Questions about RAGBRAI? Here’s what to know before the 2021 race
When the Registry’s great annual bike ride through Iowa starts on March Sunday, it will be two days until two years since the last edition of the ride ended in Keokuk. with tired but happy cyclists soaking their bike tires in Mississippi.
Never since a pair of Des Moines Register reporters cycled out of Sioux City during the first RAGBRAI nearly 48 years ago has there been so much time between rides.
Here is what you need to know RAGBRAI.
Q: What is RAGBRAI?
A: This might be hyperbole, but the Iowans like to brag that RAGBRAI is the world’s largest annual mobile party. Each summer, cyclists depart from a point on or near the Missouri River in western Iowa and cycle through seven day-long routes to their destination on the Mississippi River. The route changes from year to year, so almost everyone in Iowa has participated at one point or another.
Q: How did RAGBRAI start?
A: John Karras, editor and reporting editor for the Register, and Donald Kaul, columnist, put together a plan for a bike ride across the state and invited their readers. When they left Sioux City on August 26, 1973, for the first day’s drive 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 article in the Sunday edition of the Register that the ride had earned 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 owner of the registry, with a dedicated staff year round to organize an event that typically attracts some 16,000 runners from across the country and around the world. RAGBRAI is preparing to celebrate its 50 years, despite the sad asterisk of 2020, in 2022.
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Q: What happened to RAGBRAI 2020?
A: Like so many other major events during the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trip, scheduled for July 19 to 25, was canceled for public safety concerns. Organizers made the call on April 20 as it became clear that there would be no quick end to the spread of the disease. RAGBRAI also canceled a three-day Great Iowa Fall Ride that was scheduled for October 2-4.
Q: Which route will RAGBRAI follow this year?
A: The same one planned for 2020, with two exceptions: Sac City will replace Storm Lake as the first Night Town, and DeWitt will replace Maquoketa as the last. The ride begins July 25 at Le Mars in far northwest Iowa and continues in day-long increments to Sac City, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Waterloo, Anamosa, and DeWitt. It ends on the seventh day, July 31, in the town of Clinton on the Mississippi River.
Q: How are the cities chosen?
A: The organizers choose the cities from among the enthusiastic candidates. Representatives of selected cities celebrate at a route announcement party in January (the 2021s were mostly distant) and along the way, competed to outdo each other with their nightly parties, packed with groups, with food vendors. and, of course, beer.
Riders can sleep overnight in the campgrounds. Many rent space in the residents’ backyard, with indoor bathroom privileges. Some stay in campervans driven by supportive friends or relatives. And, of course, all hotel rooms are sold out months in advance.
Q: What are Dating Cities?
A: Selected towns halfway through each day’s itinerary, where people separated from their companions while driving can regroup; those who are too tired to continue can take a ride on a stand-and-gear “Sag” cart; and all can take advantage of offers from local vendors and restaurants.
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Q: What are transit towns?
A: Cities, some with only a handful of inhabitants, that the route passes through. Residents often gather to cheer on the runners, and the more enterprising of them sell snacks and drinks – or just offer a drink from a garden hose.
Q: What is the longest day of hiking this year?
A: 84 miles on day one, July 26. But those who choose to do the optional Karras Loop on day five will go 110.8 miles.
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Q: What’s the shortest day of hiking this year?
A: 31.6 miles on the last day, July 31.
Q: What day will have the most elevation gain?
A: On day one, at 2,816 feet, but again those who hike the Karras Loop on day five will experience a climb of 3,894 feet.
Q: Is there anything new on the merry-go-round this year?
A: Two things: an extended gravel route on day three for those who want the full experience of rural Iowa’s highway system and the attraction director himself. Dieter Drake, a cycling racing veteran and hiking director, joined RAGBRAI in 2019, so this will be his first ride.
Q: How many people will be riding this year?
A: Officially, around 15,500 people are registered for the entire route, according to RAGBRAI. RAGBRAI will also sell day passes during the ride week for those who want to ride, but not the entire route.
Q: What does a pass offer to passengers?
A: Among other things, a seat on the aforementioned Sag wagons, discounts at vendors, baggage transport and a commemorative badge. The pass fee also supports such necessities as the Iowa State Patrol controlling traffic along the route, mobile bike repair services, and, perhaps most importantly, a place in one of the ambulances following the runners, if necessary.
Q: How much does RAGBRAI cost?
A: Prices differ depending on the type of registration. A one-week entry for a rider costs $ 175, a one-week entry without a rider costs $ 35, and a day pass costs $ 30 per day. Individuals can register for the spring hike as an individual or team rider.
Q: Is RAGBRAI a race?
A: Call it one and you’ll get the sidelong eye of many Iowans. While some of the best riders can compete in friendly competitions, and Lance Armstrong is known for making an appearance, RAGBRAI is all about riding at any pace that suits you through the towns, villages and countryside of Iowa. , meet people along the way and, most importantly, have fun.