RAGBRAI - Annual Challenge That's Grown to Ten Thousand Strong

What does the Hawkeye state and Barenaked Ladies have in common? RAGBRAI. The 37^th annual Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The Barenaked Ladies will cap off an outdoor concert full of festivities that mark the beginning of the 472 mile ride across Iowa which begins at the Missouri River on the western border and ends on the eastern border and the great Mississippi River. Scores of bike enthusiasts will meet in Council Bluffs to begin their challenging trek across our state. This year's event begins July 19 and ends a week later in Burlington on the 25^th with riders completing the grueling ride with a traditional dipping of the front bike wheel in Ol' Man River.

What is RAGBRAI?

The Des Moines Register sponsored the first ride in 1973. It began as a challenge between two Register staffers, John Karras who was the paper's feature writer/copy editor and Don Kaul who wrote a column "Over the Coffee" for the Register. John suggested Don take a jaunt across Iowa and write his column based on the people and places he met and saw along a predesignated route across the state. Don agreed, but only if John joined him on the journey. It's always more fun when you have company. Avid bike enthusiasts, both accepted each other's challenge, the Register agreed to sponsor them and with a hastily formed group of around 300 to 500 riders, they hit the trail and RAGBRAI was born. That first year, only 114 riders rode the entire distance from Sioux City to Davenport. Today, 8,500 participants are chosen by a lottery system, but there can be upwards to 10,000 bikers on any one day. Locals will join in and people can pay an entry fee for one day of riding.

Why use a lottery system for RAGBRAI?

The Iowa State Patrol suggested putting a cap on the number of cyclists years ago due to safety and traffic concerns as well as insurance costs. Bikers use the same main roads cars travel on from town to town. Some back roads can be used, but not all towns have access to secondary paved roads. The total number of participants can be as high as 13,000 and scores of support vehicles and motor homes follow the cyclists Anyone who wants to ride will probably not be turned away, however, using the lottery system has kept in check an over whelming number of riders and support vehicles on our roads. The jaunt across Iowa has become one of the most popular bike events in the country.

When is RAGBRAI?

The great bike ride across Iowa is always held the last full week of July. It's recognized as the oldest, longest and largest bike ride in the world. Considered to be a touring ride, this event alternates the route each year. Just to keep bikers on their toes. There are three different paths chosen. Across the northern part, the middle section and the southern route. This year will take riders along the southern part of Iowa which is considered to be less hilly than the northern or middle route. Although, southern Iowa has plenty of hills to make even the hardest rider wonder why the Hawkeye state is considered to be flat.

RAGBRAI and Iowa summers.

A word of caution for any who accepts this challenge. Train for this event. Riding a bicycle across our state in late July is no picnic and people need to be prepared for high temperatures and humidity. The heat index can reach as high as 105 to 120 degrees and nights don't always provide relief from the sticky heat. An Iowa summer can be punishing. A few years have been perfect, with daytime highs only in the upper 70's, but summers in July and August aren't for the faint of heart. Typical highs hit 90 degrees or higher in July and night time temps can fall to 50 degrees or stay in the high 70's and low 80's. Severe storms can also pop up with not a lot of notice, day or night.

Iowans welcome RAGBRAI riders from all 50 states and around the world.

There is more to Iowa than just cornfields. Each year's itinerary gives a unique view of our proud mid western roots. The average daily jaunt is 68 miles. The Hawkeye state takes it's role as host seriously and greet riders with roadside water stands, fruit stands and good old fashion Iowa hospitality. People with welcome signs line the streets as bikes begin to roll into towns. Planned stops for the night in cities along the circuit add to the adventure as selected communities host the cyclists with barbecues, beer gardens, food buffets and lots of homemade desserts. Homes are opened up to weary trekkers who made arrangements for spare rooms. Many participants pitch tents in designated yards and parks. Local folk offer hot showers and home cooked meals and friendships are forged as riders use this event to visit friends made in earlier RAGBRAIs.

Last year, among the thousands of people who came to Iowa to participate in our little bike ride, we were honored with Lance Armstrong and his professional team, LiveStrong, who rode to promote cancer research.

For more information about how to enter RAGBRAI, go to their official website or visit here for complete instructions on what is needed, what is provided and everything you will need to know about the great bike tour across Iowa. It's quiet impressive to watch as thousands of bikers pedal through your town. Bikers as far as the eye can see. An ocean of bobbing helmets, sunglasses sliding down sweating noses, huffing and puffing, faces red from too much sun and heat. People ask, why would anyone want to do this? Simple. It's RAGBRAI. The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

Wade H. Nelson, RAGBRAI Guide for Virgins, wadenelson.com

RAGBRAI, ragbrai.org

What is RAGBRAI, ragbrai.org