RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is more than just a bike ride, it is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world.
Storm Lake will be the first overnight host city on this year’s tour, Sunday, July 23. Riders will come in from Sioux City – a 77-mile jaunt with 3,504 feet of climb. They will depart Monday for Carroll, a 62-mile journey with 1,818 feet of climb. The remaining overnight stops are: Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville, and Davenport.
This will be the sixth visit to Storm Lake for the epic event, including the first stop of the inaugural ride 50 years ago. Mike Porsch, mayor and committee leader, says, “It really is a massive event to plan on a local level, but Storm Lake is a beautiful setting for a stop, and we can easily accommodate thousands of riders in our parks and other venues. Together with the City and Storm Lake United, we’re going to make sure this is a year to remember.”