RAGBRAI Announces 2021 Route – Le Mars Still Selected As Overnight Host City

(Le Mars) — During the weekend, officials with the Des Moines Register announced the route and host cities for the 2021 edition of RAGBRAI, the bicycle ride across Iowa. The route remains nearly identical as last year’s proposed route, but was cancelled due to concerns with the COVID-19 virus.
Le Mars is still slated to be the host city to start the ride across Iowa, however, city officials are still not certain if the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” will participate in this year’s event. Two communities, Storm Lake and Maquoketa decided to back out from hosting the 20,000 plus bicyclists that participate on RAGBRAI. Now, Sac City and DeWitt have been selected to fill
in as the over-night host communities. The Le Mars city council discussed the situation during last council meeting. Fire Chief Dave Schipper, who serves as a local consultant for the ride, informed the city council that Le Mars may need to again review the original plans, with the understanding that changes may be needed due to continued COVID-19 virus concerns. City Administrator Jason Vacura says he has contacted several of the over-night communities, as directed by Councilman Rex Knapp,
to gauge their concerns. Vacura says many of the other over-night host communities share the same thoughts of that of Le Mars. Vacura says no final decision has been determined, however, RAGBRAI officials have indicated a deadline of March 15th as to whether or not the ride will be a go, or no go.
Vacura says he will present an update on the situation during tomorrow’s city council meeting. During the last city council meeting, city officials and local RAGBRAI organization officials are eager to host the ride, but they share concerns about the safety of all people involved due to the COVID-19 virus.