number on the back of their entry. They can be submitted to the Mt. Pleasant Public Library or City Hall by July 5.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
