LAKE VIEW, Iowa (KTIV) -
From one Iowa town to another, communities are in "crunch time" trying to prepare for thousands of cyclists riding RAGBRAI. The ride starts Sunday in Sioux Center.
But, city leaders in one of the overnight stops say they know how to put on a good show. That's because Lake View has had lots of practice.
A local who has a lot of practice in riding, Tyson Quirk has biked through countless communities during his years riding in RAGBRAI. And he has some tall tales about the troubles he's had.
Tyson Quirk, Pioneer, "We've showered in car washs, put a quarter in, and the hose would shoot down on you, we've had to do that kind of stuff before. So, I know how hard it is to find a spot."
Winners of the 2011 Iowa Tourism award, Lake View is hoping that it doesn't come to that when they host "RAGBRAI" on the second night of the annual ride.
John Westergaard, Lake View Mayor said, "It's a tremendous amount of coordination between the school groups and the churches and trying to get enough vendors. I just think that only a small town could you get so many people doing so much."
Small town indeed. City leaders claim this community of 1,200 is the smallest to ever host a RAGBRAI overnight stay. Something that shouldn't be a problem for Lake View.
And, right before RAGBRAI pedals through, a nice appetizer before the main meal.
Scott Peterson, City Administrator said, "We always figure there's about 20,000 come to the Summer Water Carnival and that's Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then I guess we'll turn around and have another 20,000 to 25,000 come into town on Monday."
So add in all those riders and those who decide to stay from the carnival, and there's a lot of people. That's where locals like Quirk come in, offering his parking lot to motor homes.
Tyson Quirk, added, "It's just fun to hang out with them and see where everybody's from, get to know them. I haven't said no to anybody, everybody who's asked has been able to come in."
