If you succeeded in grinding out the last two long, hilly days, Day 5 is a chance to slow down a little and enjoy the southern Iowa scenery. The mileage is just over 60 and the elevation gain is a mere 2,500 feet, 80% less than the epic Day 3 climb.
Here's what's ahead.
Thursday's RAGBRAI route
Knoxville to Ottumwa.
What to know
Thursday's route and some of Friday's skirt parts of Iowa known for their concentrations of Amish population. Keep an eye out for Old-Order families out in their horse-drawn buggies, and perhaps some of the pedal-less scooter bikes favored by some communities. If you're lucky, you might even encounter some Amish pie.
Attica, the first stop, is a town of just 130, but it plans plenty of breakfast choices for the riders. And if you don't mind risking shaking out the pancakes you just downed, there will be a mechanical bull for your amusement, according to the town's RAGBRAI Facebook page .
Lovilia, the next stop, asks riders to help add to a rock snake at the local day care, named Lily. Bring a painted rock to add to Lily's length.
A little-known fact even to some Iowans is that the state was once a coal producer. Lovilia was one of the last places in Iowa with an operating mine, and the old mine entrance has been fixed up so riders can visit it. There will even be a sculpture of a coal miner welded from bike parts to greet them, according to the town's Facebook page .
Albia, the meeting town, has a courthouse square surrounded by lovingly tended Victorian structures. But for some, the big draw will be a chance to take a trolley bus ride to the town's proudest spot, the Welcome Home Soldier monument southwest of town. There, an impressive line of flags and a 21 white crosses, representing a 21-gun salute, stand before a granite wall there are engraved the names of more than 3,500 veterans. According to the Facebook page for the monument , any living or deceased active duty peacetime and wartime honorable discharged veteran is eligible for inclusion on the list.
The route will reach the Des Moines River at Eddyville, then follow the river past a giant power plant to Chillicothe before taking the especially scenic Rock Bluff Road along the river to the overnight town of Ottumwa. The largest city on the route in 2024, it will offer vendor areas both at the campground and across the bridge downtown, with lots of local restaurants and bars to visit.
Weather
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind up to mph.
Entertainment
Ottumwa plans a spectacular evening with headlining national act Night Ranger, known for the hit "Sister Christian," taking the stage at 9 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at 11.
Looking forward to
... Beach Ottumwa, a water attraction with a wave pool and giant slides on the Des Moines riverfront a short hop from the RAGBRAI campground. Time to cool off!
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: RAGBRAI 2024 Day 5 preview: Leaving Knoxville, riders move on to Ottumwa
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