Pork Belly Update-Our Week in the Corn

July 14, 2025

Dear Friends,

At long last, here's the Good Stuff, the everyday fun of RAGBRAI with PBV! Roll through this update for all the delights and relative luxuries we've been planning for you. We'll begin with your Pork Goodies available every day in camp, touch on our wonderful non-profit partners for this year, and then roll right through the week with your day-to-day schedule of comforts, conveniences, services, pleasures! At the very end, we've included Hours of Operation.

Got our mobile app? Every day of RAGBRAI, the Pork Belly Mobile app will remind you what's waiting for you in Pork Camp--the vendors, the full-service bike shop, dinner and entertainment, and other special services. Don't ride without the Pork Belly Mobile App!

ABOVE: Wednesday in Iowa Falls,

get up and dance with Bad Friends!

The Goodies

You Can ALWAYS Expect

In Pork Camp Each Day.

We Got You Covered.

Morning Coffee/

Grab-and-Go Breakfast Items

(and sometimes a hot breakfast)

Krista starts brewing at 4:30, while it's still dark. Join all the bedheads who crawl out of their tents and stumble toward the lights of the coffee trailer!

This little coffee trailer will always be located near Roll With It, the front desk trailer. Near this trailer, you'll find an array of breakfast items from each vendor in each overnight town--and some of our vendors are raising funds for their athletic team, historical society, school, or non-profit. The typical breakfast offerings in Pork Camp are some combination of these popular items: hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, bananas, some sort of donuts/pastries/muffins/sweet rolls, oatmeal packets, cheese sticks, granola bars, chocolate milk, and maybe other yummy things.

(Most, if not all, of our vendors have promised hot breakfast items, which is beyond what we normally provide. Please read further for the day-to-day detail.)

Afternoon Food Vendors in Camp

Our lunch vendors are a blend of professional vendors/restaurants, grocers, and also non-profits - the folks who are volunteering their time, and hoping to use the funds they raise for one worthy purpose or another. Let's eat up and be generous!

Our Friendly

Front Desk

Maybe you're thirsty after a long road. Come to our front desk for ice-cold beverages, to check out shirts, jerseys, and other merch, or to snap your photo of tomorrow's map! When you have a problem, a good place to start is our front desk. We're here from noon to 8:00 PM.

The COB!

At our front desk each day, you'll find a big magnetic board with a bunch of movable pieces. Each day, the Google map of our campsite is replaced with a new one, and each day, the Campground Orientation Board (COB) reflects all of our equipment and places of interest on our changing daily landscape!

Daily Hot Shower

and Towel

You'll love this part of the Pork Experience! Shower on Air-Conditioned trailers with a private dressing area for each stall and a body-wash dispenser, too! We have 76 shower heads in camp daily, and our stalls are cleaned after every use!

Showers open at noon and will close at 8:00 PM daily, Friends. They drive at night!

Suppers

Three of your suppers are included (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday). Three of them are optional (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)--and you've had the chance to select among those menus. Supper is served either at 5:00 to 7:00 or 6:00 to 8:00, depending on the length of your cycling day. We have planned our menus to change it up from night to night!

Phone-Charging

These trailers open at 5:00 AM and they'll be locked at 10:00 PM. Bring your own small padlock, please, to lock a compartment while you're charging. Take your lock with you when you remove your device/s - PLEASE DO NOT lock up an empty compartment - your lock may be cut off so that others can use it.

Do remember, please, that we have separate areas for e-bike battery charging, for those with or without detachable batteries. Come to the COB (front desk) daily to learn those locations!

Pork Yoga with Gracie

Gracie is staying with an evening timeframe for Pork Yoga this year, and here's her lovely video about what Pork Yogis can expect! Click on the image for her full video!

On Tuesday night, when Gracie is away, Victoria (one of our riders who teaches yoga regularly) will lead Pork Yoga--Thank you, Victoria!

Massage

Many riders made appointments in advance for our 11 massage therapists in camp. But you can still make appointments on Saturday at check-in or walk up during the week and ask for an open table!

Bike Mechanics

Our mechanics will be set up in camp by about 3:00 PM on most days, and you can check the COB for their location!

