Northern route - one of the shortest and flattest. Come join CVC!
Cedar Valley Cyclists (CVC) run one of the most highly regarded charter services for more than 30 years. To join the Cedar Valley Cyclists charter, first select the Cedar Valley Cyclists group on your RAGBRAI® Registration. Membership in Cedar Valley Cyclists is a requirement of our Charter program. If you are not already a member, please complete the membership application here Become a Member – Cedar Valley Cyclists.
Team Effort: It takes a group effort to put CVC’s charter together. Please seek out our CVC RAGBRAI® Charter Director, Campground host or other charter Crew member if you’d like to help. Activities may include pre-RAGBRAI® loading of gear (Friday) and bikes (Saturday) on the trucks, in-camp assistance with canopies, showers, etc. Please indicate on the application what you would be interested in helping with.
Campsites: CVC scouts and reserves a campsite in each overnight town, either in the main RAGBRAI® campground or another designated site. We strive to have a location with grass, shade, and easy access to food, shuttle bus routes and entertainment. Our charter Crew maps out the most effective route into our campsite. Effective 2025 in compliance with the overnight towns’ requirements, RAGBRAI® does not allow the posting of team signs. We provide a pocket-size card with the location and GPS coordinates of each campsite and send daily text messages with directions. We strongly recommend using the Ride with GPS files provided by RAGBRAI®, but either way, we will ensure you can find us.
Canopies: CVC has 3 10’x20’ blue pop-up canopies. Campgrounds may have little or no shade so the canopy space is very nice on sunny (or rainy) days. CVC brings ~50 plastic chairs for use under the canopy.
Beverages: CVC provides coolers with iced water and other cold beverages under the canopies. It’s nice to know that after a long day you can find your favorite drink right at camp. Contribution is on the honor system, so please contribute for what you consume. Our Crew tries to honor requests for specific beverages but choice may be limited by availability. Coolers will be marked with a QR code for contribution – this made it much easier in 2024. You may contribute in cash if you prefer.
Baggage: There is a limit of 4 bags/totes per cyclist, and weight limit is 40#/bag. You will load your own bags, so pack only what you need and consider using 3 smaller bags vs one very heavy bag. Please see the checklist link below for packing suggestions. If you prefer to use one large hard side tote, a Crew member can assist you in loading the tote.
Showers: CVC has 4 shower stalls, so the line is never long. We provide solar shower bags, water source and portable water heater for filling your bag. You may choose to use the pay showers at a school or shower truck (~$8-$10) though the lines are typically long and the water not always hot. We invested in significant shower system improvements in 2024, so we have our own water source if city water isn’t available. You will always have a hot shower available with CVC!
Restroom Facilities: CVC provides our own porta-pots and handwash stations in camp. There will also be fresh water available in camp or nearby.
Miscellaneous: CVC brings bike floor pumps, and electric air pumps to inflate air mattresses. We have a charging station for cell phones and other electronic devices but be sure to bring your own charging cords. Tent set up may be available; please indicate on your Charter application if you are interested.
Charter Logistics: We will accept up to 150 people supported with two 26-foot rental trucks. CVC’s charter buses leave from a parking lot in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area where you may park for the week at no charge. Please note: This charter starts and ends in Waterloo, IA. If you are driving to the start town and leaving your car there, it’s YOUR responsibility to get transportation back for yourself and your bike.