Look Out Iowa, Ragbrai is Rolling Through Your Town!

If you have never done Ragbrai, you may want to consider registering for this intense ride across the state of Iowa.

Riding across the state of Iowa may not seem like much of a challenge, after all, there are no hills in Iowa right?

Ragbrai stands for The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the ride and it is the longest, largest, and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world. The event is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

Ragbrai is always the last full week in July, which typically means hot weather and a sticky ride through the state.

This year, the ride is from July 22-28, which means that there will be plenty of events across the state of Iowa for riders to enjoy. The fee for riders is $125 for the full week, and non riders pay $35. Participants may also choose to participate for one day of the ride by paying $25 dollars per day. There is also a limit of three days per person if they are choosing the daily option.

The Ragbrai route varies each year, but it always starts at the Missouri River and ends at the Mississippi River. The towns that Ragbrai rolls through are carefully selected and many towns look forward to the riders rolling through the area.

The route is officially announced at the end of January the year of the ride.

The ride totals 472 miles and the daily mileage is approximately 68 miles. There is also an optional loop on one day for cyclists who want to go the extra mile, or hundred.

Registration for Ragbrai begins in November of each year for the upcoming summer.

The deadline for registering is the first of April the year of the ride. The ride is limited to 8,500 riders for the whole week and 1,500 for the daily riders.

The ride is always from west to east because of headwinds. Weather statistics show that the last week in July, headwinds are typically moving from the southwest. It is also better for riders to avoid riding into the mid afternoon sun. With the sunset behind them, riders are typically able to keep going longer than if it were blazing down on them in the late afternoon when they are the most tired.

The ride from west to east also means riders will get to ride into the sunrise each morning.

The towns selected for the route are primarily selected on the basis of safety first. Coordinators look for towns that will be able to support 10,000 riders.

The profits of RAGBRAI are first given to cover expenses for the ride, and are then given to nonprofit Iowa programs and organizations. Organizations that focus on families and Children , Literacy and Community Enrichment tend to be the target for proceed donations.

Another special feature of RAGBRAI is the dream team. The team is made up of disadvantaged youth and is focused on assisting the youth to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body, and a productive approach to life's challenges.

The Dream Team is selected of individuals between 13 and 18 years of age who would benefit from the experience. Mentors are typically a part of the selection process when it comes to making up the Dream Team.

Dream Team Members ride with adult mentors. The mentors provide consistent support for the youth to gain confidence needed in order to complete the ride.

The Dream Team relies on donations from businesses, bike clubs, charitable groups and generous individuals.

For more information on the history of Ragbrai, as well as where it will be cruising through, visit www.ragbrai.org.