RAGBRAI (Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) announced in January its overnight stops. Sergeant Bluff, Ida Grove, Pocahontas, Emmetsburg, Mason City, Charles City, West Union, and Lansing will be welcoming riders to settle down for the night after their long daily treks. But, along the way will be plenty of opportunities to admire the Hawkeye State as riders stroll into what are called the "passing through" towns across the state, as announced Sunday and published by the Des Moines Register.

The ride runs through the state July 24-30 and, according to the Register, consists of a 462-mile route across northern Iowa.

For the first time since 1984, the route will include a "Century Ride" (a 100-mile day).

Each day's route includes a notable "highlight" or two, which will be included below.

RAGBRAI/Des Moines Register
RAGBRAI/Des Moines Register
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Day 1, Sunday, July 24: Sergeant Bluff to Ida Grove

Iowa,Road,Sign,With,Dramatic,Clouds,And,Sky.
Photo By Andy Dean Photography on Shutterstock
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Day 2, Monday, July 25: Ida Grove to Pocahontas

  • Miles: 71.2 miles
  • Feet of climb: 1,694
  • Themes: College Jersey Day, People for Bikes Day
    • Pass-through towns: 
    • Galva
    • Schaller (Highlight: "Popcorn capital of the world")
    • Nemaha
    • Fonda
      • Meeting town: Newell
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Day 3, Tuesday, July 26: Pocahontas to Emmetsburg

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Day 4, Wednesday, July 27: Emmetsburg to Mason City

  • Miles: 105
  • Feet of climb: 1,699
  • Themes: John Karras Day,  RAGBRAI Jersey Day
    • Pass-through towns 
    • Whittemore (first-time pass-through town)
    • Algona (first-time pass-through town but multiple-time overnight stop)
    • Wesley
    • Klemme (first-time pass-through town)
Google Maps
Google Maps
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Day 4 is also "Century Day" with 100 miles on the route, taking an extra hour, until 7 p.m. rather than 6.

Day 5-Thursday July 28: Mason City to Charles City

  • Miles: 47.9
  • Feet of climb: 1,260
  • Themes: Charlie Harper Day, Crazy Socks Day
Google Maps
Google Maps
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Day 6-Friday July 29: Charles City to West Union

  • Miles: 63
  • Feet of Climb: 2,025
  • Theme: Iowa State Patrol Appreciation Day
    • Pass-through towns 
    • Ionia
    • New Hampton
    • Waucoma
    • Hawkeye
      • Meeting town: Lawler
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash
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Day 7-Saturday, July 30: West Union to Lansing

  • Miles: 65.4
  • Feet of Climb: 2,966
  • Theme: Tire Dip in the Mississippi River.
    • Pass-through towns: 
    • Elgin
    • Gunder
    •  Waukon
      • Meeting town: Postville
Google Maps
Google Maps
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