RAGBRAI Day 5: A Journey Through Rural Iowa to a Vibrant College Town
RAGBRAI is making its way back to a college town on July 24, with an overnight stay in Cedar Falls. This day also marks the annual College Jersey Day, adding a special touch to the event.
Route Overview
The fifth day of RAGBRAI takes riders from Iowa Falls to Cedar Falls, covering a distance of 51.9 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. This segment of the ride offers a mix of rural landscapes and notable stops, providing a unique experience for participants.
Highlights Along the Way
While RAGBRAI 52 has primarily been a tour of rural Iowa, the Thursday ride brings a change of scenery as it ends in Cedar Falls, the largest city on this year’s route. With a population of about 40,000 and part of a larger metro area that includes Waterloo, Cedar Falls stands out as a vibrant community.
Before reaching Cedar Falls, riders will pass through several interesting towns. The first stop is Ackley, known for its school district name AGWSR, which serves the communities of Ackley, Geneva, Wellsburg, and Steamboat Rock. Participants can join the “Take Flight” paper airplane contest, supporting AGWSR High School’s Dollars for Scholars program. The Ackley Fire Department also offers a breakfast featuring pancakes and gluten-free burritos.
Next is Aplington, followed by Parkersburg. RAGBRAI has a special connection with Parkersburg, having visited the city in 2010 after a devastating tornado and a tragic incident involving a local high school football coach. The city is now known for its tornado sculpture made of old bicycles. Additionally, Parkersburg resident Derek Snakenberg will be running 52 miles while installing flagpoles for veterans along the route.
New Hartford is another stop, where U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, resides. At 91 years old, Grassley has held elected office for 66 years. New Hartford also features a refurbished giant bike, perfect for memorable photos.
Cedar Falls: A College Town Experience
The day’s ride concludes in Cedar Falls, home to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). While UNI may not be as prominent as other state universities, it is a quintessential college town with a strong focus on arts, education, and a thriving local music scene. Riders can enjoy the RAGBRAI Party at the legendary Octopus, located at 2205 College St. The area offers a variety of microbreweries, restaurants, and the new $6.5 million Gateway River Park with whitewater features.
Entertainment in Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls will host a full day of musical acts, culminating with Dead Presidents at 6:30 p.m. and headliners Not Quite Brothers at 8:30 p.m. This promises to be a memorable evening for all attendees.
Weather Forecast
For those who endured the heat and strong headwinds on Wednesday, Thursday’s forecast offers some relief. Expect a high in the mid-80s with a southwest wind turning northwest. However, there is also a chance of rain, so riders should prepare accordingly.
Looking Ahead
The penultimate day of RAGBRAI will take riders to Oelwein, marking the shortest ride of the week. This provides a welcome break before the final leg of the journey.
