r/ragbrai

RAGBRAI virgin here. thinking about doing the BRAG charter, anyone have experience with them?
First time doing this and I’m from Georgia so the BRAG group made sense since they bus out of Atlanta and handle all the logistics. Figured that’s probably smart for someone who has no idea what they’re doing lol.

Anyone ridden with them or have a better suggestion for a solo first-timer from the southeast? Don’t want to show up and immediately embarrass my entire state

Ok so I have a hard time talking to others I was married for 20 years we where home non social people. I am a empty nester and recent widow, I decided to do this as way to get out my shell but am worried I won't approach others during the ride. I am trying to think of ideas that will encourage others to talk and start conversation with me. I saw a lady that carried ducks and gave them away to people who did kind things. Anyone have ideas that i could do. Please be kind I know being an older person with low social skills is weird and is something I am working on. Thanks in advance for the ideas.

We live in Dubuque less than a mile from McAleece park. They just painted the hydrant out front white which means the route goes right past our house.

Our kids are 9 & 10 and I want this to be memorable for them. The year Ragbrai went by our house. What can we do to be hospitable? We have a large front yard with plenty of space to rest. My daughter frequently holds lemonade stands out there with her friends.

Is she allowed to have a lemonade stand during RAGBRAI, and if she does do cyclists typically stop at them? Thinking I could have bottles of cold water for her to hand out too. What have friendly folks in years past done that you remember?

Day	Date	Town Name	Distance from day's start town	Distance from previous town	Notes
Day 1	July 19	Onawa	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 1	July 19	Turin	7.6	7.6
Day 1	July 19	Soldier	18.3	10.7
Day 1	July 19	Dunlap	32.1	13.8	Meeting Town
Day 1	July 19	Earling	45.2	13.1
Day 1	July 19	Westphalia	50.8	5.6
Day 1	July 19	Harlan	59.3	8.5	End/Overnight Town
Day 2	July 20	Harlan	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 2	July 20	Elk Horn	21.2	21.2	20+mile haul
Day 2	July 20	Exira	30.8	9.6	Meeting Town
Day 2	July 20	Guthrie Center	56.3	25.5	End/Overnight Town, 25+mile haul
Day 3	July 21	Guthrie Center	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 3	July 21	Panora	8.1	8.1
Day 3	July 21	Yale	14.9	6.8
Day 3	July 21	Perry	32.2	17.3	Meeting Town, 15+ mile haul
Day 3	July 21	Ogden	50.6	18.4	2nd 15+m haul of the day
Day 3	July 21	Boone	60.6	10.0	End/Overnight Town
Day 4	July 22	Boone	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 4	July 22	Gilbert	17.8	17.8	15+ mile haul
Day 4	July 22	Nevada	36.0	18.2	Meeting Town, 2nd 15+m haul of the day
Day 4	July 22	Colo	43.3	7.3
Day 4	July 22	State Center	51.9	8.6
Day 4	July 22	Marshalltown	67.9	16.0	End/Overnight Town, long 15+m haul to end the day
Day 5	July 23	Marshalltown	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 5	July 23	Green Mountain	9.3	9.3
Day 5	July 23	Beaman	17.6	8.3
Day 5	July 23	Grundy Center	30.3	12.7
Day 5	July 23	Morrison	35.6	5.3
Day 5	July 23	Reinbeck	39.8	4.2	Meeting Town
Day 5	July 23	Washburn	62.8	23.0	Longest haul on longest day, mostly flat to downhill
Day 5	July 23	Gilbertville	65.5	2.7
Day 5	July 23	Jesup	77.6	12.1
Day 5	July 23	Independence	86.2	8.6	End/Overnight Town
Day 6	July 24	Independence	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 6	July 24	Winthrop	8.8	8.8
Day 6	July 24	Manchester	24.9	16.1	Meeting Town, 15+m haul
Day 6	July 24	Earlville	34.6	9.7
Day 6	July 24	Dyersville	42.5	7.9	End/Overnight Town
Day 7	July 25	Dyersville	0.0	0.0	Start Town
Day 7	July 25	Field of Dreams	5.3	5.3	Breakfast Stop
Day 7	July 25	Farley	11.5	6.2
Day 7	July 25	Epworth	15.5	4.0
Day 7	July 25	Centralia	21.0	5.5
Day 7	July 25	Dubuque	34.1	13.1	End of RAGBRAI

This will be our 1st RAGBRAI and my wife - God bless her - will be driving our 30 ft Class C between the towns. I've looked over the RAGBRAI site and there isn't a whole lot of info on there besides registered support vehicles will have a special pass. We have purchased that as well as the support person pass. I understand that there is no electrical hookups or water at the camping/support vehicle locations (besides showers). We can carry our water and have solar for power, but is there a specific location where they allocate sites for RVs? If so, is it 1st come 1st served? I'm just wondering where do they put all these support vehicles and how do we make sure my wife will be able to find a place to park the rig for the night. Looking forward to the ride myself as the rider, but I live by the saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life" so I want so calm her fears that she'll be looking around for a place to park. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. THANKS...

