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Onawa, Harlan & Guthrie Center announced as communities for the RAGBRAI© 2026 journey

(Des Moines, IA) – Officials with the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) ©, Saturday, announced the route for their 53rd ride seven-day. The road trip begins with the dipping of a bicycle tire in the Missouri River at Onawa on July 18th, before making overnight stays in Harlan, Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence, and Dyersville, before arriving in Dubuque, where participants will dip their bike tires into the Mississippi River to conclude their experience on July 25th.

According to the official RAGBRAI website, “It is the oldest, largest, and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. This rolling celebration of Iowa attracts participants from all 50 states and many foreign countries. It has covered thousands of miles through the years, and hundreds of thousands of riders have hopped in the saddle to pedal part of those miles.”

• Day 0 – Onawa: Riders will dip their tires in the Missouri River and begin their ride from the town of Onawa.

• Day 1 – Harlan: After 58.5 miles of riding and 3,465 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their first overnight stop in Harlan.
• Day 2 – Guthrie Center: After 53.9 miles of riding and 3,544 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their second overnight stop in Guthrie Center.
• Day 3 – Boone: After 59.5 miles of riding and 1,503 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their third overnight stop in Boone.
• Day 4 – Marshalltown: After 62.2 miles of riding and 3,465 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their fourth overnight stop in Marshalltown.
• Day 5 – Independence: After 81.4 miles of riding and 2,713 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their fifth overnight stop in Independence.
• Day 6 – Dyersville: After 42.2 miles of riding and 1,441 feet of elevation climb, riders will have their sixth overnight stop in Dyersville.
• Day 7 – Dubuque: After 33.7 miles of riding and 1,788 feet of elevation climb, riders will dip their tires in the Mississippi River and end their ride in Dubuque.