2017 RAGBRAI Host Cities Announced
Organizers of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa announced the host cities for the 45th ride across the Hawkeye state. This year's ride treks along the Minnesota/Iowa border.
The 2017 RAGBRAI runs July 23-29 crossing 411 miles and climbs totaling 13,078 feet.
It all starts in Orange City as they serve as a host city for the first time in RAGBRAI history. On Saturday, July 22. The town of just over 6,000 people has been a pass-through community six times (1975, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2005, and 2012) prior to this year's hosting duties.
Spencer (population 11,233) hosts on Sunday, July 23. It's the city's fifth overnight stop previously hosting in 1979, 1990, 1999, and 2007. Sunday's ride covers 59.5 miles and a 1,283 feet climb.
Monday, July 24th's ride covers 73.8 mile ride and a climb of 1,631 feet, and riders will spend the night in Algona (population 5,560). This marks the sixth hosting duties for Algona (1997, 1990, 1999, 2005, 2010, and 2017).
Clear Lake (population 7,777) welcomes the RAGBRAI riders on Tuesday, July 25. The ride to Clear Lake crosses 51.4 miles and features a 934 mile climb. This is the fourth overnight visit. Previous stays were in 1977, 1999 and 2010
On Wednesday, July 26, the trip heads towards Charles City (population 7,652) during a 57.5 mile ride and a 1,290 feet climb. This is the fifth overnight visit for Charles City previously hosting in 1982, 1996, 2002, and 2010.
The riders travel 64.3 miles on Thursday, July 27 before making an overnight stay in Cresco. It's a 2,257 feet climb. It has been over a decade since Cresco last hosted (1996 and 2005).
The climb continues upward with a 3,897 feet climb on July 28 as the rides head to Waukon. Friday's ride travels across 60.1 miles. It's their first time hosting. The last time Waukon was on the RAGBRAI route as a pass-through city back in 1977.
The final day is a short 44.8 mile ride but features a 3,200 feet climb enroute to Lansing. It has been 40 years since RAGBRAI visited Lansing last hosting in 1977.
Get the latest information and details about RAGBRAI XLV at www.RAGBRAI.com.