The number approximately 10,000 is published by RAGBRAI. Their number not mine. Using the term approximately gives them wiggle room.

The DMR article in which Pippen is quoted also stated.

He said he stood by an estimate he made during the 2022 ride in July that there could be a day on this year’s ride with as many 100,000 registered and non-registered riders.

“It’s a number that I threw out that I think could be insane to see that,” Phippen said. “The area that we have the ability to be in possibly with the route, with the experience of what RAGBRAI is … it’s easily a number that we could go after. How cool would it be to see that many bikes on a road?”

So if RAGBRAI is looking to top the world record by having 100,00 bikes out there near Des Moines, then obviously a majority of them will be unregistered. Something they are actively promoting.

If they don’t care, why should anyone else. And why continue to promote unworkable anti-bandit ideas at all.

Ride Right and just Ride Your Own Ride