Route, mileage for Day 1 of 53rd RAGBRAI: Onawa to Harlan

July 15, 2026

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Route, mileage for Day 1 of 53rd RAGBRAI: Onawa to Harlan

REQUIREMENTS ARE MET BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO. WE ARE EIGHT DAYS AWAY FROM RAGBRAI AND A LOT OF RIDERS ARE GETTING READY IN STYLE. YEAH. YOU KNOW THEY WANT TO LOOK GOOD RIGHT? LOOK GOOD, PERFORM GOOD. HAVE A GREAT TIME OUT THERE. SO WE WANT YOU TO CONSIDER SOMETHING SPECIAL. THESE ARE THE SHORT BIBS. CHECK THEM OUT. THEY STARTED AS AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE. BUT NOW ORGANIZERS ARE TURNING THAT IDEA INTO A REALITY. THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF, FOLKS, RAGBRAI SAYS. WHAT’S HOLDING THEM UP THERE? WHAT ARE WHAT ARE THOSE STRAPS? WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THOSE ARE. YEAH, BUT LIKE, WHAT’S IT MADE OUT OF? IT’S NOT LIKE A SUSPENDER. RIGHT? NO. GOSH, NO. I THINK IT’S PROBABLY COTTON. HOPEFULLY. NICE BREATHABLE MATERIAL. ALWAYS GOOD. ON HOT DAYS, RIDERS CAN BUY A PA

RAGBRAI 2026 Day 1: Route, things to do from Onawa to Harlan

Updated: 4:45 PM CDT Jul 15, 2026

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The 2026 edition of RAGBRAI marks the 53rd bicycle ride across Iowa — from the Missouri River to the Mississippi. This year’s ride is the shortest ever, covering 391 miles, starting in Onawa on Sunday, July 19, and ending in Dubuque on Saturday, July 25. Here’s what riders can look forward to during Sunday’s 59.4-mile ride from Onawa to Harlan. Day 1: Sunday, July 19 – Onawa to HarlanMileage: 59.4 milesElevation: 3,535 feetGravel option: Turin 4.5 miles, Soldier 0.8 miles, Dunlap 5.3 milesPass-through towns: Dunlap (meeting town), Turin, Soldier, Earling, WestphaliaConcert: Jordan Beem (2-4 p.m.), Aftershock (4:30-7:30 p.m.), Decoy (8-11 p.m.)Theme: Tire Dip – Mile of Silence: Ride in silence to remember those we’ve lost on bicycles.History: This will be the seventh time Harlan has served as an overnight host. The city previously hosted in 1976, 1983, 1994, 2000, 2008, and 2013.Weather: High 93°F, Low 72°F; Check out KCCI’s daily forecast here.Don’t miss:Rusty Rubbish LLC: Head on down to this small local business home décor store and get some antiques, vintage, and newish items to spice up your home.Chair & Sports Massage: Take a break and head over to Soothing Hands Message and Nails for a 15-minute message for only $25 for relaxation and recovery.Civil War Memorial: At the Shelby County Courthouse you can see some of Harlan’s history such as, the old downtown buildings, and a large memorial on the lawn plus more beautiful architecture.

ONAWA, Iowa —

Here’s what riders can look forward to during Sunday’s 59.4-mile ride from Onawa to Harlan.

Day 1: Sunday, July 19 – Onawa to Harlan

Mileage: 59.4 miles

Elevation: 3,535 feet

Gravel option: Turin 4.5 miles, Soldier 0.8 miles, Dunlap 5.3 miles

Pass-through towns: Dunlap (meeting town), Turin, Soldier, Earling, Westphalia

Concert: Jordan Beem (2-4 p.m.), Aftershock (4:30-7:30 p.m.), Decoy (8-11 p.m.)

Theme: Tire Dip – Mile of Silence: Ride in silence to remember those we’ve lost on bicycles.

History: This will be the seventh time Harlan has served as an overnight host. The city previously hosted in 1976, 1983, 1994, 2000, 2008, and 2013.

Weather: High 93°F, Low 72°F; Check out KCCI’s daily forecast here.

Don’t miss:

Rusty Rubbish LLC: Head on down to this small local business home décor store and get some antiques, vintage, and newish items to spice up your home.
Chair & Sports Massage: Take a break and head over to Soothing Hands Message and Nails for a 15-minute message for only $25 for relaxation and recovery.
Civil War Memorial: At the Shelby County Courthouse you can see some of Harlan’s history such as, the old downtown buildings, and a large memorial on the lawn plus more beautiful architecture.