Sioux City – Storm Lake – Fort Dodge- Marshalltown – Cedar Falls – Dyersville – McGregor

I agree with HCM Ross Petersburg – New Vienna – Holy Cross- Balltown would be an incredible last day

I read a couple articles that said Mason City and Dubuque are really pushing to host next year.

I don’t have any guesses about the route at this point and generally when I reach the point that I do they are all wrong anyway! But I have to think that Burlington would consider their chance to be an overnight town this year to be a success. It might not be a feature every year or next year but I suspect we will see that kind of a route again, at least occasionally.

As the name indicates, Ragbrai runs ACROSS Iowa. Who says that “across” means west to east? Why can’t we ride “across” Iowa from north to south? Why not ride along the Big Sioux/Missouri Rivers or along the mighty Mississippi? If the total mileage doesn’t add up to the usual number, just throw in some non-optional loops. Go south to north as a way to change things up. Change can be good!

Is this heresy? Call my lawyer, Sosumi Alretty, Esq.

See you along the I-O-Way next year.

I disagree. I think tradition outweighs change for change sake. Let’s have something that remains great, that’s going from west to east. It’s the greatest ride in the country we don’t need to mess with it to much. I think YOU should start a ride from north to south, east to west. do a circle I don’t care but leave Ragbrai alone.

[quote quote=1310916]I disagree. I think tradition outweighs change for change sake. Let’s have something that remains great, that’s going from west to east.[/quote]

….. And thus starts the great debate! It’s going to be a long, cold winter, so let’s get at it. Just remember, folks, to keep it civil, non-political and on-topic.

See you along the I-O-Way next year (wherever direction the route takes!).

I hope 2020 (go Trump) is the HILLIEST!

Here we go. NO POLITICS!!!
[quote quote=1310924]I hope 2020 (go Trump) is the HILLIEST![/quote]

I predict my next ride in Iowa will go from Perry to Rippey.

le mars,cherokee,humboldt,iowa falls,grandy center,marion,maquoketa and clinton

My guess for the next RAGBRAI
Start: Le Mars, 55 miles, Pass Through Towns: Remsen, Marcus, Meriden, Cherokee, Aurelia, Alta; Storm Lake
Monday Morning: Storm Lake, 66 miles, Pass Through Towns: Verina, Fonda, Palmer, Pioneer, Humboldt
Tuesday Morning: Humboldt, 66 miles, Pass Through Towns: Thor, Eagle Grove, Galt, Dows, Coulter, Hampton
Wednesday Morning: Hampton, 39 miles, Pass Through Towns: Chapin, Sheffield, Rockwell, Burchinal, Emery, Mason City
Thursday Morning: Mason City, 63 miles, Pass Through Towns: Nora Springs, Rockford, Marble Rock, Greene, Shell Rock, Waverly
Friday Morning: Waverly, 75 miles, Pass Through Towns: Denver, Klinger, Fairbank, Oelwein, Strawberry Point, Back Bone State Forest, Forestville, Dundee, Manchester
Saturday Morning: Manchester, 50 miles, Pass Through Towns: Earlville, Dyersville, Field of Dreams Site, Sundown Mountain Ski Resort, Asbury, Dubuque
End: Dubuque, Total Miles: 414
Not clear to me if there will be a Century or Gravel Loop this time. If a Gravel Loop, probably on Wednesday. If a Century Loop, probably on Monday. I like the idea of incorporating a State Park/DNR site on the ride. If we were going to end in McGregor/Marquette, Pikes Peak State Park would be a natural. For an end in Dubuque, its got to be Back Bone State Forest. The Ski Resort could be a fun stop too.

Mr. Schwartze, you have done the RAGBRAI Crew’s job for them. A wonderful job. A 50 mile last day and no more that 75 miles for the long day is just excellent. And through Eagle Grove for lunch, love that town as a pass through, hope to overnight there some day. Hopefully the county engineers have no bridge and culvert work scheduled on your route.

RIDE RIGHT

Bernard, that’s a great route. However, I don’t think we are going to go to Dubuque on account of that other ride starting there. I would say Bellevue stands a better chance to being the end town now. Let me tweak the final day for a Bellevue finish.
Saturday Morning: Manchester, 65 miles, Pass Through Towns: Delhi, Hopkinton, Worthington, Cascade, Bernard, Zwingle, La Motte, Bellevue.
Total: 429

I think Bernard needs to be a little more detailed in his route guesses. What about important features like locations for Mr. Porkchop, Farm Kids, Beekmans, and (for the rest of you, not me) the beer tents? Details, we need details! ;)

My fear is that the gravel loop could be a casualty of all the hubbub this year. I am confident there will be a Karras loop this year and every year for as long as there is a RAGBRAI.

What could be cool is if there was a gravel route from the host town to the meeting town, or from the meeting town to the next host town. Or both.
Another cool thing would be if there was more than one day to ride gravel, which would be a good thing if the weather was not so good.
Not sure what it takes to set up the gravel route, once you find a town to pass through. I would not think it takes very much.
Just some thoughts.