Full-Service Bike Shop in Camp

We're so fortunate that Bike Tech joins us at various times in camp, usually late afternoon or evening (depending on their on-route stations) to sell parts and accessories and help with bike maintenance and repair!

Wish You Were Here!

While you're having a blast in Pork Camp, you can share the Corn Joy and the Pork Love by sending a few Pork Postcards (above), complete with a stamp and our special daily Pork Postal Service!

This year's postcard features the artwork of our late friend and Iowa artist, Carolyn Blattel-Britton. For a long long time, Carolyn drew our intricate souvenir posters and many little vignettes, and we're thinking of her this year as we enjoy her whimsical style once again! We thank Becca Laughlin, our artful team member, for designing this year's postcard!

Send off your hand-written, old-fashioned, snail-mail

"Greetings from Pork Camp!

Wish You Were Here!"

Available at Our Front Desk, throughout

Your Week In the Corn!

PBV has a longstanding tradition of

working for the mutual benefit of

our riders and our hosts!

During your Week in the Corn

with PBV,

watch for the chance to help

our non-profit partners:

The Landsmeer Golf Club,

our Orange City host and food vendor.

Some of the meals will be offered for a free-will donation,

so please be generous, friends!

She Wrestles,

our breakfast vendor Monday morning in Milford,

a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the growth and success of girls’ wrestling in Northwest Iowa.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

in Estherville Monday night, our hospitable

indoor sleeping venue.

The Little League

in Estherville Monday evening, vending out of their

concession stand near our showers.

The Winnebago Historical Society

of Forest City, our Tuesday campsite hosts, indoor sleeping

venues, our caterer, and our breakfast vendor.

You'll have many opportunities to support them!

Ellsworth College,

the hosts of our dorm stay on Wednesday in Iowa Falls!

The Cedar Falls Community Theater,

our indoor sleeping hosts on Thursday!

The Oelwein Schools,

our Friday night campsite hosts, indoor sleeping venue, food vendors, and breakfast vendors on Saturday morning!

And now, without further ado,

we present the day-by-day fun stuff of

Our Week In the Corn!

Saturday, July 20

Togetherness

In Orange City!

Gathering Day

~~Saturday at a Glance~~

Landsmeer Golf Club is our campsite!
Krista brews coffee at 6:00 AM today (she's sleeping in)
For breakfast today, Landsmeer will offer breakfast burritos, bagels, yogurt, granola bars, fruit, PLUS a “breakfast beverage” station for Bloody Mary’s and Vodka OJs. (We used to call that a Screwdriver)
You can bike or ride the town shuttle to the Bike Expo, which opens at noon.
All day till 8:00 PM, Check-in for PBV Weeklong Support
Pick up Massage Appointment Cards today!
The swimming pool is walkable!

Back by popular demand, from Noon Till Dark, Get your RAGBRAI Groove On! Henna Artist, Meagan Mattson will have her own tent and table! Designs usually range from $10 - $20, depending on the size/detail.
You can purchase one or more golf balls (they're selling 1000) for the Landsmeer Ball Drop Fundraiser at 7:00 PM. $5 per ball! You could be a winner! More below!
We're lucky to have two vendors in Orange City. In the afternoon & evening, Pizza Ranch will offer pizza by the slice outside in the parking lot! For lunch, Landsmeer Golf Club will offer burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, bags of chips, coleslaw, veggie tray. For dinner, they'll switch it up a little, with loose-meat sandwiches, BBQ chicken, chips, slaw, potato salad, and veggie trays.
Coaches arrive throughout the day; heavy arrivals from 12:00 to 3:30 PM.
About 4:00 PM on Pork Stage--Blue Sunday, pictured below, a group of musical prodigies from the Blues Ed program! When they're performing, friends, you'll forget how young they are.

