Episode 395: A Deep Dive into the RAGBRAI LIII Full Route with Ride Director Matt Phippen

In this in-depth episode of the Just Go Bike Podcast, hosts Murph and AP welcome Ride Director Matt Phippen to unveil the full route for RAGBRAI LIII (RAGBRAI 53), the iconic Iowa bicycle journey. The episode meticulously walks through each of the seven days, detailing mileages, elevation gains, key towns, and fascinating historical and cultural fun facts. From the rolling hills of Onewa to the final climb into Dubuque, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of Iowa’s small-town charm, including paranormal legends in Erling, the historic significance of Xyra’s founding, and the legendary size of the horse Brooklyn Brookie Supreme in Ogden. The route emphasizes community spirit, with unincorporated towns like Beeman and Washburn proving that even without city governments, towns rise to meet the challenge of hosting thousands of cyclists. The episode also previews special moments like the breakfast stop at Field of Dreams, the return to historic towns like Elkhorn and Dunlop, and the final, grueling climb into Dubuque, which serves as both a physical and emotional climax to the week. Phippen confirms that the gravel route and Century Day details will be released in early May, with final route validation through an inspection ride in June.