After three rides starting in northwest Iowa, including last year's 50th anniversary RAGBRAI that began in Sioux City, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is beginning its second half-century with a change of venue.
Here's what's ahead.
Sunday’s RAGBRAI route
Glenwood to Red Oak.
What to know
This is going to be a southern route. That means smaller towns, more cows, fewer pigs and lots of hills. In fact at 18,375 feet, this year's ride has the most elevation gain in RAGBRAI history.
More: How you can conquer the hilliest RAGBRAI ever: an expert's advice
The climbing will start right away, as riders ascend from Glenwood in the Missouri River valley though the scenic Loess Hills. After the first pass-through town, Silver City — a stop on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail — the ride turns east, first on Carey Road and then Brothers Road. Narrow, though paved, farm roads, they begin the saw-toothed roller coaster ride that will characterize much of this year's route. You climb to a view of the green fields below, then zoom down and do it again until you lose count. The day's distance is less than 42 miles, so it's a good warm-up for what's to come.
There's a very brief stretch of gravel as you leave the meeting town of Henderson, but those who endure it will be rewarded with a comfortable cruise down U.S. 59.
Yes, pass-through town Emerson promises a slip-and-slide.
The overnight town, Red Oak, has been through its share of hard times, losing major employers like its Eveready battery factory 30 years ago. But it remains a two-Casey's town (Iowans know that's a big deal in a rural area) and maintains a pleasant city square and a handsome courthouse. It has a distinguished, if tragic, history as a city that has sacrificed more than its share of soldiers to conflicts, commemorated with a World War II museum in its old train depot. It also was, for a time, a childhood home of longtime "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson.
Visit its RAGBRAI Facebook page at facebook.com/RAGBRAI.redoakiowa .
Weather
Sunday calls for a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms with partly sunny skies and a high near 76. Winds blow from the east and northeast at 5 to 7 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
On Sunday night, expect a chance of thunderstorms before 7 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Entertainment
Performances in Red Oak begin at noon. Headliner Pet Rock, a 1970s tribute band, is scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Looking forward to
The gorgeous views along Brothers Road between Silver City and the meeting town of Henderson.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: RAGBRAI 2024 Day 1 preview: What to know about Sunday's RAGBRAI route, Glenwood to Red Oak
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