first on decorahnews.com: It's looking like the 2017 RAGBRAI route will not come through Decorah

Our e-mails at decorahnews.com have been fairly equally divided on the question of whether the 2017 RAGBRAI route will come through Decorah, with many thinking that would be a good thing, but just as many thinking it would be a bad thing.

Now we can tell you--according to numerous sources--that when RAGBRAI officially announces its 2017 route next month, the odds are very good that RAGBRAI riders will be going through Ridgeway, Calmar and Ossian and not Decorah as they move between overnight camping spots in Cresco and Waukon.

Sources tell us officials in the three smaller communities have been contacted and asked about some of the logistics.  We've also been told RAGBRAI officials are concerned about having bike riders go through Decorah at the same time as Nordic Fest is taking place.

It's not that Decorah won't see bike riders during Nordic Fest.  It's possible numerous bike riders will detour off the official route and head through Decorah on their way to Waukon.  But concerns about whether it's a good idea to add lots of people to Decorah at a time when thousands are already visiting Decorah seem to be the deciding factor for RAGBRAI.

Once again, the official announcement will come from RAGBRAI in March, but it's looking like the bike riders will take a more southern route from Cresco to Waukon.