By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Alicia Ciesielski is leading the planning for overnight accommodations for the thousands of bicyclists and others who will be in Guthrie Center on Monday, July 20. She provided an update on the status of those plans.
The largest cycling groups, known as charters, will generally be staying at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. Some of those large charters include more than 1,000 riders. Other groups come in all sizes, from just a few riders (or even just one) to dozens.
The Guthrie Center RAGBRAI housing committee has been working over the last couple of months to help a portion of the estimated 30,000-plus riders find overnight accommodations in Guthrie Center. So far, more than 220 RAGBRAI teams have officially registered to find host families for Guthrie Center with more coming in every day.
Some of the requests range from looking for outdoor tent space, to full RV hookups, and from indoor bed requests to indoor floor camping. The committee has received requests from riders just asking for a place to hang hammocks and others for just a safe place to sleep under the stars. Many of the teams share special details about their team in hopes of finding a good match. A few examples are shown below:
“I am a veteran who served 30 years in the military. My son and I are seeking a host home in Guthrie Center.”
“Just looking for a place where a mom and dad and their two sons can spend the night out of the elements.”
“We’ve been riding RAGBRAI for over 10 years and have made lifelong friends with previous host families. Would love to find that connection in GC.”
“We’re a group from a sober community – we’re friendly, non-drinking folks looking for accommodations.”
“Just a solo rider, with my husband, for my first RAGBRAI looking for quiet yard for camping.”
“I am looking for a bedroom for my parents in their 60s who are doing RAGBRAI for the first time.”
Due to the generosity of many Guthrie County residents, a large portion of these riders have been matched with local hosts by the committee already. And they would like to heartfully thank them for their willingness to open homes, yards, lots and acreages to the town’s overnight guests.
Hundreds of riders are still unmatched and without a place to stay overnight, so the Guthrie Center RAGBRAI committee is still looking for hosts. If you live anywhere in the vicinity of Guthrie Center — in town or out of town, especially if you are along the route — they would welcome your generosity to offer to host a RABGRAI team. To be a host, you can choose the accommodations that you are the most comfortable with. If you have a yard that would allow a team to pitch a few tents and use your bathroom, that would be terrific. If you have a spare bedroom or two and would like to host a couple or a small group, that would be great. If you live on an acreage and have wide open spaces, that could work, too. Maybe you are willing to host a larger, social team in and around your home. Who knows, maybe a lifelong connection will be made along the way.
You can sign up to host a RAGBRAI team by using the link: https://forms.gle/2uynWfo9Ufz95BEf7
Or go to the website of Guthrie Center RAGBRAI to learn more. www.guthriecenterragbrai.com.