Decorah is ready to extend a warm Scandinavian welcome to RAGBRAI XLV

Bike riders will come into Decorah on Friday morning from Pole Line Road.

The Luther College community will be offering a "big blue welcome" to all RAGBRAI riders passing through Decorah. Much of Luther's welcome will take place along the route on College Drive, but riders are also invited to take the "Luther Loop" through campus.

Local RAGBRAI entertainment includes Mike McAbee from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and local band Gaelstorm from noon until 2:00 p.m. in the beer garden. Many Nordic Fest food vendors will be open early to greet riders and offer a taste of Nordic Fest.

Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristina Wiltgen says, "It will be a unique blend of Nordic Fest tradition, intermingled with a taste of Iowa's great cycling tradition.  We are excited to showcase Decorah."

"City public works and public safety have worked hard to prepare for Nordic Fest and RAGBRAI all month," according to Decorah City Manager Chad Bird.  "We are all eager to host the cyclists and are looking forward to having a great time this weekend. The local RAGBRAI planning committee has been working since March to plan for the visit. We hope that many riders leave with a desire to return and explore the area in the future."

"City crews have had their eye on the RAGBRAI route since May and have swept the route, literally and figuratively, since. We have replaced concrete sections (water department), patched potholes (street department), spray patched (street department) and swept with the street sweepe--something every week along the route. All of the downtown, west side and Short Street have new paint," added Bird.

2016 RAGBRAI rider and Decorah resident Amy Engelsdorfer is "thrilled that RAGBRAI is coming through Decorah this year."  She says, "I know, as a participant in last year's event, that it was especially wonderful for local communities to come out, support the riders, and show all their visitors what wonderful towns are in our state."

Decorah resident and experienced rider Jim Fritz adds, "I love the community that is RAGBRAI. It is a happy event filled with tens of thousands of people. I also love the physical challenge. It is a euphoric feeling to descend those final few miles into the Mississippi valley knowing that you have completed a pretty significant physical challenge."

"There is a lot of excitement around having RAGBRAI pass through Decorah. People were eager to volunteer and help out where needed," said Wiltgen. Most the volunteers are scheduled to help in the beer garden with checking ID's, selling beer tickets and serving beer, she says.

RAGBRAI amenities for riders will include:
--The RAGBRAI bike shops will be set up in the bowling alley parking lot.
--University of Iowa medical van will be placed in front of City Hall.
--RAGBRAI information and merchandise truck will be on the 500 West Water Street block.
--Support crews will be directed to park at the Winneshiek County   Fairgrounds as they enter from Highway 9.

If you have questions, call Kristina Wiltgen at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce at (563)382-3990 or Chad Bird at City Hall at (563)382-3651.

Beer garden is being fenced off

Bike gears have been painted on the intersection of River Street and Pearl Street