RAGBRAI’s 50th anniversary—or “RAGBRAI L” in Roman numerals—will celebrate “One L of a Ride – Since 1973” July 22-29, 2023. The theme welcomed folks to the Route Announcement Party in Downtown Des Moines on Saturday, Jan. 28. In July, riders will cycle from Sioux City to Storm Lake throughout the day on Sunday, July 23 and stay overnight before departing for Carroll the following morning. The remaining overnight stops are: Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville, and Davenport.
Plans to welcome an anticipated 20,000 riders to Storm Lake are beginning to take shape, led by a committee of community leaders. 2023 year marks the sixth time Storm Lake will host the ride—the last overnight taking place in 2015. Storm Lake was a planned overnight stop in 2020 before the event was called off due to the pandemic.
Mike Porsch, mayor and committee leader, says, “It really is a massive event to plan on a local level, but Storm Lake is a beautiful setting for a stop, and we can easily accommodate thousands of riders in our parks and other venues. Together with the City and Storm Lake United, we’re going to make sure this is a year to remember.”
According to RAGBRAI’s website, the annual event—sponsored by the Des Moines Register—is more than just a bike ride; it’s an “epic, eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community.” RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world. Storm Lake committee chairs are in the process of forming sub-committees including hospitality, volunteers, entertainment, and more.
More information will be available online and on Facebook in the coming weeks.