RAGBRAI 2026 will take riders on a scenic journey this summer from the Loess Hills overlooking the Missouri River in northwest Iowa through the plains of central Iowa to the Mississippi River on the state's eastern boundary.
The route for the 53rd edition of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, announced on Saturday, Jan. 24, will extend 391.4 miles from Onawa to Dubuque. Along the way the seven-day bike tour will stop overnight in Harlan, Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence and Dyersville.
It will be the shortest RAGBRAI ever, but will be hillier than all but nine other editions.
The mileage is not as intense as it’s been in years past,” RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen said. "What they can’t always plan for is the elevation.”
Here is what to know about RAGBRAI 2026.