Be there for the Landsmeer Ball-Drop Fundraiser on the practice putting green at 8:45 PM Saturday evening. Golf balls can be purchased for $5 any time starting Friday afternoon. The pot will be split 70% to Landsmeer and 30% split between the balls that fall into a cup on the green. You need not be present to win. Support our hosts! Buy balls!
Showers till 8:00 PM in camp

Sunday Morning Breakfast from the College Men's Golf Club from 4:30 to 7:00 AM: Bagels, bananas, apples, granola bars, yogurts, muffins, and limited breakfast burritos. Grab a bite or a meal before your 71-mile Sunday ride!

Your journey on two wheels begins!

Sunday, July 20

NOT Run-of-the-Mill

in Milford!

71.8 miles, 1520 feet of climb

~~Sunday at a Glance~~

Come home to Memorial Park in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of town, next to RAGBRAI's main campground!
All-Day Food Vending from two vendors.
McCreary's Creative Catering will offer Reubens and Rachels Vegetarian Reubens, their own bratwurst, Chips, Brownies, and Ice Cream Sandwiches!
Holy Smoke food truck will offer BBQ pulled pork, pulled chicken, ribs, mac n cheese, slaw, chips, and something sweet!
Tonight's included dinner is served from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, menu below.
True Blues on Pork Stage, 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
About 7:00 PM to dusk, Bike Tech will be in camp--full-service bike shop.
7:30 to 8:15, Pork Yoga with Gracie
Showers till 8:00 PM

Sunday's Welcome Supper Menu!

from Birdies, Burgers, & Beers

of Graettinger, Iowa:

???? Tuscany Chicken Breast in cream sauce,

???? Wild rice,

???? Summer squash blend,

???? Tossed salad w/choice of dressings,

???? Breadstick,

???? Watermelon wedge

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The meatless version is Caribbean Tofu Skillet w/ peppers, onion, tomato, mushrooms, pineapple, wild rice
GF folks will have GF bread in place of the breadstick.

BELOW: On Pork Stage Tonight, True Blues

of the BluesEd music education program!

Monday morning's 4:30 breakfast vendor is a non-profit, She Wrestles, beside our coffee trailer offering deluxe breakfast brats, donuts, assorted breakfast pastries, hard-boiled eggs, granola bars, fruit, energy balls, yogurt, string cheese, applesauce, chocolate milk, and juice. What a spread! Please be generous to these hard-working athletes and their parent volunteers!

Monday, July 21

A Walk in the Park

in Estherville!

41.2 miles, 1103 feet of climb

~~Monday at a Glance~~

After today's short ride, find yourself in beautiful and shady Thoreson Park!
All-Day Food Vending in two locations.
HyVee in the park shelter near our front desk, offering their usual great variety.
The Little League in their concession stand near our showers will offer nachos, walking tacos, grilled chicken sandwiches, popcorn, candy bars/candy, slushies, giant freeze pops, bananas, fresh fruit cups, chocolate milk, baked goods, and protein balls.
Indoor sleeping today--a longish block to the north at Redeemer Lutheran Church, open at noon, baggage assistance from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Full at present.
Bike Tech, a full-service bike shop, will be in camp by 4:00 PM.
5:00-7:00 PM. Pork Belly Optional Supper, menu below

5:30 - 8 PM, David Zollo and the Body Electric on Pork Stage during our supper. These guys are no stranger to the RAGBRAI main stage, and we're lucky to have their talents in camp with us all the way from the Iowa City area.

Monday's Menu

from the Estherville Elks Club:

???? Roast Beef w/ Au Jus,

???? Oven-Roasted Baby Red Potatoes

w/ dipping Sauce (Tizeki or Cheese)

???? Apple Cider Roasted Carrots

???? Tossed Salad w/ dressings

???? Dinner Roll w/ cinnamon butter

???? Watermelon slice

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The Meatless Entree is grilled ground Impossible Burger glazed w/sweet bourbon sauce on a bed of rice served w/carrots, red onions, bell peppers, zucchini, seasoned w/smoked paprika, ginger, garlic, cumin, chili powder & other spices
GF folks will sub GF bread for the dinner roll.

7:30 to 8:15, Sunset Yoga with Gracie
Showers until 8:00 PM.
BELOW, we may see our old friends, Brently and Marybeth today!

Tuesday morning breakfast offered in the Park Shelter from HyVee, 4:30 to 7:00 AM, fuel up for a long day in the saddle!

