RAGBRAI riding through Grinnell on Thursday, July 27

Dear Grinnellians,

Grinnell is a pass-through town on day 5 of RAGBRAI's 50th year celebratory ride. Grinnell College is excited to extend a warm welcome to RAGBRAI riders, providing a nice spot for shade and relaxation as they journey through our town. Over 30,000 riders will pass through Grinnell on Thursday, July 27 as the last stop before the end of Thursday's ride. Grinnell's beautiful Central Park will be the hub of all activities featuring live music, food, beverages and more. This remarkable ride from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River is marking its 50th anniversary this year! Read more about the history of RAGBRAI here.

The Route

The www.ragbraigrinnell.com website [Ed.: Deactivated in March 2024] provides a diagram of the approved route as well as further information about volunteers, vendors, and sponsors (of which Grinnell College is one) - and a chance to pre-order the commemorative 50th anniversary “The Jubilee at the Jewel” t-shirt. Riders will exit Central Park and go north on Park Street through Grinnell College Campus. There will be no on-street parking along the RAGBRAI route overnight on Wednesday, July 26.

What to expect that day/work

In addition to increased bike traffic on these roads, a number of downtown roads will be closed to accommodate riders. Grinnell will be busy with activity as we anticipate over 30,000 riders passing through from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. If your role permits and you're interested, we encourage you to coordinate with your supervisor to work remotely on Thursday, July 27.

On the day of RAGBRAI, JRC, Bucksbaum, and the Bear will be available for the needs of riders, all other campus buildings will be locked but can be accessed with your P-Card. For security reasons, we ask employees to not invite riders into other buildings.

Volunteering

Grinnell College staff members have the opportunity to volunteer on campus in 2-hour time slots between 10 am and 4:30 pm. In preparation for the event, volunteers are required to attend a one-hour training session beforehand. This volunteer opportunity will be considered paid work time for time-recording purposes, provided the time falls within your normal scheduled work shift.  This is available to all faculty and non-union staff. Please obtain approval from your supervisor and coordinate your time during that pay week to alter hours to prevent overtime.

Grinnell College volunteers will receive a free t-shirt to wear while they volunteer. If you're interested in volunteering (opportunities include welcoming riders, offering directions, etc.) simply sign up using this Qualtrics form. July is Social Wellness Month, making it a great time to meet new people and connect with the community! If you have any questions, please email smithsa2@grinnell.edu.

For More Information

Visit the Grinnell RAGBRAI official website or you can sign up for the Grinnell RAGBRAI committee’s email list. Grinnell RAGBRAI is organized by a committee consisting of community volunteers. Inquiries may be directed to the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce at marketing@getintogrinnell.com or 641-236-6555.

Questions can also be directed to Grinnell College Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research about day of operations or questions at communityenhance@grinnell.edu or by phone at 641-269-3900.

Grinnell College proudly serves as a RAGBRAI Grinnell sponsor and food vendor, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to extend a warm welcome to riders as they journey through the Jewel of the Prairie!

Thank you,

Monica Chavez-Silva, vice president of Community Partnerships Planning and Research

Sarah Smith, director of outreach programming and events, Community Partnerships Planning and Research