The State of Iowa is getting ready to see thousands of bicyclists hit the road as RAGBRAI starts up.
Sunday, July 20, 2014 will be the start of the 42nd annual journey that takes bikers all the way from Rock Valley in western Iowa to Guttenberg in eastern Iowa. The group will end there Saturday, July 26 at the Mississippi River.
The journey may start on the western side, but Quad Citians have been gearing up for the ride locally.
“Business pretty much explodes before RAGBRAI,” said Jeremiah Johnson, sales manager with Bike One: Bicycle Shop in Moline. Johnson said they see an increase in sales and business up to three weeks before the event.
As they start the ride, the National Weather Service is forecasting highs around 87 with a southern wind of 10 – 15 mph, increasing later in the afternoon. Follow the weather with StormTrack 8 as riders head east toward the Quad Cities throughout the week.
Bicyclists will travel 431 miles total. Click here to see each day’s route.