With RAGBRAI just days away, here's everything to know from the route to registration
The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will celebrate 50 years with what is expected to be record registration and quite a few nods to the history of the ride.
Here’s everything you need to know about the week-long cycling extravaganza.
What is RAGBRAI?
It may be hyperbole, but Iowans like to boast that RAGBRAI is the world's largest annual mobile party. Each summer, cyclists set out from a point on or near the Missouri River in western Iowa and ride seven day-long routes to their destination on the Mississippi River. The route changes from year to year, so almost all of Iowa has participated at one point or another.
More: He's been on every single RAGBRAI – and probably fixed your bike tires, too
What does RAGBRAI stand for?
RAGBRAI stands for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
How did RAGBRAI begin?
John Karras, a copy editor and features writer for the Des Moines Register, and Donald Kaul, the paper’s Washington columnist, hatched the plan for a cross-state bicycle ride and invited their readers along. When they set out from Sioux City on Aug. 26, 1973, for the first day's ride to Storm Lake, a few hundred people joined them. They rode again in 1974 with a growing entourage, and in January 1975, Kaul announced in a short item in the Register that the ride had gained an official name for its planned third edition: the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
Today, RAGBRAI is its own organization within Gannett Co., the Register's owner. A dedicated year-round staff organizes the event, which typically draws tens of thousands of participants from across the nation and around the world, though this year, organizers are saying the number of riders could break all records.
More: Brush up on your RAGBRAI history as the ride across Iowa marks its 50th year
What is the RAGBRAI 2023 route for RAGBRAI in 2023?
This year’s scenic tour of Iowa pays homage to the original bike ride in 1973. Here are the much-anticipated dates and starting, ending and overnight towns for this year’s route:
Sunday, July 23 ― Sioux City to Storm Lake.
Monday, July 24 ― Storm Lake to Carroll.
Tuesday, July 25 ― Carroll to Ames.
Wednesday, July 26 ― Ames to Des Moines.
Thursday, July 27 ― Des Moines to Tama-Toledo.
Friday, July 28 ― Tama-Toledo to Coralville.
Saturday, July 29 ― Coralville to Davenport.
More: What to know about the RAGBRAI L starting, ending and overnight towns
How are the towns chosen?
The organizers choose towns from eager applicants across the state. Representatives of the chosen towns celebrated during a route announcement party Jan. 28.
During the ride, each town vies to outdo the others with nightly parties, replete with bands, food vendors and, of course, beer.
Riders can bed down for the night at campgrounds and parks. Many rent space in residents' home or yards, with indoor bathroom privileges. Some stay in motor homes driven by supportive friends or relatives. And, of course, any hotel rooms are sold out months in advance.
What are meeting or meet-up towns?
They are selected towns about midway on each day's route where those separated from companions while riding can regroup; those who are too tired to continue can catch a ride on a RAGBRAI support-and-gear “SAG wagon”; and members of teams or others with support drivers can meet them. All can enjoy the offerings of vendors and local restaurants, as well as entertainment.
What are pass-through towns?
Towns, some with just a handful of inhabitants, that the ride passes through. The residents often gather to cheer on the riders, and the enterprising among them sell snacks and beverages — or just offer a drink from a garden hose. Pass-through and meeting towns will be announced at a later date.
What is the longest day’s ride this year?
While this year’s route does not include a mandatory 100-plus mile century ride, riders should still expect quite a few days of heavy bicycling. The longest ride this year will be 83 miles from Carroll to Ames, though there will be two additional days exceeding the 80-mile mark. There will be an optional century loop on Day 3 for those who want to log a 100-mile day.
More: RAGBRAI 50th anniversary edition hews closely to original route, including stop in Des Moines
What is the shortest day's ride this year?
The shortest ride will be just 50 miles on July 26 from Ames to Des Moines.
Which day will have the most elevation gain?
Keep your derailleur on low July 27, when riders will gain 3,652 feet of elevation over the course of the day. But don’t think you’re off the hook the rest of the week ― Sunday’s ride will require riders to climb 3,504 feet, and on Friday riders will gain 3,276 feet.
What are some major highlights on the RAGBRAI route?
For the 50th anniversary ride, they’re too numerous to list. But expect more of everything, from church lady pie, grilled pork chops and craft beer to big-name bands, spontaneous dancing, goat yoga and just plain fun.
Will RAGBRAI break a Guinness World Record?
This year’s organizers will not use the golden anniversary as an opportunity to break the Guinness World Record for the largest single-day “parade of bicycles.” The record ride would have run from Ames to Des Moines on July 26.
The last time RAGBRAI came to the capital city, in 2013, an estimated 32,000 people rode from Perry to Des Moines, and the last time it came to the Des Moines metro, in 2019, there were 40,000 riders on the road from Winterset to Indianola. RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen estimates 100,000 people could ride this year’s Day 4 route from Ames to Des Moines, shattering the June 11, 2000, record set when 48,615 people rode an 18.2-mile circuit around the city of Udine, Italy.
How do I register for RAGBRAI 2023?
Riders can register online on the RAGBRAI website, ragbrai.com. Choose "RAGBRAI L registration" under the header titled "The Ride.”
What does registration cover?
Generally, registration covers the costs of putting together the route and holding the event. Registered riders also can depend on ambulance and paramedic services in case of accidents, as well as SAG wagon rides, and they get discounts and free commemorative patches.
Who can register?
Last year, RAGBRAI ended its long-held registration lottery, which limited weeklong passes to about 12,000 riders. Registration is still capped but now is on a first-come, first-served basis. Phippen would not disclose the cap, but said RAGBRAI works with the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Transportation to ensure all roads on the route can handle the number of riders expected.
More: 'Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary' releases trailer; premiere coming in May
How much does it cost to ride RAGBRAI?
Prices increase as the ride draws nearer, with a May 15 final deadline. Until Feb. 28, registration costs:
$200 for weeklong riders.
$40 for weeklong non-riders.
$45 for daily riders.
From March 1 to April 14, registration costs:
$225 for weeklong riders.
$45 for weeklong non-riders.
$50 for daily riders.
From April 15 to May 15, it’s:
$250 for weeklong riders.
$50 for weeklong non-riders.
$60 for daily riders.
For the first time, weeklong-rider wristbands will be available at the RAGBRAI Bike Expo to be held in starting town Sioux City on July 22, the day before the ride starts ― commonly known as "Day 0." In the past, only non-rider wristbands and single-day wristbands could be bought at the expo.
Costs for passes bought at the July 22 bike expo in Sioux City are:
$300 for weeklong riders.
$50 for weeklong non-riders.
$70 for daily riders.
Is RAGBRAI a race?
Call it one and you'll get the side-eye from many Iowans. Though some of the best riders may engage in friendly competition, and Lance Armstrong has been known to make an appearance, RAGBRAI is all about riding at whatever pace makes sense to you through the cities, towns and countryside of Iowa, meeting people along the way and, above all, having the time of your life.
Staff writers Philip Joens and Sarah LeBlanc contributed to this article. Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register (and she covers RAGBRAI, too!). Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at@francescablock3.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: RAGBRAI 2023 route, towns, and what to know about the 50th year ride
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