Storm Lake, Iowa — Storm Lake had been scheduled as an overnight stop for next summer’s RAGBRAI bicycle ride across Iowa, but that community has now rolled in the welcome mat.
According to a release from the City of Storm Lake, the difficult decision to not host RAGBRAI 2021 was made after input from Storm Lake’s RAGBRAI Advisory Board, volunteers, local law enforcement, local health officials and school officials.
Storm Lake officials say, while they were excited to be chosen as an overnight stop, they’re facing hurdles in 2021 that include strain on local essential workers, an uncertain time frame for COVID-19 vaccinations and uncertainty over continued infection rates from the virus.
Additionally, Storm Lake RAGBRAI organizers say there are also concerns about being able to offer adequate housing, since there is a reluctance to host individuals in private homes or school facilities.
Officials say Storm Lake looks forward to hosting RAGBRAI in the future when things are more settled.
RAGBRAI 2020 was cancelled this past summer due to the pandemic, and ride officials had announced that they would use the route planned for 2020 for their 2021 ride. With Storm Lake’s decision to not host the riders this year, RAGBRAI organizers will be forced to find another community for one of their overnight stops.
