The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) kicks off in Council Bluffs on Sunday, July 21 with an expo outside the Mid-America Center throughout the day on Saturday, July 20. The event will bring in an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to town.
As the riders bike through eight different Iowa towns over the course of a week, they’re given a chance to experience what life looks like in that town and what the people are all about. While riders have the options to camp in designated areas around the expo or to stay in a hotel, part of RAGBRAI’s charm is the way it brings people from all across the state—and in some cases the world—together through hosting opportunities.
Locals in each town can host riders, whether that be offering up a guest room or just letting them camp in their backyard. These hosting opportunities allow for locals to get to know folks from across the state, around the nation, and even some international guests! For RAGBRAI riders, it gives them a chance to get to know the locals and really immerse in each town’s unique culture.
Veronique Koch is about to participate in her fifth RAGBRAI ride. Visiting from Miami, Koch considers staying with locals to be one of the trip highlights.
“The riders really appreciate their hosts,” Koch shared. “I love meeting new hosts every year at RAGBRAI.”
If you’re interested in hosting, please visit our website to fill out a volunteer form or if you have some questions about the process, you can email [email protected].
We hope you’ll UNleash all Council Bluffs has to offer as our guests begin to roll into town!
