I began my first ragbrai in Hawarden in 1975. I love that little town!!

I remember one year — I think it was 1996 — when we started from Sioux Center and passed through Orange City as the first town out on Sunday AM.  Orange City had little or nothing open for us — I think they handed out free oranges and that was about it.  I learned later that this was because that area had originally been settled by members of various Dutch Reformed religious groups and their influence on the community, which extended to the concept that conducting business of any kind on Sunday was the next thing to a sin, was still strong.  I don’t know if that has tempered any over the past twenty years; maybe not, and that’s why we’ve not been back.

<i><b>-“BB”-</b></i>

Beebs, on RAGBRAI XL, we once again started in Sioux Center, passed through Leeds, Orange City and Alton. These towns all had good service on Sunday. I had a great breakfast in Alton. Then, I went downtown in Alton and drank a beer with Princess Amanda, at a local bar. It was the start of a good RAGBRAI day!

We’re overdue for a southern route with some great Iowa rollers. Also, for some of the “suggestions” on a “rest day” with a 2 night stay with an optional out and back, I hope not. I think it would take away from the tradition and charm of RAGBRAI. Those seem to work okay on week long rides with a lot less people that loop back to the start city. Spreading the wealth around to as many communities as possible is one of the great things with RAGBRAI.

If the 2016 logo (as set forth on the RAGBRAI website) is “It’s time to take a break”, then having a rest day with two nights camping in the same town fits perfectly. Makes perfect sense.

I wonder if there will be a “Guess the Route” contest? Here’s my route.
Onawa
Denison
Guthrie Center
Ames
Grundy Center
Montezuma
Washington
Keokuk
About 460 miles or so.

Anyone have any inside info for guess the route?
I think Missouri Valley could be the start town.

dalen45: Anyone have any inside info for guess the route?
I think Missouri Valley could be the start town.

The word I receiver, from an insider, is Hawarden as the start town!!!!

I’m hoping it’s Glenwood. Hawarden adds 60+ miles to my ride from Boulder. :-/

I heard from a friend, who knows this guy who has a cousin who heard from one of his friends that someone on the Winterset City Council, or someone who has something to do with the City of Winterset, was contacted about being a pass-through or an overnight town.

Thanks John for the information. I love reading stuff like this here!

That is good news. My next door neighbor’s friend has a sister who’s baby sitter’s mom’s cousin is married to the step brother of the mayor of Denison’s uncle. So I have it on good authority Denison will be an over night town.

I don’t think I have ever made this guess before, but I think the route will go to the deep south. Right along the Missouri border. Look for Bedford, Lamoni or Leon, Ottumwa, etc.

Davy

Okay, so based on the premise that the route will look like a hammock (which I think is a legit hint) here is my guess:

1)Hawarden
2)Cherokee
3)Rockwell City
4)Ames
5)Newton
6)Tama/Toledo
7)Monticello
8)Dubuque

I would love a southern route as well but from what I have heard, towns large enough to accommodate RAGBRAI are getting few and far between in the south.