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RAGBRAI 2026 announces 250+ kilometer double loop for America 250
TL;DR
RAGBRAI 2026 will feature a challenging 250+ kilometer double loop on Day 5, allowing riders to complete up to 159.6 miles. This route celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States.
Key points
- RAGBRAI 2026 features a 250+ kilometer double loop.
- Day 5 includes an 83.2-mile ride from Marshalltown to Independence.
- Riders can add 21.1 miles on the Karras Century Loop.
- The total distance can reach 159.6 miles.
- The route celebrates the United States' 250th birthday.
RAGBRAI riders love a challenge, as shown by the number who every year ride the added mileage of the Century Loop to get in a 100-mile day.
But this year, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will pose a double challenge.
Riders on Day 5, an 83.2-mile grind from Marshalltown to Independence on July 23 that's already the ride's longest, will not only be able to add 21.1 miles on the Karras Century Loop for a total of 104.3 miles, but can opt to add a whopping 76.4 on a second loop. That's a total of 159.6 miles, more than 250 kilometers, a figure chosen to honor the United States' 250th birthday.
The Karras Century Loop on Day 5 of RAGBRAI 2026.
“I’ve heard from countless riders, by email and phone, asking if we could create a 250‑mile day to celebrate America,” RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen said in a statement as he announced the double loop Friday, May 1. “On a week‑long ride like RAGBRAI, that’s a tall order, so we took the spirit of that idea and transformed it into a 159.6-mile loop ― equivalent to 250 kilometers.”
Riders who complete the America 250 Double Loop will earn a commemorative America 250 challenge coin and the novelty of passing through the town of Jesup three separate times in one day. They'll also rack up 4,790 feet of elevation gain.
The America 250 Double Loop on Day 5 of RAGBRAI 2026.
The greatest achievement of all: They'll be completing the longest one-day ride in RAGBRAI history, surpassing a 150-mile circuit in 1996 that celebrated Iowa's 150th year as a state.
Century Loop riders will get a healthy total of 3,083 feet of gain and will receive the customary commemorative patch.
A rider holds a bike in front of an American flag on RAGBRAI 52 in 2025.
RAGBRAI riders roll out of Orange City beginning to begin RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
RAGBRAI riders roll out of Orange City to begin RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
A bike sits in a storefront during Day 1 of RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Hartley.
RAGBRAI Day 6 riders pass under a large U.S. flag, on Friday, July 25, 2025, as they ride into Oelwein.
Riders stop at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent as RAGBRAI rolls toward Ottumwa, Thursday, August 25, 2024.
Riders park their bikes in downtown Greenfield during Day 3 of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
RAGBRAI riders roll toward Elliott on the way to Atlantic Monday, July 22, 2024.
Riders stop in Griswold during Day 2 of RAGBRAI on Sunday, July 22, 2024.
Magick K Acoustic performs to a crowd of riders during RAGBRAI 2024 on Sunday, July 22, 2024.
Riders stop for breakfast in Early on RAGBRAI 50 Monday, July 24, 2023.
RAGBRAI riders wave as enter the Jack Trice Stadium to finish the Day 3 of the ride, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State cheerleaders cheer as RAGBRAI riders enter the Jack Trice Stadium to finish the Day 3 of the ride, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
RAGBRAI participants enjoy music in downtown Ames during day 3 of the ride Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Ames Police sniper team watches the RAGBRAI entertainment from the rooftop of a downtown building during day 3 of the ride Tuesday, July 25, 2023..
Rose Willey and Rylie McCannon, both of Urbandale, chat after arriving in Ida Grove during the first day of RAGBRAI Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Cyclists make their way along the route to Ida Grove during the first day of RAGBRAI Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Justin Watkins and Greg Griffin ride with American flags draped over them on their way out of Sergeant Bluff on the first day of RAGBRAI, Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Jody Waechter carries a case of water bottles to hand out to riders during the fourth day of RAGBRAI, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
Riders take a break while visiting historical society museums during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Marble Rock, Iowa.
A sign welcomes riders into town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Marble Rock, Iowa.
