Get a piece of Hollywood on RAGBRAI as the route passes through these Iowa movie towns

This year’s RAGBRAI route may not be the Walk of Fame — but it will take on some Hollywood flavor in an Iowa sort of way.

Cyclists will roll through Greenfield and Winterset, both having been the settings of major Hollywood movies. And if those cinematic ties weren’t enough, the route also goes through the birth town of one of Tinseltown’s biggest stars of all.

Greenfield became the fictional town of Eagle Rock for the 1971 release of "Cold Turkey." The rollicking star-studded comedy, which was written, directed and produced by the legendary Norman Lear, featured Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart, Jean Stapleton and a cast of other well-known stars of the time.

While passing through the town square in Greenfield on Tuesday, riders can take a peek at the Norman Lear Theater at the Warren Cultural Center, a tribute to the famed director/producer who would go on to create such classic television series as "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons" and "Maude."

It was "Cold Turkey" that launched Lear’s long and successful career and many of the extras used in the movie were local residents of Greenfield.

Winterset, Tuesday's overnight town, would become the setting of "Bridges of Madison County" 24 years later, starring Hollywood legends Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The movie was based off the hugely successful book written by Iowan Robert James Waller.

Two of the covered bridges featured in the popular film are on this year’s RAGBRAI route.

Topping off the Hollywood flavor is no less than The Duke himself, John Wayne. Winterset is the birthplace of the famous actor, born Marion Morrison, and features the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum.

Riders can become stars of their own on Day 6, Friday, by recreating one of the most famous and recognizable artworks in the world when the ride passes through Eldon.

Eldon features the Carpenter Gothic home made famous by artist Grant Wood in the world-renowned 1930 painting, "American Gothic," of an overall-wearing, pitchfork-holding farmer standing next to his equally stoic daughter.

The historic structure will offer riders the opportunity to create their own version of "American Gothic" as they pass through.

Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.