RAGBRAI 2022 begins with thousands more riders than last year

Anthon — RAGBRAI is back and bigger than ever.

As riders in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa left Sergeant Bluff on Sunday for their first-day trek through the Loess Hills to Ida Grove, the roads were packed.

Official registration is up about 3,000 people to more than 18,000 from last year, when RAGBRAI returned from a 2020 COVID-19 hiatus, said RAGBRAI Marketing Director Anne Lawrie. That's a 20% increase.

It meant there were some trickier riding conditions for participants like Julie and Jason Andress, of Manchos, Colorado, as they flew down hills past other riders on their tandem bike at speeds near 40 mph.

More: See the full RAGBRAI 2022 route, maps and day-by-day distance, towns and details

“It’s harder today just because of all the people,” said Jason Andres, who is on his 15th RAGBRAI. “When you’re on a tandem and there’s people spread across the road you lose all your momentum.”

Pat Deignan, who rode last year, said he also noticed the larger crowds this year, but he doesn't mind. Waiting in a long line for a smoothie, the Cedar Rapids cyclist said the congestion was worse as riders left Sergeant Bluff, the starting town,.

"At the first town everyone stops to get something to eat and spreads out," he said. "If you're not ready to wait 20 minutes for something good, you shouldn't be here."

Weather takes a turn for the better

For the most part, riders were like Deignan — just happy to be starting their seven-day journey to Lansing on the Mississippi River. Buoying the mood was the weather — a gorgeous day in the 80s after a sweltering Saturday in Sergeant Bluff, where the temperature edged toward 100 degrees before an evening rainstorm brought relief.

Randy Giehls, 62, said he was enjoying the day even though Sunday's ride, with 2,545 feet of elevation gain, is the second-hilliest of the route.

More: Register database puts 49 years of facts about RAGBRAI towns at your fingertips

"I didn’t know there would be that many hills. After that first town I was like, 'Oh, no,'" he said, but added, "The weather after that storm last night has made this a great day."

The lower temperature also was a blessing for Cole Feltner, 26, who was on his first RAGBRAI and was struggling after about 21 miles of the steep terrain. He had more than 32 miles to go.

”I’m dying. I try to check my pulse and I’m like just stay under 200 (heartbeats per minute),” Feltner said.

Some ride RAGBRAI to stay alive

For others, the challenge just added to the joy of being alive.

On his second RAGBRAI in 2017, Jim Lichty, now 68, suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed off his bike. The odds of surviving were against him, but he was lucky.

“I tipped over next to a CPR instructor who basically saved my life,” said the Sioux Falls resident.

Medical crews took him to the hospital, where he woke up two days later. The next year, he got right back on his bike.

“The reason I do it is to keep me young as possible,” he said. “This is my way of cheating death.”

More: As travel becomes easier, more international riders are participating in RAGBRAI

Edward Roman, 76, also is in it for his health. He will hit 800 consecutive days of biking or running during the ride, which he's making with son Justin.

The Sacramento, California, resident said his health has become a priority during the pandemic.

For Justin Roman, who lives in Portland, Oregon, the priority was just bonding with his father and letting go of the stress of everyday life.

“It’s a week of searching out your basic needs, so you kind of let all your worries go away,” he said.

Riders making and celebrating connections

For Cara Mack and Riley Godfredson, both 25 of Storm Lake, their bonding will soon become permanent when they get married in October in Davenport. Mack wore a veil on the back of her bike helmet, with a sign on a box on the back of her bike that said “Last Ride Before a Bride” and displaying her Venmo handle @RAGBRAIBRIDE.

“Fill that up,” Godfredson, owner of Lake Shore Cyclery in Storm Lake, said of the box. “We’ve got to afford this wedding.”

Kate McCann, of Davenport, a first-timer, was riding with friend Margret Millar, a veteran of 23 RAGBRAIs. McCann, who grew up with adoptive parents in Michigan and lived in Utah until recently, moved to Davenport six months ago after decades of visiting Iowa to reconnect with her biological family.

More: Why do RAGBRAI cyclists ride across Iowa? For some it's a memory while for others, an adventure

McCann has been on other long bike tours, but she said felt especially excited about RAGBRAI as she ate breakfast in Bronson.

“Now that I live here I’m going to do it!” McCann said. “This is my first of many.”

Philip Joens covers public safety, city government and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens. 

Sarah LeBlanc covers the western suburbs for the Register. Reach her at 515-284-8161 or sleblanc@registermedia.com. Follower her on Twitter at @sarahkayleblanc

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Day 1 of RAGBRAI 2022 starts with 18,000 registered bike riders