The Anderegg sisters Sully, 5, Sawyer, 3, and Murphy, 1, wave American flags as riders roll out of town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, outside of Mason City, Iowa.
Sawyer Anderegg, 3, left, and her sister Sully, 5, wave American flags as riders roll out of town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, outside of Mason City, Iowa.
Cyclists roll into New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
Cyclists fill up the streets of New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
Cyclists pass under a large U.S. flag as they roll into New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
Riders stop for breakfast in Gunder on the last day of RAGBRAI, Saturday, July 30, 2022.
Riders roll out of West Union on the last Day of RAGBRAI, Saturday, July 30, 2022.
Team Liver Strong does yoga moves to the song 'Yoga" by Janelle Mon‡e at the Lake City Country Club as RAGBRAI rides toward Fort Dodge on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Cyclists roll out of Fort Dodge to start out Day Three of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The day included an optional gravel route that took riders over 70 miles with nearly 1,400 feet of climb.
Cyclists roll out of Fort Dodge to start out Day Three of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The day included an optional gravel route that took riders over 70 miles with nearly 1,400 feet of climb.
Cyclists roll into Webster City during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
Cyclists roll into Webster City during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
RAGBRAI cyclists roll out of Ackley and on to Austinville on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Team Air Force rider Carlo Narvasa of Cheyenne, Wyoming, tests his grip strength hanging for 85 seconds as RAGBRAI riders stop in Calamus on Friday, July 30, 2021.
Riders roll into Clinton on the final day of RAGBRAI Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Cyclists ride eastward to Adair during RAGBRAI on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Stephanie Vandehaar of Duluth, Minn., fires a melon out of a canon and into a field at Howell's Greenhouse near Cumming during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
Dylan Hubbell, Mayfield, New York. First RAGBRAI.
A patriotic cyclist rolls into Troy during RAGBRAI on Thursday, July 25, 2019, in southern Iowa.
Dale Kittleson. Decorah, Iowa.
An Iowa flag waves while riders park bikes around the town square during RAGBRAI on day six, Friday, July 26, 2019, at the midpoint town in Salem, Iowa.
RAGBRAI riders kick off day seven, Saturday, July 27, 2019, outside West Burlington, Iowa.
RAGBRAI riders make it to the top of the hill at Rand Park while nearing the finish of the 427 mile route on day seven, Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Keokuk, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
A rider holds a bike in front of an American flag on RAGBRAI 52 in 2025.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
A rider holds a bike in front of an American flag on RAGBRAI 52 in 2025.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders roll out of Orange City beginning to begin RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders roll out of Orange City to begin RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
A bike sits in a storefront during Day 1 of RAGBRAI 52 on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Hartley.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI Day 6 riders pass under a large U.S. flag, on Friday, July 25, 2025, as they ride into Oelwein.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders stop at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent as RAGBRAI rolls toward Ottumwa, Thursday, August 25, 2024.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders park their bikes in downtown Greenfield during Day 3 of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders roll toward Elliott on the way to Atlantic Monday, July 22, 2024.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders stop in Griswold during Day 2 of RAGBRAI on Sunday, July 22, 2024.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Magick K Acoustic performs to a crowd of riders during RAGBRAI 2024 on Sunday, July 22, 2024.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders stop for breakfast in Early on RAGBRAI 50 Monday, July 24, 2023.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders wave as enter the Jack Trice Stadium to finish the Day 3 of the ride, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Iowa State cheerleaders cheer as RAGBRAI riders enter the Jack Trice Stadium to finish the Day 3 of the ride, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI participants enjoy music in downtown Ames during day 3 of the ride Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Ames Police sniper team watches the RAGBRAI entertainment from the rooftop of a downtown building during day 3 of the ride Tuesday, July 25, 2023..
