RAGBRAI's 50th anniversary ride is coming to Des Moines! Here's what to know
Brace yourself.
The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is about to roll from Ames to Des Moines with what's widely expected to be the largest contingent of riders in its 50-year history.
If you are anywhere near the route of Wednesday's ride, you will be affected. Here's what you need to know.
What's happening Wednesday?
Wednesday will be Day 4 of the ride, which started in Sioux City on Sunday and will reach its final destination, Davenport, on Saturday. Riders are spending Tuesday night in Ames and Wednesday night in Des Moines before riding Thursday to the Day 5 overnight town, Tama-Toledo.
What's the route to Ankeny?
The route for Wednesday will proceed south from Ames to Slater in south Story County, west to Madrid and then south and southeast into Polk County via Northwest Madrid Drive. After a stop in Polk City, it will go east on Northwest 118th Avenue and south on Northwest 16th Street into Ankeny, then west on Northwest 18th Street and south on Northwest State Street. Winding along Northwest Prairie Ridge Drive and Northwest Ash Drive, it will reach Southwest Cherry Street and stop in Uptown Ankeny.
RAGBRAI 2023: Organizers in Des Moines expecting record 60,000 riders Wednesday
Departing from Uptown on Southwest Cherry, riders will turn west on Southwest Magazine Drive, southeast on Southwest District Drive through the District at Prairie Trail and east on Southwest Prairie Trail Parkway past Des Moines Area Community College to reach U.S. 69, Ankeny Boulevard.
What's the route to Des Moines?
Riders will continue on U.S. 69, which becomes Southeast 14th Street in Des Moines. The route will then turn west on East University Avenue, then south on East Ninth St., crossing Interstate 235 and passing immediately in front of the Iowa Capitol. Reaching the heart of the East Village, it will go west on Walnut Street through downtown Des Moines, jog south at 15th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and follow it and Fleur Drive into Water Works Park, the campground for Wednesday night.
It's a 56-mile ride, the shortest of the week, and most riders tend to start early, so the majority likely will be at the park by early afternoon. However, much of the route will remain open until 5 p.m. for stragglers.
On Thursday, riders will backtrack to Walnut, following it east to the Iowa State Fairgrounds, then through the Fairgrounds to Dean Avenue. They'll go east on Dean (which becomes Fairview Drive), east on Oakwood Drive into Pleasant Hill, then north on Northeast 56th Street and east on Northeast 27th Street into Altoona. Going north on Northeast 72nd Street through Altoona, they'll turn east on Edwin Skinner Parkway Southeast, north on Northeast 96th Street, east on Northeast 58th Avenue and north on Cotton Avenue Southwest enroute to Mitchellville before leaving Polk County.
Where will streets be closed?
Here's a guide based on information provided by Catch Des Moines, Polk County and affected cities about when and where the disruptions will occur in Polk County and where in Des Moines to get across the route. Parking will be restricted on most affected streets in Des Moines and on some surrounding streets.
More: Map of route and crossings in Des Moines
Closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26
Northwest Madrid Drive
North Third Street in Polk City from the town square to East Northside Drive
East Northside Drive in Polk City from North Third Street
Northwest 16th Street from Northwest 118th Avenue to Northwest 18th Street in Ankeny
Closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26
U.S. 69 (Ankeny Boulevard in Ankeny) from Southwest Prairie Trail Parkway to south city limits
Closed from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 26
U.S. 69 (Northeast 14th Street) southbound lanes from East Aurora Avenue to East Ovid Avenue in Des Moines
U.S. 69 (East 14th Street in Des Moines) from East Ovid Avenue to East University Avenue in Des Moines
From north to south, law enforcement officers will be stationed to occasionally halt bike traffic and allow crossings at the Northeast 14th Street's intersections with:
Aurora Avenue.
East Euclid Avenue.
Guthrie Avenue.
East Washington Avenue.
East University Avenue.
