Iowa RAGBRAI “Pass-Through” Towns Ready to Show Off [PHOTOS]

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.

Day 1, Sunday, July 24: Sergeant Bluff to Ida Grove

• Miles: 53.2
• Feet of climb: 2,545
• Themes: Air Force 75th Anniversary Celebration, Mile of Silence
  • Pass-through towns
  • Bronson
  • Battle Creek
    • Meeting town: Anthon (Highlight: home of the world hiccup record-holder, Charles Osborne)

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

Day 3, Tuesday, July 26: Pocahontas to Emmetsburg

• Miles: 56.4
• Feet of climb: 756
• Theme: Dream Team 25th Anniversary
  • Pass-through towns:
  •  Havelock
  •  Rolfe
    • Meeting town: West Bend (Home of the famous "Grotto of Redemption".)

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)
    • Meeting town: Britt (Home of the "National Hobo Museum")

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
  • Pass-through town:
  • Rockford (home of the Fossil and Prairie Creek Preserve)
    • Meeting town: Marble Rock

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

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