TAMA, Iowa — Riders continued their RAGBRAI L journey Thursday, leaving Des Moines with the hopes of beating the heat on the long trip ahead.
Thursday's RAGBRAI route is an 88.9-mile ride — the longest day this year, distance-wise — from Des Moines to Tama-Toledo. Other towns on the route include Altoona, Newton and Grinnell.
Adam, a cyclist from Sauk Centre, Minn., has participated in RAGBRAI three times. But this year is different.
"This is like double the people I've ever seen," Adam said. "But, you know what? You gotta live life. Get out here and adventure. Get on a bike and pedal."
The Day 5 route presents cyclists with an extra challenge: In addition to the longest trip, it marks the greatest ascent cyclists will make during the week-long ride, climbing 4,218 feet.
"It's been a challenge. We're always havin' fun, but physically it's been a challenge between the mileage, the heat and the elevation climbing," biker Andy Sienkiewich, a California native, told Local 5.
Temperatures hit the mid-to upper-90s Thursday, with humidity sending heat indices into triple digits. Some places even felt like 105-110° at times.
"Especially today, the hills just kept coming and coming, and it being almost a 90 mile day you know, pushing it to the brink," cyclist Joel O'Brien said.
Newton's heat index was 105° around 1 p.m.
"You have to be able to pay the price to ride the bike," Sienkiewich said.
As such, all of Iowa is under a Heat Advisory until Friday evening, with portions of southeast Iowa under a rare Excessive Heat Warning.
"The heat's the heat. You just got to stay hydrated," Adam said. "Eat some watermelon, eat some ice cream, Throw a pie in there once in a while. Just stay cool."
Thursday's theme is Military Appreciation Day.
SEE MORE: Team coverage of RAGBRAI L
Today's RAGBRAI route
Bikers departed Des Moines for Tama-Toledo between 4 and 6 a.m. on Thursday, heading east to Altoona.
Other towns along the route include:
- Mitchellville
- Altoona
- Colfax
- Newton
- Kellogg
- Grinnell
According to Des Moines police, officers reported for RAGBRAI duty starting at 4 a.m. Thursday in order to guide people through the expectant traffic. Police created maps specifying road closures in neighborhoods around the city, including Highland Park, Union Park, Historic East Village and more.
Entertainment Schedule
All concerts will take place at Toledo Heights Park.
- 2:30 p.m. — Under Current
- 4 p.m. — Earth Wind & Fire Tribute Band
- 6:15 p.m. — Not Quite Brothers
- 8:30 p.m. — Foghat