East Ninth Street from East University Avenue to Grand Avenue, with crossings at:
East University Avenue.
Fremont Street.
East Grand Avenue.
East Ninth Avenue/Finkbine Drive from East Grand Avenue to East Walnut Street.
Closed from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 26 and 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 27
East Walnut Street from East Ninth Avenue/Finkbine Drive to the Walnut Street bridge over the Des Moines River, with a crossing at:
Southeast Sixth Street.
Walnut Street, including the Walnut Street bridge, to 15th Street, with crossings at:
Second Avenue.
Third Street.
Sixth Street.
Seventh Street.
Eighth Street.
Ninth Street.
12th Street.
15th Street/16th Street from Walnut Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (westbound lanes) from 11th/12th streets to Fleur Drive, with a crossing at:
Fleur Drive.
Bikes will use the northbound lanes of Fleur Drive south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to enter and exit Water Works Park, the campground site. Traffic will be maintained on southbound Fleur Drive.
Closed from 9 a.m. July 26 to 1 a.m. July 27
George Flagg Parkway from Park Avenue to Southwest 30th Street.
Closed from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 27
Ninth Avenue East/Finkbine Street from East Walnut Street to East Court Avenue.
East Court Avenue from Ninth Avenue East/Finkbine Street to Dey Avenue.
Dey Avenue from East Court Avenue to East Walnut Street.
East Walnut Street from Dey Avenue to East 30th Street, with crossings at:
East 14th Street.
East 15th Street.
East 24th Street.
East 30th Street.
The ride will enter the Iowa State Fairgrounds on East 30th Street, then exit onto Dean Avenue. Additional closures will be on:
Dean Avenue from the Iowa State Fairgrounds to the eastern city limits
Northeast 27th Avenue in Polk County, Pleasant Hill and Altoona
Northeast 72nd Street in Polk County and Altoona
Northeast 96th Street in Altoona and Polk County
If I'm not a rider, can I get in on the parties?
More: As RAGBRAI grows from lark to legendary at age 50, it still offers glimpses of 'authentic Iowa'
Not a rider? You're still welcome to participate in the fun and festivities at Water Works Park. Here's the schedule of activities and free performances from Catch Des Moines.
Main stage at Lauridsen Amphitheater
1 p.m.: RAPTORS ― Air Force Band
2 p.m.: Dave Zollo & The Body Electric
3:15 p.m.: Brother Trucker
5 p.m.: The Nadas
7 p.m.: Dillon Carmichael
8:15 p.m.: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Bridge Stage
Noon: DJ Jimmy Jim
2 p.m.: The Crust Band
4 p.m.: Allegra Hernandez
5:30 p.m.: Kris Lager Band
7 p.m.: RAPTORS – Air Force Band
More: Where to eat, drink and play in Des Moines when RAGBRAI rolls through town
Spread across Water Works Park will be 35 food vendors, 11 beer gardens, more than 25 exhibitors and a 35-foot inflatable guitar.
On Wednesday, there also will be entertainment and food and beverage vendors in Slater, Madrid, Polk City and Uptown Ankeny and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny.
Where can I park?
To reach Water Works Park, organizers strongly recommend parking at the city parking garage at Fourth Street and Grand Avenue downtown ($10) and catching the DART shuttle that will run from there to Water Works Park from 1-11 p.m. Day passes are $4 for unlimited rides, with the ability to hop on or off at any stop along the route. Riders also may purchase a one-way fare for $1.75.
Limited parking will be available for $20 at a lot at the corner of George Flagg Parkway and Southwest 30th Street adjacent to Water Works Park. Be prepared for a sizable hike to reach the main stage.
Another option is to park at the Bell Avenue Business Center, 1901 Bell Ave., beginning at 5 p.m. and hike to Water Works through Grays Lake Park. Cost is $20.
Be sure to check street closures before heading to either of the lots.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: RAGBRAI 50 Des Moines what to know
