Routes

RAGBRAI 2026 Route

See what we are up to.

Interesting Fact – the 16,027 feet of climb is 10 times higher than the highest point in Iowa

Day 1

Onawa to Harlan

Let’s see if there are any Plattes in Westphalia IA

A very little known historical footnote:
“Two of our (referring to Westphalia MI) early families settled first in Westphalia, Iowa before coming here. They were Caspar Schneider and Henry Knoop. Today their grandchildren say,
“That’s where grandma met grandpa.”

A playful, overhead photographic scene of an Iowa bike touring campsite beside a quiet rural road: a brightly colored tent pitched near a sturdy bike lying on its side, panniers open to reveal maps, a small camp stove, and a pair of cycling gloves. Cornfields encircle the clearing like a textured green wall, while a strip of asphalt curves gently along one edge of the frame. Warm sunset light spills across the scene, creating long, whimsical shadows of the bike and tent. The composition balances crisp details in the campsite with softer focus on the surrounding fields, conveying a cozy, story-rich moment at the end of a day’s pedaling across Iowa.

A panoramic vista of rolling Iowa countryside viewed from a high ridge, with a lone, fully loaded touring bicycle parked near a weathered wooden signpost. Gently undulating fields of corn and soy stretch into the distance, broken by winding country roads and small clusters of trees. Early morning light creates a cool, pastel glow, with soft mist lingering in the low areas and subtle highlights along the bike’s handlebars and frame. Shot in photographic realism with a wide-angle lens feel, the composition follows the rule of thirds, placing the bike in the foreground corner and leading the viewer’s eye along the roads, evoking a serene yet adventurous travel narrative.