🚴‍♂️ Daily Mileage & Overnight Towns
This year’s ride included overnights in the following cities.
- Day 1 – Sunday, July 20: Orange City → Milford — 70.1 miles (overnight in Milford)
- Day 2 – Monday, July 21: Milford → Estherville — 44.6 miles (overnight in Estherville)
- Day 3 – Tuesday, July 22: Estherville → Forest City — 74.1 miles (overnight in Forest City)
- Day 4 – Wednesday, July 23: Forest City → Iowa Falls — 68.3 miles (overnight in Iowa Falls)
- Day 5 – Thursday, July 24: Iowa Falls → Cedar Falls — 49.5 miles (overnight in Cedar Falls)
- Day 6 – Friday, July 25: Cedar Falls → Oelwein — 38.2 miles (overnight in Oelwein)
- Day 7 – Saturday, July 26: Oelwein → Guttenberg — 61.2 miles (finish in Guttenberg) Total distance: ~406 miles across the week
đź“– A Brief History of RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI — the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa — held its first event in 1973, when Des Moines Register writers John Karras and Donald Kaul rode from Sioux City to Davenport and invited readers to join. It became an annual tradition, with RAGBRAI III in 1975 introducing the iconic Roman numerals naming system and attracting more newcomers. Over decades, it has grown to become the largest organized bicycle touring event in the world, with riders dipping their front wheels in the Mississippi River at the end—and dipping rear wheels in the Missouri at the start.
Over the years, the seven-day route has averaged roughly 468 miles total, or about 67 miles a day, with daily stops in 6 different overnight towns plus start and finish points . By 2025, RAGBRAI had traversed over 800 communities across Iowa, and the total miles ridden by participants since 1973 surpassed 23,000 .
📌 Why RAGBRAI LII Was Unique
- Rich small‑town flavor: From Orange City’s Dutch heritage to Guttenberg’s riverfront charm, each overnight stop had its own character and friendly crowds.
- Two route options: RAGBRAI LII offered a direct route between overnight towns and an alternate path through “meeting towns”—giving riders flexibility on rest stops and scenic detours .
- Crossing into Minnesota: Day 2 included about 15 miles crossing briefly into Minnesota, adding an extra state‑crossing to the journey .
- Moderate climbing: For a seven‑day tour, 10,487 feet of total elevation gain balanced well with the overall 406 miles .
✨ Our Story & Highlights
From dawn departures beneath wide Iowa skies to evening gatherings in small‑town parks, every day was full of the unexpected—like roadside corn stands, friendly chatter with fellow riders, music in town squares, and heart‑warming community support. Milford welcomed us as a first‑time overnight host, setting the tone for a week full of new firsts and warm hospitality .
Forest City’s rolling farmland scenery was breathtaking, while Cedar Falls offered a vibrant college‑town energy that lifted spirits on a shorter ride day. Our final leg brought us through charming Oelwein before reaching the Mississippi in Guttenberg—where we dipped our front tires in the river, triumphant, surrounded by cheers and music.
🚵‍♀️ Why We’ll Never Forget It
- Community spirit: Iowa towns rally to support riders with food vendors, live music, and encouragement on the road.
- Shared adventure: Tens of thousands of riders from across the globe converge, but each person’s journey feels deeply personal.
- Lifetime memories: From the sunrise rides to corn‑on‑the‑cob stands and impromptu performances, the experience stays with you forever.
