RAGBRAI history – 2020s

Virtually the Best RAGBRAI
July 19-25, 2020
As with the rest of the world, RAGBRAI was affected by the global pandemic in 2020. We had to make the heartbreaking decision to postpone RAGBRAI. Instead we hosted RAGBRAI 2020 – Virtually the Best Bicycle Ride in the World! Thousands of riders joined us online to pedal what would have been the route from Le Mars to Storm Lake (complete with virtual Gravel Loop and Mile of Silence), Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Waterloo, Anamosa (with optional 100 mile Virtual Karras Loop), Maquoketa, and Clinton.

Of course nothing is as fun as “the real deal,” but we had a blast with ice cream themed recipes, notes from the charters and vendors, virtual Rhubarb Rumble (NPR vs Des Moines Register pie eating contest), playlists, and more. All participating riders tracked their mileage through People for Bikes’ Ride Spot app. It was fun to see all the riders’ routes in and out of Iowa. And don’t forget the concerts – we had an outdoor party with The Pork Tornadoes in Des Moines’ Waterworks Park.

The RAGBRAI Founders Statue was installed in 2020, also in Des Moines’ Waterworks Park. It’s a tribute to RAGBRAI cofounders John Karras and Donald Kaul – it is a small gesture toward thanking the late John Karras and Donald Kaul for giving us so many wonderful summers of lasting memories and lifelong friendships over the years. Happily, Karras was alive at the time and was able to attend the statue unveiling! Click this text to read more about the RAGBRAI Founders Statue.

RAGBRAI XLVIII
July 25-31, 2021
We’re back baby! We were able to ride together again in 2021. This year was special in that way – riders appreciated everything just a little bit more after a year (or more) apart. Even the 4AM tent zipping seemed more welcome this year! Due to changes in cities plans and unexpected construction, the route had to change slightly from what we had expected in 2020. So we rode through Le Mars, Sac City, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Waterloo, Anamosa, De Witt, and ended in Clinton with just over 454 miles.

Sadly, RAGBRAI’s former director Jim “Greenie” Green had passed away since we had last been together, so this ride was dedicated to him. Green was director of RAGBRAI from 1991-2004, and is the cofounder of the Dream Team. The Dream Team is a RAGBRAI team for disadvantaged youth. Kids who complete the program can earn a new bicycle by keeping good grades, training regularly, and riding the entire route. Greenie was much loved among RAGBRAI Nation and his presence is still sorely missed. May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back!

Things kicked off in Le Mars with a tribute to Greenie, as well as a lot of Blue Bunny ice cream. Their theme was appropriately Le Mars a la Road! Sac City’s theme was a nod to their World’s Largest Popcorn ball – Pop It Like It’s Hot. Riders endured a long, windy day, but came out the other side to the return of the Johnny Holm band (they had not played RAGBRAI since before the pandemic). We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Lytton, which was on the road to Sac City. The town sold out of pie (they’re a slice of heaven!) and featured town-wide Goat Yoga. In Fort Dodge riders were Rollin’ to the River, and a gorgeous downtown Expo set up. Day four took us to the Waterloo Experience and a brand new band to RAGBRAI, the Purple Experience (a Prince cover band!). In Anamosa, Size Matters and We Like ‘Em Big! They’re home to the annual Pumpkinfest which features some very large produce. De Witt asked us “Can you Handle De Witt?” and we had a blast with the Pop Rocks as our last night’s entertainment. With a smooth ride into Clinton, we were Rolling to the River!

RAGBRAI history – 2020s

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