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Press release from the Ottumwa RAGBRAI committee

OTTUMWA—Grab your lawn chair. RAGBRAI® XXXVII will be rolling into Ottumwa on Thursday, July 23. Residents living along the route will enjoy watching the 10,000 bikers as they converge on Ottumwa. Drivers will want to avoid several south side streets as bikers enter the city.

The route on Thursday for riders entering Ottumwa includes:

• East on Bluegrass Road to the intersection of Shaul Avenue / Mary Street
• North on Shaul Avenue to Finley Avenue
• East on Finley Avenue to Johnson Avenue
• North on Johnson Avenue to Chester Avenue
• East on Chester Avenue to Ferry Street
• North on Ferry Street to Greater Ottumwa Park

The primary campground will be in the eastern quadrant of Ottumwa Park, with activities planned for Central Park, Church Street, and Bridge View Center. Some riders will also camp on the west side of the park.

Riders will head out of Ottumwa on Friday morning, using the following route:

• Exit Greater Ottumwa Park to US HWY 34/63
• East on US HWY 63 to Church Street off ramp
• Church Street off ramp to Church Street
• North on Church Street until it merges into Market Street at Des Moines River
• North on Market Street to 4^th Street
• West on 4^th Street to Court Street
• North on Court Street to Carter Avenue
• East on Carter Avenue to Indian Hills Community College campus
• Southeast through Indian Hills Community College campus to Alta Vista Avenue
• East on Alta Vista Avenue until it merges with Dahlonega Road

Residents along both routes are being encouraged to plant petunias, wear RAGBRAI t-shirts, cheer the riders on, and help show that Ottumwa is a great place to live.  Residents along the routes who want to get involved should contact hospitality chairs Nancy Menke or Julie Zorn.