RAGBRAI vendor debate raises new safety concerns

The resolutions passed in Monona County and under consideration in Story County would ban vendors from setting up outside of city limits along the routes.

Read the full article on KETV 7

WEEKS, AND THAT’S FOR SOME EM U D UTILITY WORK IN THE AREA. ALL RIGHT. RAGBRAI RIDERS THIS SUMMER COULD SEE SOME LONGER STRETCHES WITHOUT MANY BREAKS. ORGANIZERS. THEY’RE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT A RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED IN MONONA COUNTY, IOWA. IT BANS VENDORS FROM SETTING UP OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS. COUNTY LEADERS SAY IT WOULD ENSURE A SAFE RIDE. RAGBRAI DIRECTOR SAYS VENDORS HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN RURAL PARTS OF THE ROUTE. THEY GIVE RIDERS A PLACE TO COOL OFF AND FILL UP THEIR WATER. YOU TALK TO A RAGBRAI, THEY LIKE TO STOP ABOUT EVERY TEN MILES. SO IF THERE ARE NO STOPS ALONG THE WAY, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GO THROUGH THAT KIND OF A COUNTY AND THAT LONG OF A DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE HEADWINDS OR IT’S HOT OR IT’S HUMID, WHICH IT NORMALLY IS, YOU KNOW, IN THAT TIME OF YEAR. SO, YOU KNOW, IF THEY’RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY, YOU KNOW, THOSE STOPS REALLY HELP ALONG THE WAY. WELL, SUPERVISORS IN STORY COUNTY, IOWA

RAGBRAI vendor debate raises safety questions

As some Iowa counties consider new limits on vendors, riders, and organizers say fewer rural stops could make the route tougher and less safe.

Updated: 5:18 AM CDT May 5, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Story County is considering a resolution that would ban RAGBRAI vendors from setting up outside city limits along the route, a move officials and vendors say could create the very safety problems it aims to prevent.RAGBRAI riders often rely on “on-route vendors” for water, restrooms, and a place to cool off during long stretches between towns, said RAGBRAI ride director Matt Phippen.Phippen said in a statement to KCCI, “I always try to build a route that is safe, showing off the best parts of Iowa. The magic distance of 10 miles between towns is the sweet spot. As you know, that isn’t always possible. These on-route vendors help to fill in those gaps between the communities we spotlight on the route each day. Mr. Pork Chop, Iowa Craft Beer, and Beekman’s are three examples of this. These vendors are very different, but they all offer the same thing. A place off the route that is safe. A place to rest, shade, water, restrooms, and the opportunity to be a part of something special, which is what RAGBRAI is all about. I treat these on-route vendors just like the communities we pass through each day. Shutdown times apply to them just like the towns. I am there every day with the Iowa State Patrol, closing these locations. I have never had any issues with these proven vendors. If I need a vendor because there is too much distance without support, these on-route vendors have always been very willing to help me out. They are a part of the history of RAGBRAI, and not having them on route in these rural locations would be a huge miss for the ride. ” Monona County has already passed a similar resolution, saying it would ensure a safe ride. Scott Carlson, owner of the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, is one of those vendors who typically set up in the rural sections of RAGBRAI. He said those stops are especially important on hot, humid days or when riders face headwinds.“So if there are no stops along the way, it makes it difficult to go through that kind of a county, and that long of a ride, especially if they have headwinds or it’s hot, or it’s humid, which it normally is that time of year. So if they’re really worried about safety — those stops help along the way,” Carlson said. Story County Supervisor Latifah Faisal said in an email to KCCI: “I have received a tremendous amount of outreach, and I appreciate the input, insight, and important points they have raised. Many people have taken time to draft very thoughtful and informative emails, and this always helps us make the best decisions.”Carlson said if vendors are forced off the rural route, it could create congestion in pass-through towns.“If they didn’t have anywhere to stop, they all come at the same time to the meeting city, they all come to the same time to the end city. That’s a lot for those cities to handle,” Carlson said. Story County supervisors will discuss the resolution during their meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

RAGBRAI riders often rely on “on-route vendors” for water, restrooms, and a place to cool off during long stretches between towns, said RAGBRAI ride director Matt Phippen.

Phippen said in a statement to KCCI, “I always try to build a route that is safe, showing off the best parts of Iowa. The magic distance of 10 miles between towns is the sweet spot. As you know, that isn’t always possible. These on-route vendors help to fill in those gaps between the communities we spotlight on the route each day. Mr. Pork Chop, Iowa Craft Beer, and Beekman’s are three examples of this. These vendors are very different, but they all offer the same thing. A place off the route that is safe. A place to rest, shade, water, restrooms, and the opportunity to be a part of something special, which is what RAGBRAI is all about. I treat these on-route vendors just like the communities we pass through each day. Shutdown times apply to them just like the towns. I am there every day with the Iowa State Patrol, closing these locations. I have never had any issues with these proven vendors. If I need a vendor because there is too much distance without support, these on-route vendors have always been very willing to help me out. They are a part of the history of RAGBRAI, and not having them on route in these rural locations would be a huge miss for the ride. ”

Monona County has already passed a similar resolution, saying it would ensure a safe ride.

Scott Carlson, owner of the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, is one of those vendors who typically set up in the rural sections of RAGBRAI. He said those stops are especially important on hot, humid days or when riders face headwinds.

“So if there are no stops along the way, it makes it difficult to go through that kind of a county, and that long of a ride, especially if they have headwinds or it’s hot, or it’s humid, which it normally is that time of year. So if they’re really worried about safety — those stops help along the way,” Carlson said.

Story County Supervisor Latifah Faisal said in an email to KCCI: “I have received a tremendous amount of outreach, and I appreciate the input, insight, and important points they have raised. Many people have taken time to draft very thoughtful and informative emails, and this always helps us make the best decisions.”

Carlson said if vendors are forced off the rural route, it could create congestion in pass-through towns.

“If they didn’t have anywhere to stop, they all come at the same time to the meeting city, they all come to the same time to the end city. That’s a lot for those cities to handle,” Carlson said.

Story County supervisors will discuss the resolution during their meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m.