With less than two months until the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) comes to Creston on July 25, many riders are still seeking housing for the overnight stay.
Officially, there are more than 10,000 riders in this year’s RAGBRAI. But RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz said by the time day-riders and support teams are added into the mix, about 20,000 people will descend upon Creston.
According to Creston RAGBRAI Committee Member Wayne Pantini, more than 120 different housing requests still need to be fulfilled.
Those requests range from individual riders to groups of 20-25 people.
“Their needs vary from just a bed to sleep in, a couch to sleep on, floor space, whether it’s in the house or the garage to lay their sleeping bag,” Pantini said. “Some of them need a space to put a couple of tents and park their motor home in the driveway. Others are looking for a place in the yard to pitch a tent. Pretty much everyone is looking for a shower and toilet facility.”
Pantini estimated a need for at least 40-50 more host homes in the area to cover all the housing requests made by RAGBRAI riders.
Those interested in hosting riders can look through the book of riders at the Creston Chamber of Commerce to learn more about those who have applied for housing.
By looking through the binder, prospective hosts can find an individual or group that fits the space they have available. Many of the resumés also include background information about the riders, such as their interests, job information and how long they’ve been riding RAGBRAI.
Housing requests are categorized by the needs of the individual or group.
“If they’re on the fence about whether they want to host a RAGBRAI rider, what they can do is come down to our office and look through the book of riders,” Pantini said. “People can come look at the binder, and if they choose to host a rider or riders, we’ll notify the riders and share their contact information and go from there.”
Juskiewicz said being a host home is an easy task.
“They don’t have to provide meals, they just have to say we’re willing to take on some people,” Juskiewicz said. “It’s kind of a fun experience for people in town. It gives them a chance to get involved with RAGBRAI. These are people coming from all over the world. The housing committee is going to make a good match so the people in Creston have an enjoyable experience, as well as the people on RAGBRAI have a good experience.”
Host homes are asked to provide a shower and toilet facilities for RAGBRAI riders and a basement or shelter in the event of severe weather.
“If people only have space for one or two people, that’s fine. We’ll take that,” Pantini said. “Or if somebody has a larger yard and they want to let them set up a campsite, we’re looking for those folks, as well. We’ve set up some matches already. We’re just needing a lot more.”
With RAGBRAI fast approaching, providing housing for riders is just one way in which to get involved.
“We just hope lots of people in Creston help out, get involved as a volunteer or by providing housing,” Juskiewicz said. “RAGBRAI will be here in 61 days or so, so it will be here soon.”