Tuesday, July 22

Historic Hospitality

in Forest City!

73.9 miles, 1338 feet of climb

~~Tuesday at a Glance~~

Pork Belly Ventures is a guest of the Winnebago Historical Society, and we occupy Heritage Park, a historic village, home to many preserved buildings, log cabins, and a number of interesting museums.
All-Day Food Vending from these three food trucks...
Janey's Heart Attack, serving Burgers, brats, smoked pork, tenderloin, etc.
Tono's Tacos, menu below!
B-Lo Zero snowcones and donuts!
We expect to find old-fashioned hand-turned ice cream and baked goods on site, too!
Indoor sleeping today--reserved in advance--in several venues around the park. We marked the RV storage building on our map, and you can come to our front desk (the COB) to find the other indoor sleeping locations.
1:00 PM, Our Early-Finish Shuttle departs Bancroft, bringing riders to Forest City by about 2:00 PM! Must be pre-reserved.
Check the board, please, for our deadline for turning in your Dirty Duds for the Pork Belly Mid-Week Laundry Service!

Our Midweek Enter Shuttle arrives around 4:30 PM. Welcome, Last-Half Riders!
Our Midweek Exit Shuttle departs camp at 5:00 PM. Farewell, First-Half Riders!
6:00-8:00 PM. Pork Belly Optional Supper from our hosts at Heritage Park! Menu below.
6:00 PM, Bike Tech, a full-service bike shop in camp!
6:00 PM, Vinyl Five from Ames on Pork Stage during our supper.

Tuesday's Menu

from Our Hosts at Heritage Park:

???? Smoked ham steak,

???? Herb-roasted potatoes,

???? Locally-grown sweet corn on the cob,

???? Green salad and choice of dressing,

???? Dinner roll & butter

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The Meatless Entree is a four-bean salad in place of the ham steak.
GF folks may substitute GF bread for the dinner roll.

6:30ish, A late visit from JustGoBike Podcast--those intrepid reporters, Kathy "Murph" Murphy and Andrea "AP" Parrott! They'll wander and interview Porkers, willy nilly! They make everything fun!
7:30 to 8:15, Pork Yoga with Victoria, subbing for Gracie
Showers until 8:00 PM.

Wednesday morning breakfast in the Steel Wheel Cafe, near our Coffee Trailer from 4:30 to 7:00--Egg casserole plus your favorite Grab-and-Go Breakfast items before you set off for your 69-mile Wednesday!

Wednesday, July 23

A River Runs Through It

in Iowa Falls!

69.8 miles, 1420 feet of climb

~Wednesday at a Glance~~

We find ourselves in our old stomping grounds at Rock Run Elementary School in Iowa Falls!
All-Day Food Vending from Julie's Flour House, offering BBQ Pork Sandwich, baked beans, chips, other salad, meatless and GF foods, amazing desserts!
About 4:00 PM, we hope clean laundry is back in camp and ready to claim! (This is an estimate--please be patient!)
Our Midweek Exit Shuttle departs camp at 4:30 PM. Farewell, Friends!
No Bike Tech Today, but you can see the faithful PBV bike mechanics!
6:00-8:00 PM. Pork Belly Included Supper, menu below.
6:00-8:30 PM, back by popular demand, Bad Friends from Des Moines on Pork Stage during our included supper. Get up and dance!

Wednesday's Menu

from Westside Restaurant:

???? Penne pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs,

???? Garlic roasted corn,

???? Green salad with dressings

???? Dinner roll and butter,

???? Large watermelon wedge

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The Meatless option includes roasted brussels sprouts in place of the meatballs
GF substitution of the pasta and double serving of corn in exchange for the roll, for all who registered as GF.

7:30 to 8:15, Sunset Yoga with Gracie.
Showers until 8:00 PM.

Thursday morning Breakfast from Julie's Flour House, 4:30 to 7:00 AM: Breakfast burritos, biscuits & gravy, bagels, cinnamon & caramel rolls, bananas, chocolate milk, and heck, maybe more.

Thursday, July 24

Nice & Easy

in Cedar Falls!

