Charles City gearing up for RAGBRAI stop

(ABC 6 News) – The Register’s Annual Great Cicyle Ride Across Iowa, otherwise known as RAGBRAI, kicks off July 23 and city and community leaders in Charles City are working hard to make sure they’re ready.

"I know that our police department has gone through city council to get the necessary permissions they need to work with other communities, s other near by communities will share police officers for those days just to make sure we have enough staff in town," said Hospitality Committee Chair for Charles City RAGBRAI Phoebe Pittman.

Charles City has named its stop "Viva Charles City." Those in the community say it’s important for them to show off their community when riders come to town.

"We know that there are RAGBRAI riders out there who really make an effort to eat and shop local when they are in town. It’s not like all 20-thousand of them will do that, but we do hope that as many of them as possible will check out all the little shops that they have here in Charles City and our local restaurants as well," added Pittman.

Eight Iowa communities will serve as "hosts" for overnight stays during the ride. The total route averages about 468 miles.