By Cedar Falls Tourism
Cedar Falls will be hosting tens of thousands of riders and visitors on Thursday, July 24 for RAGBRAI, a statewide bicycle ride that travels across Iowa each year. Cedar Falls RAGBRAI is powered by SciPlay.
Entertainment on two stages from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Local live music will be playing all afternoon and evening in downtown Cedar Falls. The music is free and all are welcome! The Main Stage will be located at 5th & Main Streets. You’ll find more music at the River Place Plaza stage at 2nd and State Streets.
Local restaurants and bars will be serving beverages throughout the entertainment footprint and there will be a beverage garden at 3rd & Main. Food and non-food vendors will be set up downtown and at Gateway Park.
Maps
Main Campground – Gateway Park
Riders will find many services at the Main Campground including RAGBRAI baggage drop off, Sag Wagon drop off, Information Tent, medical services, showers along Grant Street, limited food vendors and easy access to walk or shuttle to downtown food and entertainment.
Secondary Campground for Charters – Washington Park
Riders at this campground area will have access to showers on Irving Drive, along with a shuttle or an easy walk via the trail to downtown food and entertainment.
Quiet/Family Campground – Holmes Park & Holmes Jr High
Riders in this area can access showers at Holmes Jr High and use a shuttle to downtown food and entertainment.
RV/Support Vehicle Parking/Camping – UNI Dome & McLeod Lots
Riders and support crews staying in this area will have access to showers at the UNI Wellness & Rec Center, along with a shuttle to downtown food and entertainment. UNI is also renting rooms in Dancer Hall.
Host Homes – Across the Community
Many riders, teams, and support vehicles will be staying in individual residences across the community. Thank you to the hosts!
Information Centers
Volunteers will staff three information centers throughout the day providing riders and locals with maps, directions and information. They will be located at Birdsall Park, Gateway Park, and outside of the Oster Regent Theatre.
Bicycle Route
Find this and other maps including a road closure map at: https://www.cedarfallsragbrai.org/residents
Volunteers
Thank you to the 200+ volunteers making this event a reality. We couldn’t do it without you. If you see a volunteer please thank them for their time.
Photo opportunities and fun surprises
Catch the official Cedar Falls RAGBRAI Photo Booth at Gateway River Park. You’ll find all Cedar Falls RAGBRAI, powered by SciPlay, updates posted at https://www.cedarfallsragbrai.org/. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @CedarFallsRAGBRAI.
Safety tips for residents
Don’t spray riders with water unless you ask them. Many don’t want water on their supplies they carry on their bike or on their expensive equipment. This can distract riders and cause accidents when they try to dodge the water.
Do not hand flyers, water, or anything else to the riders as they come into town. Riders can’t carry anything on their bicycles. Reaching for something is distracting and could cause them to have an accident.
Don’t give the riders “high-fives” when they are riding. Accidents can be caused when a rider reaches out to touch a hand, plus it’s dangerous to have anyone that close to the bicycle route.
Be cautious about opening car doors with the increased bicycle traffic. Look in all directions before opening car doors that could injure cyclists or force them to swerve.
Local young people are discouraged from joining in as the riders come into town and as they are leaving town in the morning. Most are inexperienced in riding with large groups, and many accidents involving young people happen every year.
