Hello Iowa!! - RAGBRAI 2015

[lcurrie]

I'm planning a trip with a few friends to ride the 2015 RAGBRAI and considering taking the Airstream.
RAGBRAI | The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa

The overnights this year are in:
Sioux City - July 18
Storm Lake - July 19
Fort Dodge - July 20
Eldora - July 21
Cedar Falls - July 22
Hiawatha - July 23
Iowa River Landing/Coralville - July 24
Davenport - July 25

I'll bring a generator so that we can boondock, and will be looking for places to stop overnight. I found info indicating that there is RV parking as long as we register with a camper.

Does anyone know much about this? Should we be okay finding a space each night or do we need to have a backup plan?

Any general advice from folks that have done this before?

Thanks!

Lynn

[Airtandem]

Hello Lynn;
The campgrounds on this part of the state (east) fill up quickly. It would be best to check for parks and reservations NOW. I live in Davenport, and that is the same weekend of the BIX festival. This is a 7 mile run that attracts runners from other countries. There is also a BIG jazz festival that goes from Friday through Sunday.
So, accommodations are at a premium. There is a campground on I-80 and us 130 that does take reservations, so make them now. There are several good parks , but do not take reservations. You should plan on staying at least Saturday night. You would be on I80 to I35 and back to Austin.
PM me with further questions.
Mike

[Lance M]

Wow! Congratulations on taking the ultimate bike tour of Iowa! I grew up in Iowa and went on RAGBRAI XVI in 1988. It was a magnificent experience. I stayed in a tent back then, so don't know much about RV parking, but I do know there are hosts in each town that will allow RV parking in their driveway.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience. I have wanted to take the family on RAGBRAI for a very long time.
Good luck!

[terryV]

Many folks park in driveways, city parks, vacant lots, and even on small town city streets. This is IOWA. We're pretty friendly and laid back, especially in the small towns.

I have courtesy parking not far from I-80 and I-35 with 30 amp power and water if you need it.

Come and join us for the cycling party of your life.

[TG Twinkie]

Check out Doliver State Park. Just south of Ft. Dodge.
Beautiful spot along the Des Moines River.


Sent from my iPod touch using Airstream Forums

[hahnstead]

I live in NE Iowa and have ridden on RAGBRAI many times. Two years ago a friend and I did some "piggy backing" with my Airstream. We never had reservations anywhere, nor were we registered riders. There are always sites where non-registered riders can boondock with their RVs. Maybe we could stay in touch and boondock together this summer!

[lcurrie]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the replies!

Terry, thanks for the offer. I'll keep in touch!

Hahnstead, I was hoping to hear this. I get the impression that that's how it works, but I would HATE to get there and discover that I should have planned something!

[blmitch5]

If you come near Kansas City and need an overnight stay let us know. 😃

[sdsmarts]

Hi,
We live right here in Sioux City, the kick off city for RAGBRAI 2015, and it would be our pleasure to host you if you'd like or at the very least be your source of information on accommodations available in the area. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance. We're here to help.
As mentioned earlier in the thread you'll find Iowans to be very RAGBRAI friendly.
Your fellow Airstreamers,
Marty and Margaret

[epperp]

Hi Lynn,
We live near the route, in between the Cedar Falls and Hiawatha overnight stops. We would be glad to provide any local assistance, including overnight parking, either during the ride or on your trip before or after. I am sure you will have a great time! We have not ridden RAGBRAI but know many who have done it multiple times. Iowa is a great and friendly state, but not nearly as flat as it appears while flying over
Eileen and Ed

[lcurrie]

Thanks everyone for the offers of spaces to overnight and help! I'm guessing that the SOB forums aren't this friendly!

We're still waiting to see if we get in, it's a lottery. We'll know after the first of May. Once we know if we're heading that way, I'll reach out to make overnight plans.

[hahnstead]

You can ride RAGBRAI, registered or not. Approximately half of the estimated 20,000 riders are not registered. You just cannot get into the official campsites if you're not registered. There are lots of unofficial campgrounds!