Hello, all! I have always wanted to do RAGBRAI but always found convenient excuses not to. This year I decided to stop waiting for the perfect time and sign up. My partner has been EXTREMELY supportive of me doing this and he has been very encouraging, but I am getting nervous the more I realize I'm a woman doing this alone. (Partner cannot join me because of work commitments that were set up before)

I have been training, riding for long stretches, and hitting my electrolytes. Last night I hit a wall of anxiety. I'm hoping that if I get a few questions answered (and maybe a touch of encouragement) I'll believe in myself again.

1. I'm doing this alone. Is this not a great idea for the first year? I have two friends doing different days later in the week, but the rest I'll be solo. This has caused a bit of anxiety for me.

2. I can comfortably ride 20-30 miles, but I know I need to really hit hills for the remainder of time. Any advice about pacing climbs or how to get through them or positioning for your body is VERY welcome. So.eone recommended I get off the saddle and stand while pedaling and I'm really struggling with that so far.

3. I'm going to get dropped off at expo by my partner. Does RAGBRAI take your bag the next morning then?

4. beating the heat while riding? I've been told that there are plenty of vendors to stop at while riding and you're not just stuck on the road for long stretches. Do you find this to be true? Any advice for not overheating very much appreciated!

Truly, any advice to an anxious newbie I'd be very grateful for. I've always been a casual bike rider, and now that it's approaching I'm getting nervous I'm too green to have made this commitment.

Virgin here doing it solo but having family support for the first 4 days. I am a stay at home dad so I do most of all my training early morning before wife goes to work. I was wondering if there will be other riders that leave super early 5-530am? I am not much into the party scene so I will be on my normal schedule and want to take off as early as possible. Anyone else as crazy as me or will I be alone? Also when they announce official route can I download the route to upload to my computer?

First time rider coming from Milwaukee!

I'd love to connect and chat if anyone is heading down from here!

Hello everyone!
Due to some unfortunate family circumstances (my father has cancer) my partner and I will be unable to attend RAGBRAI.

Selling two week long rider registrations at 250$ each
Or I will sell both for 400$

Please DM me if interested.

If there’s another site I can cross post this on to increase my chances of selling them please let me know.

Thanks and god bless- please treasure the time you have left with your loved ones. We never know how long we have.

Whot are the options for camping in Dubuque on the 25 th at the end of the ride,can I set up next to my car in the long term parking ?

First timer. I’ve been told the beer scene along the route is great and there is a “challenge” for drinking one craft beer on each stop to win a shirt, but haven’t been able to find anything official for it. Good Beer Cycling Club is listed under the Charters but the website shows 2025 and seems outdated with no information. What’s the deal and how hard is it to hydrate and beer-drate for the whole route?

To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, RAGBRAI introduced the "America 250 Double Loop" optional route for Day 5 (Thursday, July 23, 2026), which takes riders from Marshalltown to Independence. What are your thoughts? Are you planning on doing it?

On each day’s route there is one “Meeting Town” listed. What is the significance of this? TIA

Is anyone familiar with K45 (old hwy 74) between Sioux City and Onawa?

I am looking to ride back to the start after dropping off my rental car at the airport.

K45 looks like the way to go, I am just curious if anyone knows how rideable it is.

Family member is relocating to another state that week and I will no be longer available to participate. Purchased in December 2025, so $230+fees.

Hey everyone!

First, thanks for your help with my last question around being a first-time rider. I appreciate how supportive everyone here is. Second, I've been trying to gather little (and big) items I might need for the week and wanted to pose a question to everyone:

What's something you WISH you knew to bring with you your first time, but didn't know you'd need it? Could be as simple as chewing gum/chapstick or as big as multiple pairs of shoes because it could rain.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing everyone in a couple months!

I'm only doing 4 days of Ragbrai this year and meeting my group in Boone on the evening of Tuesday July 21st. My flight lands at DSM at 3:05 PM.

Any recommendations (other than riding my bike) to get to Boone? I can do Uber, but would prefer either grabbing a ride with someone already heading that way or possibly get a charter/guaranteed ride instead.

My 2026 RAGBRAI LIII Checklist

Bicycling Basics

• Bicycle 
• Water-bottle(s) x ____ (recommend 2)
• Toolkit (Do not bring CO2 on the plane, not mandatory due to SAG, but highly recommended)
  • Bag that mounts on bike to carry this (example: saddle bag)
  • Small tool set made specifically for a bike
  • Patching Kit
  • Tube x ____
  • CO2 inflator (IF, then buy CO2 at Expo) OR Hand Pump or Electric Pump
  • Wet type Chain Lube OR Wax drip lube (for daily top off) OR an extra waxed chain (if running wax chain, you might switch chains day 4 due to mileage) (Or make sure your friends have you covered)
  • Garmin/Wahoo/Karoo etc. bike computer (Optional)
• Bike Lights
  • Front White Light (not optional IMO)
  • Rear Red Light (not optional IMO)
  • Radar (Optional)
• Helmet
• Battery (If you have electronic gears)

