Statewide Iowa — Nearly 20,000 riders completed “The Ride of the Century” on Wednesday as the overnight stop for the 49th edition of the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa was in Mason City.
Riders trekked 105 miles from Emmetsburg on Wednesday, the first 100 mile leg of RAGBRAI since 1985. Steve Luper from Seattle, Washington is enjoying his first RAGBRAI experience.
Colleen Nagengast of Naples, Florida says despite the 100-mile-plus ride, it wasn’t that bad, as the previous day brought a headwind. Nagengast says she’s been enjoying her first trip through Iowa on a bike.
Tonia Richter from Fox Lake, Illinois says she originally wasn’t going to do the 105-mile-ride from Emmetsburg to Mason City but is glad she did. Richter says she’s been pleased with her first RAGBRAI journey.
Michele Randall of Rochester, New York and her husband are on their sixth RAGBRAI ride and it’s been the second time they’ve been in Mason City. Randall says she enjoyed the ride alongside Richter.
Riders have a shorter ride today as it’s only 48 miles from Mason City to Charles City. From there RAGBRAI stops in West Union on Friday night and wraps up in Lansing on Saturday.
