Choose your own adventure with the RAGBRAI LII Karras Loop and Gravel Sectors! We announced the full RAGBRAI LII route back on April 1, but riders who want a little more from their ride this year have some adventurous options.
2025 Karras Loop
Riders who can’t get enough RAGBRAI – the Karras Loop sponsored by Wenzel’s Farm is for you! On Day 3 of RAGBRAI LII you will have the option to pedal 101.9 miles and complete a century. Registered riders who complete the loop within the service times will be able to receive a collectible Karras Loop Patch.
The Loop will depart from the main route in Crystal Lake, and then double back to the main route between Titonka and Woden. This way riders will not miss a mile of the main route. Be sure to stop at our oasis on the loop to get your patch and grab a Wenzel’s Farm beef stick. The perfect protein fuel up to power you through the rest of your ride. Or at least through the loop!
GPS route files for both Karras Loop and the Gravel Route plus Karras Loop will be available in late June.
The Karras Loop is named for RAGBRAI Cofounder John Karras who was notorious for including (mandatory) 100 mile sections in his RAGBRAI routes. In later years after his retirement, Karras was a fixture in every Karras Loop patch stop, handing out patches and taking selfies.
2025 Gravel Sectors
Riders who want to get into the nitty gritty of things will have the option of gravel routes on RAGBRAI LII, sponsored by Shimano. For the second straight year, riders can tackle optional gravel sectors each day, including a three mile stretch in Minnesota. In all, there are a total of ten sectors and 83 total miles of gravel for the week. Riders can truly choose their own adventure, customizing each day’s ride. You can read about each gravel route on its respective Route Page here.
“Gravel is a huge part of cycling culture right now, and we’re excited to showcase some of the nation’s best gravel roads right here in Iowa,” said RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen. “The optional gravel routes give riders a whole new way to experience Iowa, from wide-open landscapes to hidden treasures you can only find on our back roads.”
As with the Karras Loop, each gravel sector will return to the main road without bypassing any host towns. Riders who complete the gravel sectors can pick up a commemorative gravel patch at Shimano’s booth in Parkersburg on Day 5.
GPS route files for gravel sectors will be available in late June.
Note: The difficulty of each gravel route varies from easy to medium on Day 1 through Day 6. Day 7’s gravel route is very challenging and should only be navigated by the most confident gravel riders.
No matter where your adventure takes you, this year’s RAGBRAI promises a ride filled with fun, tradition, and new milestones. Join us for a day, or the whole week! Online registration is open through June 11, 2025.
New to RAGBRAI? Have questions? Check out our FAQ page! Or email us at [email protected]