50 miles, 1270 feet of climb

~~Thursday at a Glance~~

You'll find us in a corner of Gateway Park called Police Officer's Park, along Lincoln Street. We are near the main campground, not far from the downtown festivities.
All-Day Food Vending from a local favorite coffee house and restaurant, Cottonwood Canyon. They'll be serving Stir Fry to start, and when their trailer arrives after being on the route in Aplington for the day, they will add gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, iced coffee drinks, and smoothies.
2:00 PM, Bike Tech, a full-service bike shop in camp!

Indoor sleeping at Cedar Falls Community Theater, above, is full. Ride the town shuttle or watch our board for the time when our crew can help move your baggage.
6:00-8:00 PM. Pork Belly Optional Supper, menu below!
6:00-8:00 On Pork Stage, Decoy!

Thursday's Menu

from Blue Barn BBQ:

?? Wood-fired chicken

?? Pork belly burnt ends,

?? Smoked cheddar and chive twice-baked potato,

?? Pickled Jicama Slaw,

?? Whole wheat dinner roll

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The Meatless option includes Bell Pepper stuffed with Brown Rice, Quinoa, Black Beans, Pico de Gallo, Sweet Corn Salsa, and Smoked Cheddar Cheese, w/Alabama White Sauce on the side
GF substitution of the cornbread for the dinner roll, for all who registered as GF.

7:30 to 8:15, Yoga with Gracie.
Showers until 8:00 PM.

Friday morning breakfast from Cottonwood Canyon, 4:30 to 7:00 AM: Breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, scones, fruit, coffee drinks

Friday, July 25

Aloha Friday

in Oelwein

38.4 miles, 1147 feet of climb

~~Friday at a Glance~~

The spacious and lovely grounds of Wings Park Elementary School!
After your shower, please join us and don your Aloha Attire!
All-Day Food Vending in two places...
Lunch inside the school includes burgers and hot dogs, Uncrustables (PB&J), pasta salad, chips, and something sweet
The Snack Cart outside will offer chips, candy bars, Uncrustables (PB&J), pickles, trail mix, and fruit.
Indoor Sleeping in the school facility--a few places may be available on the day if you don't want to set up your tent one last time!
6:00 PM, our included Farewell Supper, menu below.
6:00 PM, On Pork Stage, Saucy Jack, all the way from Kansas City!

Friday's Menu,

Our Included Farewell Supper

from Miller Barbecue:

???? Pulled pork sandwich,

???? Smoked baked beans,

???? Cheesy hashbrowns,

???? Green cabbage coleslaw w/shredded carrots,

???? A Cookie

Accommodation for dietary restrictions:

The Meatless version is a grilled portobello mushroom cap, tomato, arugula, and aioli on a bun, a baked potato, meatless baked beans, a vegan slaw.
GF version is Pulled Pork Sandwich w/GF bread, GF beans, and GF cheesy potatoes, and jello for dessert

7:00 PM, Bike Tech, a full-service bike shop in camp!
7:30 to 8:15, Sunset Yoga with Gracie.
Showers until 8:00 PM.

Saturday morning breakfast from the Oelwein Schools: Breakfast burritos (limited), yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, pastries or donuts, instant oatmeal, bananas, and any leftovers from the snack cart. It's a great idea to get something in your stomach before your 62-mile final hilly ride to the river!

