Ventura and Clear Lake will welcome RAGBRAI riders this summer

Clear Lake designated ‘meeting town’

Clear Lake will welcome RAGBRAI riders once again this summer.   

On July 23, bicyclists will be guests of our city as the RAGBRAI XLII route goes from Forest City to Mason City on the shortest biking day.

Clear Lake will provide two functions for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa this year, as a pass-through town and a meeting town.  

Diane Thompson, who chaired RAGBRAI’s overnight stop in Clear Lake in 2010 and is heading up this years’ events, explained that as a pass through town, Clear Lake will feed and entertain over 10,000 bicycles and riders.  As a meeting town, the community will provide a location for the support vehicles to meet their riders during the day.

Sunday, the Des Moines Register announced specifics of the RAGBRAI route, naming Ventura and Clear Lake as pass through communities.

According to Thompson, Clear Lake can expect bikes and riders as early as 6:30 a.m. on July 23 until 4 p.m., when bikers are asked by RAGBRAI officials to leave Clear Lake.   By adhering to the 4 p.m. deadline, riders can finish the rest of the route and get to Mason City by 6 p.m.

The Day 4 Forest City to Mason City RAGBRAI leg is the second-shortest of the week at barely more than 41 miles. 

Ventura is expected to greet riders with both food and fun.  The Register’s article noted Ventura City Clerk Else Taylor said local firemen are contemplating creating a mud pit or some other quirky roadside attraction.

Thompson said Clear Lake will also make the most of its time with bikers.  In 2010, thousands enjoyed not only the lake, but entertainment on the beach, at City Park and throughout downtown.  Businesses, churches, the Fire Department and many others offered riders different ways to cool off and fuel up.  The historic Surf Ballroom was also a popular stop for rock and roll aficionados.

Thompson noted the route The Register outlined on Sunday, which took riders out of Ventura on County Road S-14 and brought them into Clear Lake via 235th Street to South Shore Drive to South 8th Street, may change. 

“In 2010 we were still considering route options in June,” she said.  “The Steering Committee will provide updates in the Reporter as plans progress.”