MUSCATINE, Iowa -- The 2016 Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, known as RAGBRAI, came to an end today on the Mississippi Riverfront in Muscatine. Thousands of cyclists came to dip their tires and celebrate their completion of a 460 mile trek across the Hawkeye state.
For people like Brent Kline, RAGBRAI is a summer staple. He's been riding in the event since 1995.
"Riding through corn fields and bean fields and the rolling hills of Iowa, just all of it is just a heck of a journey," Kline said.
RAGBRAI lasts a week and covers Iowa border to border. Along the way cyclists stop in different towns to stay the night and experience the state.
"It's unreal," Kline said. "The Iowa towns are just awesome. I absolutely love Iowa and Iowa towns. I fall more in love with it everytime I come."
The welcome-home feel each Iowa town brings is what has kept people coming back to RAGBRAI for the past 44 years.
"It's a beautiful, beautiful state," said Connie Young from California. "It's still deep in my heart. I've lived in California for three decades now, but this is home."
Young was born and raised in Muscatine. She came home to volunteer at the big finish on Saturday.
"It's a joy," she said. "I hope they have had a wonderful ride across the state. To have the race end here is always wonderful."
Growing an up an Iowan, completing her first RAGBRAI is a right of passage for 18-year-old Allison Kusick.
"I've heard about RAGBRAI before and it's come through my town a couple of times, but this is like the first time I actually participated in it, and it's a lot different than when you're just in your city and it rides through."
One of the most ceremonial parts of RAGBRAI is getting to dip your tires in the Mississippi River after crossing the finish line.
" It's an important thing and it's a memorable sort of a thing," Kline said. "Everybody always remembers dipping their tires."
Despite being worn out from the trip, most riders are already hungry for more.
"I hope I can do it forever," Kline said. "I mean I hope I can do it until I'm not here anymore. It's just an awesome experience."
Bikers ended the day with a celebration on the riverfront in Muscatine.