RAGBRAI 2024 Day 1 Preview: What you need to know about Sunday’s RAGBRAI route, from Glenwood to Red Oak

After three rides that started in northwest Iowa, including last year’s 50th anniversary RAGBRAI that kicked off in Sioux City, the Register’s annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa now begins its second half-century in a new location.

This is what we’re going to do.

Sunday’s RAGBRAI route

From Glenwood to Red Oak.

What to know

This will be a southern route. That means smaller towns, more cows, fewer pigs, and lots of hills. At 18,375 feet, this year’s ride actually has the most elevation gain in RAGBRAI history.

More: How to Conquer the Hilliest RAGBRAI Ever: Expert Advice

The climbing begins immediately, as riders head from Glenwood in the Missouri River Valley up through the scenic Loess Hills. After the first transit town, Silver City—a stop on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail—the ride heads east, first along Carey Road and then Brothers Road. Narrow but paved farm roads begin the sawtoothed rollercoaster ride that will define much of this year’s route. You’ll climb to a view of the green fields below, then zoom back 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 is a very short stretch of gravel as you leave the meeting place in Henderson, but if you persevere you will be rewarded with a comfortable ride along US 59.

Yes, the transit city of Emerson promises a slide and a toboggan run.

The nighttime town of Red Oak has seen its share of hard times, losing major employers like the Eveready Battery Plant 30 years ago. But it remains a two-Casey’s town (Iowans know that’s a big deal in a rural area) and has a pleasant town square and a handsome courthouse. It has a distinguished, if tragic, history as a town that has sacrificed more than its share of soldiers in conflict, commemorated by a World War II museum in the old train station. It was also for a time the birthplace of longtime “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson.

Visit the RAGBRAI Facebook page at facebook.com/RAGBRAI.redoakiowa.

Weather

Sunday has a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms with partly sunny skies and a high near 76 degrees. Winds will be from the east-northeast at 5 to 7 mph. New rainfall amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday evening a chance of thunderstorms before 7:00 PM, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1:00 AM. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East northeast wind around 6 mph, becoming calmer in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than one-tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Entertainment

Performances at Red Oak begin at 12 p.m. Headlining act Pet Rock, a 70s tribute band, will take the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Looking forward to

The beautiful view from Brothers Road between Silver City and the meeting place in Henderson.

This article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register: RAGBRAI 2024 Day 1 Preview: From Glenwood to Red Oak