• Article Photo. Rick Zimpfer and Nathan Hesson speak to a RAGBRAI rider about the Vinton ride-through.
    Rick Zimpfer and Nathan Hesson speak to a RAGBRAI rider about the Vinton ride-through.
  • Article Photo. Vinton City Coordinator Andy Lent rides with RAGBRAI riders through Vinton on Thursday.
    Vinton City Coordinator Andy Lent rides with RAGBRAI riders through Vinton on Thursday.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. RAGBRAI route scouts ride through Vinton.
    RAGBRAI route scouts ride through Vinton.
  • Article Photo. RAGBRAI Director TJ Juskiewicz speaks to local residents while wearing the official event shirt.
    RAGBRAI Director TJ Juskiewicz speaks to local residents while wearing the official event shirt.

On a quiet Thursday afternoon, RAGBRAI Director TJ Juskiewicz stood on a sidewalk along Fourth Street looking forward to another Thursday seven weeks away.

"That Thursday (July 26) will be a lot different than this one," said Juskiewicz.

On that day, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 riders, along with support crews, will pass through Vinton sometime between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

Juskiewicz, along with RAGBRAI staff riders and a few bicycle enthusiasts, have been riding the entire RAGBRAI route to check road and traffic conditions, and to help community leaders along the route prepare for Iowa's famous annual event.

The riders stopped at Peppy's Ice Cream, where they relaxed for a while before heading to Shellsburg for a meal. They briefly stopped in Garrison before coming in to Vinton via Highway 218.

Juskiewicz said the conditions of Iowa roads is as good as ever, thanks in part to the mild winter. The biggest concern, he said, will be the weather. Heat and humidity, storms, and even cold and rain have all afflicted RAGBRAI riders.

The weather could also affect the sales for the businesses and organizations that set up booths to sell refreshments to riders. Juskiewicz discussed vending issues with VU Director Nathan Hesson and other RAGBRAI committee members during their stop in Vinton.

Juskiewicz also told the leaders to advise business owners to prepare to ship items to customers who will be coming to Vinton from all over the U.S.

"People will want to buy things here, but they won't be able to carry them with them on their bikes," he said.

Juskiewicz also said that riders generally prefer to buy from non-profit organizations such as a girls' softball team, than a corporate booth. 

The Vinton RAGBRAI Committee is holding a meeting tonight for vendors, at 7 p.m. at the US Bank Community Room. Everyone is invited.