RAGBRAI to swing through Mason City next week

(ABC 6 News) – The 49th annual RAGBRAI, an eight-day bicycle trek across Iowa, is set to begin on Saturday with thousands of riders and support vehicles taking to the states highways and roads to complete the journey.

Over the years, RAGBRAI has been in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, rolling through and visiting hundreds of towns and cities. In fact, RAGBRAI has been through more than 80% of the incorporated towns in Iowa.

The route changes every year, and in 2022 the ride will take place across northern Iowa.

The ride will begin on Saturday, July 23 near the Missouri River in Sergeant Bluff, and end on Saturday, July 30 at the Mississippi River in Lansing.

Mason City will welcome more than 20,000 bicyclists and supporters for an overnight stay on Wednesday, July 27. In order to help facilitate a safe and expeditious arrival of bicycles and vehicles, routes into and out of the city have been established.

Residents are reminded to prepare for a heavy increase in traffic especially near campgrounds. Prior to their arrival, city crews will be erecting police tape barriers so that campers do not encroach on private property.

The downtown parking lots and street parking will be closing beginning Sunday, July 24 to accommodate entertainment, beverage garden, and other activities. The lots and downtown street parking will remain closed through July 27 and is expected to re-open on Thursday, July 28 (subject to change).

An interactive map for residents, businesses, and RAGBRAI guests to help provide guidance on traffic, camping locations, and downtown closures can be found HERE.

A digital RAGBRAI visitors guide can be viewed HERE.

Early morning on Thursday, July 28, riders and support vehicles will be leaving Mason City to make the near 50 mile journey to Charles City.

For all RAGBRAI info, click HERE.