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INTERVIEW: Sergeant Bluff Gears Up for RAGBRAI

The Annual Register’s Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) kicks off Sunday, July 24, 2022, in Sergeant Bluff. This year Siouxland stands out with overnight stops in Ida Grove, Pocahontas, and Emmetsburg. The route includes Mason City, Charles City, and West Union. Cyclists end their journey in Lansing in eastern Iowa on July 30th.

The community of Sergeant Bluff has been working for months to prepare for an estimated crowd of more than 25,000 people. Erin Edlund is publicity chair for RAGBRAI in Sergeant Bluff. She provided details to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer.

Erin Edlund
Morningside University
Erin Edlund

Festivities in Sergeant Bluff start on Friday night with a full day of fun on Saturday before riders head out of town on Sunday morning.

RAGBRAI information from the city of Sergeant Bluff:

The City of Sergeant Bluff will serve as the kickoff location for RAGBRAI® XLIX Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24, 2022. The following is important public safety and media information for the event.

General Information

Sergeant Bluff will begin hosting campgrounds and events for RAGBRAI® riders beginning Friday, July 22, and will conclude all camping and events on Sunday, July 24, 2022. Information for the events in Sergeant Bluff can be found at the RAGBRAI website or at the Sergeant Bluff RAGBRAI 2022 Facebook page. The City’s interactive Google map has all information for the event, including photos and additional info and links found by clicking the various symbols and marks on the map.

Traffic Notice

· The City of Sergeant Bluff anticipates 25,000+ people in city limits for RAGBRAI® between Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24. Anyone living in or planning to visit Sergeant Bluff during these dates should expect heavy vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic and practice extra caution and patience while traveling through Sergeant Bluff.

· On Saturday, July 23, the City of Sergeant Bluff will provide three shuttle routes that can be utilized by residents and guests. The shuttles are free of charge. Tips will be collected to benefit local community organizations. Shuttle routes, stops, and information are available on the City’s Google Map.

· Residents of Sergeant Bluff are encouraged to help limit vehicular traffic and instead walk, ride bicycles, or use shuttle services.

· Given the heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area, drivers are asked to exercise extra cautioun when traveling on roadways, opening vehicle doors, and when entering and exiting parking spaces. Please also refrain from using phones or engaging in distracted driving.

Road Closures in Sergeant Bluff

View the Google map to reference streets and information.

· Beginning Friday, July 22, at 8 a.m. to Sunday, July 24, 2022, at noon:

o D Street from 2nd Street to 5th Street

o 4th Street from S. Lewis Blvd. to D Street

§ Due to the road closure on 4th Street, access to the Post Office will be available from E Street and/or the alley south of 4th Street.

o Front Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street

o E Street from 4th Street to 5th Street

· On Saturday, July 23, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

o Access to Sergeant Square Drive will be closed at Frontier Street, Topaz Drive, Prairie Lane, Baker Drive, and Carriage Lane to allow for one-way traffic only. Please use alternate routes.

· On Sunday, July 24, from 5:30-8:30 a.m.

o 1st Street from S. Lewis Blvd. to Gaul Dr. will be CLOSED.

§ Access to 1st Street will be closed from Windsor Way, Vandenberg Circle, and Roundtable Road during this time. Please use alternate routes.

One-Way Traffic in Sergeant Bluff

· On Saturday, July 23, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sgt. Square Dr. from 1st Street to Warrior Rd. will be ONE-WAY TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND, and Warrior Rd. from Sgt. Square to Port Neal Rd. will be ONE-WAY TRAVELING EASTBOUND.

Parking In Sergeant Bluff

Any vehicle illegally parked will be immediately towed at the owner’s expense. Please follow all parking laws and regulations, including the parking information below.

· There is NO OFF-STREET PARKING on Gaul Drive.

· There is NO PARKING on D Street from 1st Street to 2nd Street.

· There is NO PARKING on both sides of 2nd Street between C Street and D Street.

· There is NO PARKING on the west side of C Street between 3rd Street and 5th Street.

· There is NO PARKING on the south side of 5th Street between C Street and D Street.

· There is NO PARKING in marked fire lanes or in front of fire hydrants.

· Drivers should not block driveways or congest culs-de-sac.

· Drivers should not be parked more than 12 inches from a curb.

Severe Weather Information

· Storm shelters have been designated for each campground. Please familiarize yourself with these areas. Additionally, Sergeant Bluff residents are encouraged to provide shelter for RAGBRAI® guests in the event of inclement weather if residents feel safe to do so.

· Outdoor warning sirens will ONLY be used in the event of a TORNADO WARNING that includes the City of Sergeant Bluff OR if straight-line winds exceeding 70mph are predicted. Severe weather that does not meet the outlined criteria will be announced through the public address feature of the outdoor warning system.

· The City of Sergeant Bluff uses the Thor Guard lightning prediction system. The system sends an alert when there is lightning within 12 -15 minutes of the city limits. When the system goes into red alert, Klaxon horns will sound for 15 seconds to alert people outside. Klaxon horns are installed at the B Street ballfields, the fire station, and the Sergeant Bluff Recreation Complex. When the threat of lightning has subsided, there will be three 5-second blasts from the Klaxon horns.

· Riders should be weather aware as weather conditions in Iowa can change quickly. Please consult a weather app or other resources for updates.

· Riders are encouraged to opt-in for Alert Iowa notifications specific to RAGBRAI.

Emergencies or Suspicious Activity

Sergeant Bluff encourages residents and guests to report suspicious or dangerous activity. Non-emergency information can be reported to Woodbury County Dispatch at 712-279-6510. Emergencies should be reported through 911.

Sunday Morning Departure Information

Riders will depart Sergeant Bluff on Sunday morning and follow 210th Street/County Road D38 out of town to proceed to the next stop in Ida Grove.

A nondenominational prayer sendoff and spiritual centering will be led by Morningside University Campus Pastor Andy Nelson at 6:30 a.m. near Warrior Snow at the Sergeant Bluff Recreation Complex.

Grand Farewell on Sunday from 6-8:30 a.m.

Residents of Sergeant Bluff and the surrounding area are invited to bid riders well during a Grand Farewell along 1st Street in Sergeant Bluff from 6-8:30 a.m. Well-wishers are encouraged to bring signs and noisemakers, but are asked to not shoot water at riders, attempt high-fiving riders, or otherwise obstructing the riders/ride route. Pets should be leashed or left at home, and children on bikes or on foot should be kept off the ride route for their safety.

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