Ask Mr. Answer Person: "I can't believe you are having the bicycle riders going through Decorah during Nordic Fest."

(Rita e-mails: "I can't believe you are having the bicycle riders going through Decorah during Nordic Fest. Everyone that lives in Decorah and those visiting for Nordic Fest must be inconvenienced during this time for the bicycle riders. It seems that Decorah is bending over backwards for these people at the inconvenience and aggravation of everyone else. Is there some special treatment going on here?  I bring my grandchildren to Nordic Fest and they love it. Why add all of these additional people? Will bicycles be banned from  Water street?"):

Mr. Answer Person says: "There's no doubt having 10,000 bike riders come through Decorah on July 28th will inconvenience some people.  But the same could be said for all the people coming to Decorah for Nordic Fest on July 27th or July 29th.

While large crowds inconvenience those of us who live year-round in Decorah, they also bring tourism into town--an important part of our economy.  And when Decorah makes a good impression on all these visitors--and it will!--they'll be tempted to return again, increasing their impact on our economy.

To answer your specific questions, RAGBRAI's route through Decorah will use River Street, which goes north and south--NOT Water Street.  Bicycles will be parked in several parking areas near Water Street--but not on Water Street itself.

RAGBRAI will have a positive impact on Decorah, despite the inconveniences.  It's exactly the same thing that can be said about Nordic Fest!