RAGBRAI LIII, July 18 - 25
Dunlap welcomes RAGBRAI riders for first time in decades
By Jill Schaben
Harrison County Times-Reporter
RAGBRAI will roll through Dunlap this summer, marking a long-awaited return for one of Iowa’s most iconic events.
Dunlap has been named the first official meeting town for RAGBRAI LIII, scheduled for July 18-25, 2026.
Riders will travel east through town along Highway 37 on Sunday, July 19, bringing thousands of cyclists and visitors into the community.
RAGBRAI, organized by The Des Moines Register, is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world.
The annual seven-day ride spans the state of Iowa and draws participants from all 50 states and several countries. The 2026 route will begin in Onawa, where riders will stay overnight July 18, before continuing along a route through Harlan, Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence and Dyersville, ending in Dubuque. This year’s route covers 391.4 miles with 16,027 feet of climb, making it the shortest route in the event’s history and its 10th hilliest.
The first stretch of the ride will take bikers from Onawa to Harlan, passing through Turin, Soldier, Dunlap (meeting town), Earling and Westphalia. This stretch is 59.3 miles with 3,506 feet of climb.
Local leaders are already preparing for the influx of visitors. The Dunlap Community Development Corporation (DCDC) in partnership with the City of Dunlap, is forming a planning committee to coordinate logistics, including parking, barricades, food and vendor permits, decorations and entertainment.
Community members and organizations interested in participating are encouraged to contact DCDC for more information. Volunteers will also be needed throughout the day, with additional details to be shared on the Dunlap Iowa Facebook page as plans develop.
The 2026 ride will mark the first time RAGBRAI has come through Dunlap since 1983, when the town last hosted riders during RAGBRAI XI. With more than four decades since its last visit, Dunlap officials say the community is eager to once again welcome riders and showcase local hospitality as RAGBRAI LIII makes its way across western Iowa.
To register for RAGBRAI, visit www.ragbrai.com.