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Rose Willey and Rylie McCannon, both of Urbandale, chat after arriving in Ida Grove during the first day of RAGBRAI Sunday, July 24, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists make their way along the route to Ida Grove during the first day of RAGBRAI Sunday, July 24, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Justin Watkins and Greg Griffin ride with American flags draped over them on their way out of Sergeant Bluff on the first day of RAGBRAI, Sunday, July 24, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Jody Waechter carries a case of water bottles to hand out to riders during the fourth day of RAGBRAI, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders take a break while visiting historical society museums during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Marble Rock, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
A sign welcomes riders into town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Marble Rock, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
The Anderegg sisters Sully, 5, Sawyer, 3, and Murphy, 1, wave American flags as riders roll out of town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, outside of Mason City, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Sawyer Anderegg, 3, left, and her sister Sully, 5, wave American flags as riders roll out of town during the fifth day of RAGBRAI, Thursday, July 28, 2022, outside of Mason City, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists roll into New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists fill up the streets of New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists pass under a large U.S. flag as they roll into New Hampton during RAGBRAI on Friday, July 29, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders stop for breakfast in Gunder on the last day of RAGBRAI, Saturday, July 30, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders roll out of West Union on the last Day of RAGBRAI, Saturday, July 30, 2022.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Team Liver Strong does yoga moves to the song 'Yoga" by Janelle Mon‡e at the Lake City Country Club as RAGBRAI rides toward Fort Dodge on Monday, July 26, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists roll out of Fort Dodge to start out Day Three of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The day included an optional gravel route that took riders over 70 miles with nearly 1,400 feet of climb.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists roll out of Fort Dodge to start out Day Three of RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The day included an optional gravel route that took riders over 70 miles with nearly 1,400 feet of climb.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists roll into Webster City during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists roll into Webster City during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI cyclists roll out of Ackley and on to Austinville on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Team Air Force rider Carlo Narvasa of Cheyenne, Wyoming, tests his grip strength hanging for 85 seconds as RAGBRAI riders stop in Calamus on Friday, July 30, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Riders roll into Clinton on the final day of RAGBRAI Saturday, July 31, 2021.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Cyclists ride eastward to Adair during RAGBRAI on Monday, July 22, 2019.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Stephanie Vandehaar of Duluth, Minn., fires a melon out of a canon and into a field at Howell's Greenhouse near Cumming during RAGBRAI on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
39 / 47
American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Velorosa co-founders Kim Hopkins, left, and Lisa Carponelli, right, pose for a photo as cyclists on RAGBRAI roll out of Indianola on their way to the eventual day 4 end town of Centerville on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The cycling clothing lined focuses on designing clothes for women and was born when the pair were riding on RAGBRAI.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Dylan Hubbell, Mayfield, New York. First RAGBRAI.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
A patriotic cyclist rolls into Troy during RAGBRAI on Thursday, July 25, 2019, in southern Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
Dale Kittleson. Decorah, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
An Iowa flag waves while riders park bikes around the town square during RAGBRAI on day six, Friday, July 26, 2019, at the midpoint town in Salem, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders kick off day seven, Saturday, July 27, 2019, outside West Burlington, Iowa.
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American flags on RAGBRAI through the years
RAGBRAI riders make it to the top of the hill at Rand Park while nearing the finish of the 427 mile route on day seven, Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Keokuk, Iowa.
The double loop and Century Loop will share some roads, but century riders will go around just once, while the double loop riders will make two circuits of their longer loop, beginning, passing through and ending in Jesup.
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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: America 250 Double Loop on RAGBRAI 2026 will add 250+ kilometers
Q&A
What is the total distance for the double loop on Day 5 of RAGBRAI 2026?
The total distance for the double loop on Day 5 of RAGBRAI 2026 is 159.6 miles, which exceeds 250 kilometers.
Why is RAGBRAI 2026 featuring a 250+ kilometer route?
The 250+ kilometer route is designed to honor the 250th birthday of the United States.
What is the Karras Century Loop in RAGBRAI 2026?
The Karras Century Loop is an optional addition on Day 5 that allows riders to extend their ride by 21.1 miles.
When does RAGBRAI 2026 take place?
RAGBRAI 2026 will take place from July 23, with the longest ride occurring on Day 5.