The Registers Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa

If you are ever asked “what is the oldest bicycle tour event in the United States?”, the answer is the title to this week’s Outdoor Journal. The  (Des Moines) Registers Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known as RAGBRAI got underway July 21 in Council Bluffs and will over the course of the week make it’s way to the Mississippi River, this year ending in Keokuk, Iowa. (Well south of the majority of the Iowa/Missouri border.) 

When a few friends got together for a casual bike ride across Iowa in 1973, no one imagined that a tradition would be born, let alone that it would become the longest, largest and oldest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. 

Now the ride limits the number of participants to 8500 to ensure the safety of those that participate. Prior to the cap, some impressive records were set. For example, in 

1988, an estimated 23,000 riders had taken part in the leg of the ride from Boone to Des Moines. In 2013, an estimated 36,000 riders were counted on the road from Perry to Des Moines.  That’s a lot of bicycles.

More than 200 rides around the United States have been created since 1973 using RAGBRAI as there model. Over the years, RAGBRAI has passed through each of Iowa’s 99 counties. 

Organizer of the event work with law enforcement, emts and county officials to manage the crowds and provide services, but the riders find their own water and food in towns along the way resulting in cottage industries springing up around the annual influx of cyclist, 60% of who are from out of state. All over the world in fact.

During 2004’s RAGBRAI a rider was thrown from his bicycle after hitting a crack in the center of the road and died from his injuries. The riders  widow sued Crawford County, IA eventually settling for $350,000. The board of supervisors for Crawford County then banned RAGBRAI (and other, similar events) to avoid future liability. In December 2008, however, Crawford County supervisors voted to rescind this ban after the RAGBRAI organizers took steps to indemnify third parties in future cases.

I have ridden in RAGBRAI several times, though never for the whole week. It’s quite a show whether you are riding or just people watching. When route comes south, you may want to go see for yourself.