Morrison RAGBRAI organizers pose for a photo with RAGBRAI ride director Matt Phippen, second from left, and route inspector Scott Olsen, far right, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in downtown Morrison. The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will pass through the community on Thursday, July 23. Also pictured (l-r) Sue Green, Laura Bru, city clerk Robin Folkerts, and Mayor Dave Hach. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

MORRISON – The tiny but ever-so-mighty Grundy County community of Morrison successfully hosted the official RAGBRAI route inspection pre-ride just ahead of lunchtime on Thursday, June 4, welcoming some 30 people to town including ride director Matt Phippen.

“[The pre-ride] has been going really well. We’re excited to be here,” Phippen told the newspaper Thursday morning as he stood on Morrison’s Sycamore Street between the iconic Morris Inn Steak House and The Pie Lady’s pie wagon (food truck) set up next to Tom McLean Park. “I have a very, very small staff. I pick everyone who’s here (with me) – volunteers, city officials, police (officers). The best of the best that can answer any questions that towns have. The goal is a safe ride.”

For The Pie Lady’s Laura Bru of rural Gladbrook and longtime Morrison Mayor Dave Hach – both of whom sit on Morrison’s RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) committee – the morning could not have gone better. As riders rolled into town along Sycamore Street from the west off Iowa Highway 175, they waved and smiled – especially when they saw pie was on the Morrison menu. “I knew someone would have pie today!” a rider called out to Bru and her pie assistant, Alex Rogers.

“I had multiple towns interested in me, but Morrison snatched me up,” Bru said. “This is the spot!”

Traveling from the Missouri River in Onawa to the Mississippi River in Dubuque, RAGBRAI LIII takes place July 18-25 this year. After taking off from the overnight town of Marshalltown on the morning of Thursday, July 23, RAGBRAI riders will log 86.2 miles on their way to the next overnight town of Independence – passing through Green Mountain, Beaman, Grundy Center, Morrison, Reinbeck, Washburn, Gilbertville, and Jesup. Morrison serves as a Day 5 pass-through town, while nearby Reinbeck is the official meeting town (lunch stop).

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Despite a population of less than 100 people, Morrison will be well-stocked the day RAGBRAI comes to town, Mayor Hach said, thanks to local businesses including Cooley Pumping which will be handling restrooms and trash.

“The essential stuff,” Hach said with a laugh.

Along Sycamore Street, Bru will be serving up her made-from-scratch pies, homemade ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches. Directly across the street in an adjacent empty grass lot, Morris Inn Steak House will host a beer garden and serve pulled pork sandwiches.

The Des Moines Area Community College Ag Club will also be present along Sycamore Street, selling cyclist basics like bananas and ready-to-eat snacks.

Two blocks off Highway 175, at the corner of Sycamore and Fourth streets, riders will also have the opportunity to visit the Grundy County Heritage Museum operated by the Grundy County Conservation Board. All buildings will be open during RAGBRAI’s pass-through for riders to get up close and personal with some resident snakes, check out the aquariums, learn about Morrison’s nearly 150-year history, and more before hopping back on their bicycles to head out of town along Broadway Street.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

As the RAGBRAI crew chatted with locals and enjoyed baby-sized pie samples and ice cream Thursday morning, Mayor Hach asked Phippen if he had any suggestions for Morrison.

“No, you guys are great,” Phippen replied. “We love small-town, rural Iowa. Don’t do any more than you can handle.”

After snapping a photo with local committee members including the mayor, Phippen adjusted his helmet before pointing his bike tires west in the direction of Reinbeck.

“Thanks guys for stopping,” Bru called out. “See you in a month!”

“We’ll bring more friends next time!” Phippen replied.

The Pie Lady’s Laura Bru, left, poses for a photo with a pair of RAGBRAI pre-riders thrilled to see her and her homemade apple pie on Thursday, June 4, in downtown Morrison. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Reinbeck town hall

REINBECK – On Monday, June 15, the Reinbeck RAGBRAI committee will be hosting a community town hall at the Memorial Building beginning at 6:30 p.m.

According to organizers, the meeting will address traffic and road closures, volunteer needs, event logistics, safety measures, trash, sanitation, and more. Committee members will also field audience questions.

“We encourage everyone to attend,” the committee wrote on social media. “This is an opportunity to stay informed, understand how RAGBRAI may affect you, and get your questions answered.”

The newspaper will feature coverage of the meeting in the Friday, June 19 edition of the Sun Courier.

Sue Green showcases The Pie Lady’s baby-sized pie samples and ice cream served during RAGBRAI’s pre-ride visit to Morrison on June 4. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

RAGBRAI staff, route inspection riders, and volunteers check out a snake held by a member of Grundy County Conservation on Thursday, June 4, in downtown Morrison. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER