List of RAGBRAI overnight stops

Eight "host communities" are selected each year by the RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) organizers, except that there were only seven in 1973, the first year. Two of the communities are the beginning and end points, while the other six serve as overnight stops for the bicyclists. From 1973 to 2016, the distance between consecutive host communities averaged about 67 miles (ǂ). The average length has been 467 miles (ǂ). 1985 was the longest at 540 miles (ǂ) and 1977 the shortest at 400 miles.

Contents

• By year
• 1 Time
• By city
• References

ǂ Note: Excluding the "century loop".

At the beginning of the ride, riders traditionally dip the rear wheel of their bikes in either the Missouri River or the Big Sioux River (depending on the starting point of the ride), and at the end, the riders dip the front wheels in the Mississippi River. 13 communities have served as the starting point, 12 have hosted the finish, and 104 other communities have been overnight hosts. The 2017 ride will feature the 14th community to be a starting point as well as the 105th community to be an overnight host during the week.

1978 was the first year with recurring host cities (Sioux City and Storm Lake). 1981 was the last year with all "first-time" host cities. 1999 was the first year with no "first-time" host city (all were repeats from prior years), with 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 having the similar distinction. 2014 was the most recent year with "first-time" host cities (Rock Valley and Okoboji).

Centerville and Leon have the distinction of "city with longest time between hosting" at 35 years (both hosted in 1981 and 2016). Williamsburg has the distinction of being the "city with longest time without a repeat" (1973 to present) and Camp Dodge is a close second (1974 to present).