RAGBRAI’s coming!

Here’s what you need to know to make it a great day

In one week, thousands of RAGBRAI riders will pedal through Ventura and Clear Lake.
Wednesday, July 23, promises to be a fun day, but it no doubt will inconvenience locals who will experience street closures and crowds.

 “I’ve been telling people to think of it like the prediction of a storm,” said Ventura City Clerk Else Taylor, who has teamed with Council Representative Kristi Meints to organize RAGBRAI’s pass through Ventura Wednesday morning. “Those who can, should plan to stay home that day and just enjoy the experience. Get your groceries and other running done before the bike blizzard.”
Clear Lake RAGBRAI Chair Diane Thompson agrees.
“Having RAGBRAI visit a town gives that town the opportunity to have a lot of fun entertaining the riders and guests. It also means that some residents will be inconvenienced while the riders are here,” she said.
The first bicyclists will arrive about 6 a.m. They majority will probably get to Clear Lake between 8 a.m. and noon, Thompson estimates.
“We will entertain thousands of riders, support vehicle drivers, and other guests who come to be part of the experience until 4 in the afternoon when our official RAGBRAI responsibilities end and the Iowa Highway Patrol encourages the riders to be on their way to Mason City.”

The route
Riders will arrive in Ventura, coming from the north on County Road S-14. The Iowa Highway Patrol will help cyclists cross Highway 18. They will then proceed south to Lake Street, where they will turn at the four-way stop and head east, following the lake approximately five miles to Clear Lake. East Lake Street turns to North Shore Drive at Clark Road. They will ride on North Shore Drive to 7th Avenue North (The Anchor Inn), turn left and ride to North 3rd Street (Opportunity Village office). They will turn right on North 3rd Street and ride to City Park, turn right to North Lakeview Drive (Lady of the Lake), turn left to the Main Avenue boat access, and turn left on Main Avenue. Riders will ride on Main to 8th Street (stoplight), turn left and continue on 8th Street out of town on the way to Mason City.
For safety reasons, car/truck use of the route is highly discouraged while the riders are using it. If possible, residents blocked in by the route could park their cars on the other side of the route for the night of July 22. For North Shore Drive residents, if it is necessary to drive your car on the route, please drive to the nearest street leading to Highway 18 and exit the route; there will be volunteers at each intersection of the route to guide you off North Shore Drive. For residents on 7th Avenue North, North 3rd Street, and North 8th Street sections of the route, use your best judgment about avoiding the route.
If driving on the route, please ride the same direction as the riders are riding. Do not drive towards oncoming riders. Remember that driving will be interrupted on streets close to the route. The safety of everyone is very important. - Read More Via e-Edition