COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KMTV) — It's a problem RAGBRAI organizers haven't faced in years. Up to 20,000 bicyclists are expected to arrive in western wowa in a couple weeks.
The annual ride across Iowa is all planned out, but volunteers are still needed.
The thousands of bicyclists will gather at the Mid-America Center mid-July to trek east across the state in a 47-year tradition. But before they get here, organizer Warren Weber needs help from volunteers in Council Bluffs.
"We need 250 volunteers total," Weber said. "We're now a little over than 150, so we're still looking for close to 100 people."
Bikers from across the country and even the world will start in Council Bluffs and make their way to the eastern part of Iowa during their seven-day journey. Mayor Matt Walsh is encouraging the community to help get the city ready for the participants and welcome them to town.
"It's a great way to show your community off," Mayor Walsh said. "To give four hours of your time to get down there and volunteer, hear some stories, I think it's great."
The hundred-or-so volunteers needed will help direct incoming bikers where to set up camp. Others are needed to help empty recycle and waste bins ahead of the ride's first day on July 21.
"[That will be] the first day of the full week," Weber said. "All the friends and bikers who end up here, they're still pretty fresh and they haven't been riding for four days."
Western Iowa will be a busy place that weekend, with events happening inside the arena and nearby Stir Cove. Still, Weber is confident the job will get done and is expecting more volunteers to sign up.
"If we needed 20 volunteers for one part and we get 15, we'll make it work," Weber said. "I don't think it will affect the quality of experience visitors will have whether they're bikers or the people with them."
Organizers ask that you sign up to volunteer here.
