The RAGRAI Route is coming back to Sioux County! At the RAGBRAI Announcement Party, held tonight (Saturday, January 25th) at the Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, the overnight towns were announced.
The 2025 route, which will be the 52nd annual rendition of the popular event, will start in Orange City on Saturday, July 19th! Happenings at the starting site include the commencing celebration and the bike expo. The RAGBRAI Expo is “Where RAGBRAI Begins!” Shop the latest in gear, accessories, nutrition, and bike tourism from the top manufacturers in the industry. The Official Bike Shops of RAGBRAI will be on-site for any last-minute repairs and equipment. In addition, the RAGBRAI merchandise trailers and outlet tents will be selling all your favorite RAGBRAI merchandise past and present.
From Orange City, the parade of riders will head to Milford, the overnight host town for Sunday the 20th. Then on Monday, cyclists will proceed to Estherville, the next stopping point. After lodging in Emmet County, the swarm will progress to Forest City, Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls, and Oelwin, finally ending in Guttenberg on July 26th as the concluding host sight. This will be the second shortest route and sixth flattest ever RAGBRAI, with 406 miles and 10,487 feet of climb.
RAGBRAI is also pleased to announce that the Honor Flight Network will be the Community Fund beneficiary for RAGBRAI LII. Funds raised will be directed to active hubs serving Iowa veterans through the Honor Flight mission “To celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.” RAGBRAI acknowledges with gratitude the service and sacrifice of our veterans and values the opportunity to support those who have served our country.
This is the second time that the County Seat has accommodated RAGBRAI. Orange City last hosted the starting festivities in 2017, with that route continuing on to Spencer. Other area beginning towns have been Hawarden, Le Mars, Rock Rapids, Rock Valley, and Sioux Center.
Just the eight overnight host towns were revealed at the Announcement Party. Full route mapping and pass-through towns will be declared at a later date. Stay tuned for more details on this iconic summer experience.