Saturday, July 26

The Wide Mississippi

in Guttenberg

61.6 miles, 2340 feet of climb

Only two flat miles further to our location

~~Saturday at a Glance~~

Our staging area is located at Lakeside Ballroom, a couple flat miles north of the Guttenberg dip site.
Please leave Oelwein with a plan to arrive in Guttenberg in plenty of time to keep your schedule and make your shuttle departure! Plan this day.
In the context of RAGBRAI, this is a bit longer last day at 62 miles. The hills will be significant, as well. Stop to hydrate, to eat, and to rest your legs, but stay steady on your bike, and keep your schedule in mind.
Be sure to read "Last Day of RAGBRAI" in your June Letter!
The first-ever PBV Early-Finish Shuttle to operate on the last day of RAGBRAI will depart Edgewood at 10:45 AM, arriving in our Guttenberg staging area well before noon, barring traffic slow-downs.
When you arrive in our staging area, come to our Front Desk if you need direction. We can point you to where all bags can be claimed, where the bike trailers are being loaded for three different airport shuttles, and more!
Buenie Bottoms is our outdoor food vendor, a food truck offering Cheeseburgers, Chicken Strips, BLT Wrap, BBQ Pork Sandwich, Super Beef Nachos, French Fries, Cheese Curds, and cold beverages.
Lakeside Ballroom, a bar and restaurant, will also be open today, with a full bar selection and offering up Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Hot Dogs, BBQ Pulled Pork, Italian Sausage, Brats, Fries, Onion Rings, Mozzarella Sticks, and Cheese Curds!
We do not offer phone charging or e-bike battery charging on the last day in Guttenberg.
Showers operate until 2:00 PM

SHUTTLE DEPARTURE TIMES

Our shuttle to Quad Cities airport (not to a hotel), departs at 1:00 and 2:30 PM.
Our shuttle to our Omaha airport hotel (the Candlewood Suites) departs at 3:00 PM. (five coaches)
The shuttle to a Des Moines airport hotel (the Holiday Inn) departs at 3:15 PM. (three coaches)
We will have your names on your rosters, so please come and ask us to check you off the list as "arrived" when you get to Lakeside in Guttenberg.

Bike shipping will close at 5:00 PM.
After 5:00 PM, any unclaimed baggage will not be supervised.

The last day is hectic, friends, and although we hope to say goodbye, we understand if you're in a hurry! We'll be reaching out by email shortly after the end of Our Week in the Corn!

Typical Hours of Operation

Front Desk-Info/Merch/Cold Beverages: noon to 8:00 PM.
Morning Coffee and Local Breakfast Vendors: 4:45 to 7:00 AM.
Pork Showers: Open around noon, close at 8:00 PM, except for Saturday in Guttenberg, when we close at 2:00 PM.
All-Day Food Vendors: please check the board for open times. They usually stay open until dark.
Indoor Sleeping Venues: please check the board for open times.
Evening Meals: Depending on the length of your cycling day, we start at 5:00 or 6:00 PM and serve for two hours.
Live Music: usually 5:30 or 6:00 to 8 or 8:30 PM, during dinner.
Lemonade: 2:00 PM through dinner.
Charging Trailers for your phones and devices: trailers open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, locked up overnight, but still charging.
E-Bike Battery Charging on the front desk (Roll With It) trailer: 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM (crew members sleep on this trailer).
E-Bike Battery Charging at our open-air charging area: 1:00 to 10:00 PM.
Shower Thingy: from noon, overnight, and until 7:00 PM.
PBV Bike Mechanics: about 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Full Service Bike Shop in Camp: changes from day to day. See our app or the boards each day!
Massage Therapy: about 1:00 PM to about 10:00 PM Check for openings at the massage tent.
SAG Sign-up: 6:00 to 7:00 AM, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and 6:00 to 8:00 PM--on our Pass the Corn trailer (not the front desk).
Pork Yoga, 7:30 to 8:15 PM nightly.

Crew Hours of Operation

As we mentioned in our June Letter, please never wake a sleeping crew member. If they're sleeping, they need their rest. We all work long hours and different hours, and there are very few situations that qualify as a true emergency that requires waking our crew.

Whew! That's the sum of our planning for the most part, friends!

Please be reminded one last time to consult your JUNE LETTER on the details of our shuttles, the Week with PBV, and the Last Day of RAGBRAI.

In case you missed it, we published RWGPS files (the link to join our account), your PBV Overnight Town Maps, your link to the daily RAGBRAI route maps, and the maps that show locations of our Early-Finish Shuttles--right HERE.

There could be a last-minute update, we suppose, so please stay tuned. We hope you have an open duffel bag on your bedroom floor!

Your friends,

Tammy and Pete

Pork Belly Ventures LLC

Tammy: 808-375-8921 c, tammy@pkbelly.com

Pete: 402-681-2613 c, pete@pkbelly.com