RAGBRAI 50th anniversary route announced
RAGBRAI's 2023 route was announced on Saturday night, and cyclists in Iowa and beyond are making plans for the ride.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, there will be a stop in Des Moines.
This will be the first time in 10 years that Iowa's capital city is on the map.
Organizers said participants were excited to hear the announcement.
"I think it's one of those things where, if you ever thought about RAGBRAI as a bucket list, you're going to come," RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen said. "It was very well received."
This year's ride will take place from July 22 to July 29.
The ride will start in Sioux City and then go east to Storm Lake, Carroll, Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville and will end in Davenport.
Those who have ridden RAGBRAI before say it's miles and miles of fun.
"We're really excited," Scott Matter said.
Matter is a mentor with Dream Team Des Moines, a non-profit aimed at getting kids to ride bikes.
The group trains for five months every year to ride in RAGBRAI.
This year's route will be more challenging than last, but Matter said he knows the team will be ready.
"This is one of the longest and one of the hilliest RAGBRAIs ever in the history of the ride and we want to make sure all of our kids are ready, and of course, they will be," Matter said.
Dream Team Des Moines member Marcus Castio said it takes a "strong mentality" to keep going, but it is worth it. "Because we're all just biking on a trail and just having a good time," Castio said.
Beyond the metro, RAGBRAI will help put a spotlight on other small communities.
"And that's the goal for RAGBRAI is, you know, how much can we truly impact these communities when the riders roll through?" Phippen said.
Watch: Des Moines Dream Team participates in RAGBRAI ride to Emmetsburg
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