By Josh Hafner, Des Moines Register
In its 40th year, RAGBRAI will take more than 10,000 bike riders over
the hill — several, actually — in a more leisurely route promising
less legwork than last year but just as many memories.
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa — the world’s
oldest, largest and longest tour of its kind — begins this year in
Sioux Center and ends 471 miles later in Clinton.
In between, riders will stop overnight in Cherokee, Lake View, Webster
City, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids and Anamosa.
RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz described the massive undertaking as
a state-wide celebration that connects riders from around the world
with the hospitality and culture of Iowa.
“There are no beaches. No mountains,” he said. “We’re riding through
corn and bean fields. And that’s OK, because when we come into these
towns, it feels like you won the Tour de France.”
No word yet on whether past Tour de France winners and RAGBRAI
participants Lance Armstrong and Greg LaMond will join in, but
Juskiewicz expects about 60 percent of the riders to be from places
outside Iowa, including some 20 countries.
This year’s ride is July 21-28.
The festival on wheels carries an economic boost for host cities, too.
Juskiewicz said an economic study from the University of Northern Iowa
two years ago found the festival brings $24 million in new spending to
Iowa, or $3 million for each hosting town.
The event’s theme this year is “Celebrating 40 Years of Iowa,” and its
less-intensive route should afford space to pause and reflect: The
route is the 18th-shortest in RABRAI history and the 11th-flattest.
Only eight routes since the ride’s 1973 inception have been easier.
Don’t expect it to be a total joyride, though: While riders of all
ages and skill levels take part in RAGBRAI (the average age is 45),
organizers discourage the untrained. Many participants, Juskiewicz
said, will start prepping today.

Riders entering Webster City on July 24 will find a long-delayed
homecoming: The city hasn’t hosted RAGBRAI since 1980 — 32 years ago.
Cedar Rapids, the largest overnight town on the list, hasn’t put up
riders since a 2008 flood ravaged the town in what some called “a
tsunami of the prairie.”
While the precise number of towns that riders will pass through on
their river-to-river run won’t be released until March, here’s what’s
known about the route: Riders should pace themselves for the stretch
between Marshalltown and Cedar Rapids. It will be their hilliest day
with a 3,576-foot climb. At 84.8 miles, it will also be the longest.
Returning riders should feel confident, though; Despite a shorter
distance, last year’s route featured more hill-climbing on day one
than this year’s route does in the first three days.
In summary listed below are the overnight towns:
•       Sioux Center – Saturday, July 21
•       Cherokee – Sunday, July 22
•       Lake View – Monday, July 23
•       Webster City – Tuesday, July 24
•       Marshalltown – Wednesday, July 25
•       Cedar Rapids – Thursday, July 26
•       Anamosa – Friday, July 27
•       Clinton – Saturday, July 28

Wilson Brewer Historic Park is looking for donations to aid ongoing
improvements being made to the museum buildings, displays and grounds
surrounding its six historic buildings in Webster City.
To that end, the museum board and volunteers have put together a wish
list. Included in that list are white cotton sheets, audio/visual
equipment, lint roller and refills, good magnifying glass, clothing
brushes, and tools, including a small drill with bits, wire cutters,
regular and needle-nose pliers, assorted screwdrivers, and a large
level.
Other items wanted include alligator clips, wooden hangers, assorted
peg board hooks, Scotch tape, double-sided Scotch tape, plate holders,
small easels, display stands, picture hanging supplies, wall hooks,
W-D 40, metal cleaner, gun oil, leather cleaner and oil, small brass
safety pins, and a vacuum cleaner in good condition.
The museum staff is also in need of a supply of large-size acid-free
tissue paper, various padded display frames, large shadow box display
frames, storage tubs with lids, under-bed plastic tubs with lids,
laminating paper, T-pins, 2-inch-long “silk” pins, and a supply of
foam board and poster board.
The museum is also always in need of cash donations.
If you would like to donate to the Wilson Brewer Historic Park museum
effort, contact Kent Harfst at (515) 832-9193.