RAGBRAI Overnight Towns Heatmap

RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) is an annual bike ride across the state of Iowa (duh!). The event attracts thousands of cyclists from all over the world, who come to enjoy the scenic views, small towns, and the camaraderie of fellow riders.

Each year, the route changes, but it always includes a mix of charming small towns and beautiful countryside. The overnight towns are a highlight for many participants, as they offer a chance to rest, refuel, and experience the local culture.

Explore the interactive heatmap below to see the history of RAGBRAI overnight towns. The map highlights towns based on how frequently and recently they have been selected as overnight stops. The cooler areas in the heatmap can help identify towns that haven’t been selected in recent years and are due for a visit.

Some towns have been popular choices for multiple years, likely due to their capacity to accommodate large numbers of cyclists. Other towns have been chosen only once, which begs the question: was it not deemed suitable by RAGBRAI after they had hosted, or did the local community refuse to cooperate because they felt that it was a net negative for their town?

One particular end town that is curious is Sabula, Iowa’s only island town. Nestled along the Mississippi River, Sabula offers a unique charm and a different experience. It last hosted in 1998, and there are a total of 3 roads that connect to the town: two roads connect into the Iowa mainland, while the third is a bridge to Savanna, Illinois. Of all of the potential end towns, Sabula seems due, but it might not be capable of handling the influx of cyclists, campers, buses, and support vehicles that RAGBRAI brings.

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