RAGBRAI’s Dubuque visit
RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, came to Dubuque for the first time in 16 years on July 25, 2026. The town turned out with cheering fans along the route from Chavanelle Road to the Hawthorne Street Boat Ramp, where riders concluded their ride with tire dip in the Mississippi. The 406-mile route that started in Onawa, Iowa, the previous Saturday provided two extremely hot days and then a windy day. The rest of the week had moderate summer temperatures and low wind speeds. After several strenuous hills on Pennsylvania Street and Loras Boulevard, the view from Loras College was spectacular and welcome! All downhill from here! The reception was wonderful, and the city staff and volunteers need to be commended for a well-coordinated effort. In addition, Dubuque city and county roads were in excellent condition. Thanks to all who spent hours planning for a good experience for RAGBRAI visitors. Watch the video from the City of Dubuque.
Also thanks goes to Manchester as a meeting town and to Dyersville as an overnight town. Farley, Epworth, and Centralia shared pass through town honors. Everything was well done by all these communities, who put their hearts into welcoming the RAGBRAI crowd. The Fields of Dreams was spectacular despite the mist.
Our campsite at Independence on Thursday evening. The mill, the dam, and the bridge are within view.
Entrance to Dyersville with stalks of corn (shades of Field of Dreams) emerging from the safety cones!
Field of Dreams movie site.
Divine Word College student beating the drums for the dancing lion. Vietnamese egg rolls were sold too!
At the top of Pennsylvania Street in Dubuque. There were a couple more Loras Boulevard hills yet but this was the last steep hill.
Hawthorne Street Boat Ramp at A. Y. McDonald Park for the Mississippi dip site for RAGBRAI 53