Congrats again to the original Iowa Great Places committee and Chair Cheryl OHern on having Fort Dodge acknowledged as an Iowa Great Place on this years RAGBRAI route. Heres a quick day-by-day breakdown for the 43rd RAGBRAI: #RAGBRAI #FortDodge #IowaGreatPlace SIOUX CITY: This is where it all began in 1973 with Des Moines Register columnist Donald Kaul and Register writer and copy editor John Karras. Of this years overnight towns, its the one that has been most frequently visited by RAGBRAI over the years — Julys visit to the Missouri River city will be the second in six years. STORM LAKE: Its home to Buena Vista University and situated on the shores of 3,200-acre Storm Lake. Bring your swim trunks! FORT DODGE: The city is one of six Iowas Great Places listed by the states cultural affairs department. Located on the Des Moines River, it is home to a recreated prairie military outpost, Fort Museum and Frontier Village. Fort Dodge is also known for the Karl King Municipal Band and its frequent outdoor performances. ELDORA: This is the smallest overnight town in 2015. As the Hardin County seat, it has a fairgrounds, the local high school and an iconic town square. Pine Lake State Park is on the banks of the Iowa River. CEDAR FALLS: This is Panther country (dont worry, just the mascot) for more than 13,000 students at University of Northern Iowa. Good thing it will be summer break, since RAGBRAI will invade with about that same number of riders. Riders will need to get some good sleep to prepare for the two steepest days ahead. HIAWATHA: Hiawatha is an overnight host for just the second time. The Cedar Rapids suburb is about 10 times as large as it was when it last hosted RAGBRAI, in 2004. It is the trailhead for the popular Cedar Valley Nature Trail. IOWA RIVER LANDING/CORALVILLE: The Iowa River Landing development offers an impressive lineup of restaurants and hotels. Riders can take it easy at another lake. Coralville is an Iowa City suburb, making this University of Iowa territory. DAVENPORT: RAGBRAI concluded here in 2011, as well. This is where the ceremonial dipping of the front tire in the Mississippi began in 1973. The city has earned its own reputation for impressive outdoor endurance events through the annual Bix 7 race, combined with the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival.C
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:27:29 +0000
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