Riding Clothing

(I do 4 riding clothes sets – My charter Brancel does laundry on day 4, so I can get 3 washed and reuse last 3 days)

• Riding Tops 
  • Jerseys x ____ 
  • SPF Shirts/Tees x ____

   

• Riding Bottom 
  • Riding Shorts x ____
  • Bibs x ____
• Cycling or just a light rain jacket
• Sweat head band x ____ (Optional, but highly recommended)
• Cycling Gloves (Optional, but strongly recommended)
• Cycling cap for under your Helmet (Highly recommended as UV protection)
• Cycling Shoes or Sneakers or Sandals (for actual pedaling)
• Socks x ____
• Cycling Glasses/Sunglasses

Riding Food/Miscellaneous

• Drink Electrolytes (Optional, but strongly recommended)
• Riding snacks (Optional, not recommended, enough food everywhere)
• Energy Gels (Optional, not recommended, enough food everywhere)
• Energy Chews or Sour Patch Kids (Optional, enough food everywhere, I do carry these)

Riding Miscellaneous

• Chamois Cream (strongly recommended, I carry multiple small tubes instead of a large tub so I can carry some with me on the ride)
• Sunscreen (must IMO)
• SPF Chapstick (must IMO)
• Power Bank (Optional, but strongly recommended)
• Spare Rear derailleur hanger for your bike (strongly recommended IMO, especially if bike is not a Trek/Specialized, they are known to occasionally break in transit)
• Bicycle Transport Bag/Box/Case

Camping

• Charging system
  • Power Brick x ____
  • Phone charging cable
  • Light charging cables x ____
  • Other charging cables x ____ (such as bicycle electronic gear battery)
• Tent (1 person or 2 person) with tent bag
• Tent Light or head lamp (Optional, but recommended, you wake up when dark, head lamp tends to be most useful than a generic light)
• Camp Cot (Optional, my preference)
• Sleeping Pad (Optional)
• Camping Sheets or Sleeping Bag
• Inflatable Pillow (strongly recommended)
• Camp Chair (Not recommended for Charters that provide)

Group: Personal Hygiene 

• Towel/PVA Towel (PVA strongly recommended if you don't have access to towel service)
• Toothbrush (personal choice)
• Toothpaste (personal choice)
• Floss (personal choice)
• Soap (personal choice, shower truck had generic soap pump)
• Shampoo & Conditioner (personal choice)
• Razor or Electric shaver (optional)
• Deodorant (personal choice)
• Bathroom/Toilet Wet wipes (optional, personal choice, I carry)

General Clothing

• Evening wear
  • Tees x ______ (recommend 2-3 only)
  • Shorts or similar x ______ (recommend 2-3 only)
  • Sleepwear x ______
• Walking shoes (optional if using sneakers or sandals as cycling shoes)
• Travel Shoes (Could double as walking shoes, optional if using sneakers or sandals as cycling shoes)
• Flip Flops (optional, but useful around camp)
• Cap (optional, but highly recommended)
• Underwear x ____
• Swimwear/trunks (optional, but highly recommended)

Meds & Drugs

• Prescription Glasses
• Ibuprofen/Tylenol/other legal pain killer of choice (highly recommend)
• Personal Meds
  • ____________________________
  • ____________________________
  • ____________________________
• Bandaids
• Hand sanitizer (personal choice, carry multiple travel sized ones)
• Feminine products (personal need)

Miscellaneous

• Duffel Bag (70-120L) or hiking backpack (60+L) as main luggage
• RAGBRAI LIII official stuff they’ll mail you in June/July
  • RAGBRAI LIII official baggage ID (If you charter, they will give their own, but they may ask to see this)
  • RAGBRAI LIII official green wrist band (green was 2025 color, may change)
  • RAGBRAI LIII official blue wrist band (blue was 2025 color, may change)
  • RAGBRAI LIII official Number Sticker
  • RAGBRAI LIII official Name Sticker
  • RAGBRAI LIII official Team Sticker (if you are in a team)
  • RAGBRAI LIII official Patch
• Legal ID
• Insurance card
• 1 or 2 credit cards
• Gallon Ziplocks x ____
• Large Ziplocks x ____
• Quart Ziplocks x ____
• Extra small Ziplocks x ____
• Labels (Optional)
• Sharpie (Optional)
• Contractor trash bags (2, come in handy if it pours)
• Cell phone (Just know cell signal is spotty along the way)
• Camera, Action-Camera, Drone, etc. (Optional)
• Cash (spend is $70-$100/day approximately; $1, $5, $20 bills, if you eat at Churches, Libraries, etc. they take cash, donation food places take cash, all mainstream vendor in towns & food trucks take cards)
• Name Stickers (Optional, highly recommended)
• Zip ties or Reusable Zip ties (Optional, highly recommended)
• Packing Straps (Optional)
• If you have an Osprey backpack, an Osprey Air Cover (trust me, you'll thank me later)