Iowa's Great Bike Ride

Last week was RAGBRAI week in the state of Iowa.

What's RAGBRAI you ask?

It is the....

Register's
Annual
Great
Bike
Ride
Across
Iowa

In 1973, two writer's for the Des Moines Register decided to bike ride across the state of Iowa and write about their experiences and invited the public to join them.  That summer, about 300 people rode from Sioux City to Davenport over 6 days.

Riders dip their back tires in the Missouri River
at the start of RAGBRAI.

There wasn't a lot of lead time for the first ride and a lot of readers wanted to do it but weren't able to. So, the Register planned a second ride for the following year and a tradition was born.

Each Spring the Register announces the route for the ride which takes place over a week late July. In addition to the starting and ending cities, 6 cities are selected as "overnight" stops, where riders camp for the night. It is a big deal for a town to be chosen as an overnight location.

Why you ask?

No, seriously, ask "why?"

An overnight stop for riders. 

RAGBRAI is the oldest and, by far, the LARGEST touring bike event in the world. A touring event is one in which the rider just ride, no racing involved.

So each year, upwards of 10,000 people hop on their bikes and eat, drink and ride across the state.

Yes, I said "eat and drink". RAGBRAI is a rolling party. Iowans along the route will set up stands to sell just about any type of food - especially drinks and pies. And let's just say that bars along the route do VERY well.

RAGBRAI riders come from all over the world, and many rider as part of clubs or teams.  Teams create a social and support system for the riders. Teams will have a support vehicle - school bus or RV - that will carry supplies for the team's riders.

Riders will either camp in the overnight town, or find "lodging" with locals.

It's a huge event in the state and there seems to be no slowing down for it.

What I love about it is that anyone can do it - from the young to the old.

And I kinda, really wanna do it.

So come November, I'm going to apply for the RAGBRAI lottery and hope to win a wristband for the 2015 ride.  I also might be able to hook up with a team (a MUCH better option) and score a slot that way.

I've lived in Iowa for 19 years. It's time to do RAGBRAI!

I've included a few more photos just for fun. :-)

Heading out in the morning.

Oh and the occasional hot guy in spandex. :-)

This is just a cool photo. 

Ending the ride by dipping front tires
in the Mississippi.