The more I think about this, the more I feel it’s going to stay south. Revised (ever changing): Missouri Valley or Council Bluffs – Atlantic – Greenfield – DSM Area – Pella – Ottumwa – Fairfield – Fort Madison

I would love to see a route in the southernmost sections of Iowa. I lived in Iowa for a really long time, but rarely if ever found myself south of Highway 34 when I wasn’t on Interstate 35. I think just once on a trip to Keokuk. I’ve also heard that southern Iowa can be really hilly, so maybe I should be careful what I wish for.

I’m pulling for an end day in Keokuk since I lived there as a kid and still have family there. So…

Sioux City > Denison > Atlantic > Creston > Indianola > Oskaloosa > Fairfield > Keokuk

My tenth year guessing the route. Scored three correct answers last year, by far my best year. Sure do wish that I owned a magic napkin.

Missouri Valley, Audubon, Greenfield, Indianola, Pella, Blakesburg, Mount Pleasant, Burlington.

I personally like this topic of discussion better than the other one that’s blowing up lately.
Trying to figure out my route predictions. I like the idea of a diagonal route, and to hit at least one new overnight town, and a town we haven’t been to in ages. I’m still thinking Keokuk will be the end town…
That leads me to ask, What are the towns people would like to see host an overnight that maybe haven’t hosted an overnight before or haven’t in years. Eagle Grove, Elkader, Mount Vernon, and Wapello jump out at me. Thoughts?

I’m with you on that, cyduke. I promise that I’ve made my last “contribution” to the blow-up. So, here are my obnoxious, troll-like picks for RAGBRAI XLVII: Missouri Valley/Atlantic/Winterset/West Des Moines/Chariton/Bloomfield/Mount Pleasant/Keokuk. I’d agree with three of the cities you mentioned, but I think the lack of a hospital might eliminate Wapello.

Cyduke, I’d really like to go back to Indianola. It’s been a long time for Winterset too. It’s pretty hilly in that area but beautiful scenery by bike.

Eagle Grove will be an overnight. The Magic Napkin has a coffee stain that appears to be an eagle seen from the back side gliding into a grove of oak trees on a hill.

RIDE RIGHT

There seems to be a lot of money on Eagle Grove. I wouldn’t mind a new town (new to me).

Only hotel/motel in eagle grove is the Sandman Motel. This makes it quite unlikely to be an overnight stop IMO.

Leon has only one hotel and we were there a couple years ago and that seemed fine.

This is my 2 nd ragbrai and I think that Keokuk will be the ending town also. So here is my prediction starting in Council Bluffs, Shenandoah, Bedford, Osceola, Camp Dodge, Oskaloosa, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk. But as some has said towns that we have not been to for along time here is route no. 2, Sidney, Atlantic, Winterset, Camp Dodge, Oskaloosa. Bloomfield, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk

We will never again start in Sidney, Iowa. Won’t happen.

RIDE RIGHT

If I may ask why will not start in Sidney every again?

I went over the chart of past overnight towns by year, and tried to work out a pattern. Though conventional wisdom says it’s North, then Central, and a Southern route the 3rd year, my little research says that is not really a consistent pattern. There is a lot of overlap into the north and South sectors from a Central route, in some years. So–Central routes are used the most. . One thing that may keep them inside the three sectors, though, is a seeming trend toward slightly shorter routes in the last 5 years. That said, since Southern Iowa tends to have hilly terrain, it may be a 410-mile route in the Southern 1/3rd. Just to keep from wearing everyone out. There aren’t any large cities(by Iowa standards), which is fine with me. As long, as long as they have a Walmart & a swimming pool. So, I’ll guestimate a Southern, that stays way south of I-80.