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"Would you mind if we put up 20 tents in your yard?" Nan Cameron of Fairfield recounts a telephone conversation minutes earlier on this cool March morning, assuring Ragbrai organizers that bicyclists can camp in her yard come July. "I told them, 'That's okay, you can put up your tents,' " Nan says.
"As you get older, your priorities change," she adds. "I like to help with one-shot things, like Ragbrai."
Cameron, who has a long list of community activities to her credit, was recently honored as a 1996 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. In her early years of volunteering and raising three young children, she'd set up a playpen while attending to the details of the project at hand, often in the area of performing arts. As her daughters progressed through Girl Scouts, she received a 15-year pin for her volunteer work. "I'm not a camping person. That was a sacrifice, let me tell you," she says.
In typical Nan Cameron fashion, this dynamic woman, with her energy, sense of humor, and multitude of talents, is pushing up her sleeves and plunging into yet another project for her community. "Ragbrai will need a ton of people to help. I'd like to make a plea that volunteers are needed," she says, adding that the Chamber of Commerce gives untold hours to the betterment of the town. "There's a need for new young people to get involved. Fairfield's hurting for young people because so many mothers work, which understandably leaves little or no time for volunteer work."
What to Volunteer For
Volunteers of all ages will help give Fairfield its well-organized, friendly image, and thousands are needed to host this year's RAGBRAI. People are needed for 15 committees, including publicity, hospitality, entertainment, campgrounds, information centers, food service vendors, beverage garden, public safety, law enforcement, medical, shuttle service, sanitation, communications, and housing.
There's also a committee to recruit volunteers, chaired by Jim Edgeton of Fairfield, a seasoned volunteer who served on the Iowa Sesquicentennial Committee. "People can contact me if they wish to volunteer, or want to volunteer to find volunteers. We need speakers and organizers and paper-work people. The main thing is to create a big pool of volunteers and divide them up among the committees," he says. "We need people planning and preparing before July 25, and volunteers for that actual day."
The Big Night: July 25
About 20,000 cyclists are expected to roll into Fairfield July 25 on the final night of the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. An additional 8,000 people, such as visitors and support crews, are also anticipated to be in attendance. Buses, vans, campers, and recreational vehicles will park in available campgrounds. In 1988, about 14,000 riders participated in the last overnight stay in Fairfield. With this being Ragbrai's 25th anniversary, many more will take part in the ride.
Each summer Ragbrai's route follows a different path. This year's 462-mile route, extending from the Missouri to the Mississippi, begins July 20 in Missouri Valley and ends July 26 in Fort Madison. Coming from Stockport as they reach Fairfield, bicyclists will travel on Glasgow Road, Madison Avenue, South Park Street, to Fillmore Avenue to the Middle School, says Bev Nelson, Ragbrai Co-chair. "It's a fabulous event for Fairfield, a chance to show off our town to a lot of people. It's going to take the whole community to host it," she said.
Entertainment on the Square
Most of the food booths and entertainment will be located at the town square. "We have great entertainment lined up" Nelson adds. "Several local bands will play a variety of music, and the morning disc jockeys from Dallas, Zippo and Maria, will be hosting some of the entertainment."
Iowa's Biggest Summer Activity
Ragbrai's original organizers are John Karas and Chuck Offenburger, staff writers for the Des Moines Register. Over the years, Ragbrai has grown substantially and is now the largest organized bicycle tour in the United States. "It's gaining national recognition," says John Salerno, who has participated in six Ragbrais. "People from all over the country and abroad come to participate. Ragbrai is Iowa's biggest summerfest activity in terms of the number of people participating. It helps the economy of each town it goes through."
Bikers have the right-of-way, and each year courtesy and safety are emphasized. "The image Fairfield leaves is the last town image that riders will have. Fairfield has the best chance to leave a good impression because it will be the last impression," Salerno adds. "We want it to be a good stop with good organization, showing our hospitable town."
Some cyclists don't ride the full route and join in toward the end of the event. "Riders have one-, two-, or three-day options, and can register for those few days. If you'd like more information or would like to participate in this summer's ride, please contact me," Salerno says. April 1 was the deadline for applying for baggage tags for people who want to camp.
Everyone Rides
It's difficult to generalize about the people who ride in Ragbrai. "We have old and young riders in all kinds of occupations," Salerno explains. "Some casual riders do it for the first time. Some ride old junkers, but the average bike ridden is a $500 bike. We have hard-core bikers, bike clubs, and cyclists who ride a lot. It's rough if you're not in good shape. One of the oldest riders was 83 years old. He rode in Ragbrai for several years."
Salerno, who is in good shape, plans to ride his 21-pound Masi, a lightweight Italian bike. A bike enthusiast for many years, Salerno is co-director of the Fairfield Bike Club, which he describes as quasi-organized. "Generally, the club rides on Sundays starting at 10 o'clock, usually from March through November," he says.
Iowans Meeting Iowans
Whether you're a cyclist or a volunteer, once you get started, you're on your way. For the volunteer, "it's an opportunity to promote your city, your club, or your group," Edgeton says. "On a personal level, as a volunteer you're involved in an activity that lets you meet a lot of new people. It's Iowans meeting Iowans."
Don't Miss the Fun--Volunteer To Help!
Choose a Committee
€ The committees are Publicity, Hospitality, Entertainment, Campgrounds, Information Centers, Food Service Vendors, Beverage Garden, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Medical, Shuttle Service, Sanitation, Communications, and Housing. Once you've picked a committees, call Jim Edgeton at 472-1933 and tell him which one you'd like to volunteer for.
Volunteer Your Home or Your Yard
€ Many bikers join RAGBRAI each year so they can meet the friendly folks along the way. "It's a good way to meet people," says Juanita Martin of the Chamber of Commerce. "And not just people from Iowa, but from all over." Lots of homes and yards will be needed. If you can offer either, call the Chamber of Commerce at 472-2111. The Chamber may also be able to answer any other general questions you have about RAGBRAI.
Volunteer to Help on July 25
€ Lots of help will be needed for the day of the bikers' arrival. Call the Chamber at 472-2111 to volunteer.
