Top 8 Tips for Riding RAGBRAI 2023

The world’s largest party on two wheels is fast approaching – are you ready for it? The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and embarks from Sioux City, its original starting place, on July 22. Maybe you’ve cut corners on your training regime (you’re not alone) or simply searching for some last-minute advice— we’ve put together a list of RAGBRAI tips to ensure you’ll have a great week.

Here at ROKFORM, we are experts in rugged phone cases and durable accessories built for an active lifestyle. Avid cyclists who ride long distances, whether it’s high-mileage training or multi-day tours, know that having the right gear is crucial. Keep your phone protected with ROKFORM mountable phone cases and secure it to your bike with the V4 Pro Series Bike Phone Mount or Sport Series Bike Phone Mount. Ride with confidence and enjoy easy access to your phone’s GPS, messaging, and cycling apps!

This summer, ROKFORM is joining the party and creating a blog series about RAGBRAI L. I will be completing the ride this year with my father (a seasoned RAGBRAI veteran) and bringing along plenty of ROKFORM gear to help us out along the way. This blog is the second blog of the series, following our first post explaining the origins of this famous Iowan event and what to expect during its 50th edition. We’ll be sharing unique stories and photos from this year’s ride on July 22-29!

RAGBRAI is far from being a backcountry bicycle expedition, but the week-long ride still requires a bit of training and preparation in advance. RAGBRAI riders love to not take themselves too seriously, so there’s no reason to stress out or wildly over-prepare. If you run into problems during the ride, there are plenty of fellow riders and other resources that will help you out. That said, there are several top tips that are worth knowing beforehand so you can be prepared for the serious amount of pedaling and partying that lies ahead.

It’s never too late to start training for RAGBRAI. That said, getting a few miles in the week before probably won’t boost your fitness at all, but at least you can say you did something. Remember that RAGBRAI isn’t a race and riders will ride at their own pace, so the real challenge is daily distance.

This year’s route features days that measure between 50 to 80ish miles, with three days coming in a smidge over 80 miles. Plan ahead and go on extended group rides before RAGBRAI. The biggest tip is to make sure that the first day of RAGBRAI isn’t the first time you are completing a bike ride of that distance.

A great way to track your training progress is with a cycling app like Strava or Kamoot. Instead of a cycling computer, you can use your phone to easily record rides, share stats, and reach achievements.

To free up jersey pocket space and protect their phone while riding, dedicated cyclists love ROKFORM bike mounts, available in two models. The V4 Pro Series installs directly to your bike’s headset for a streamlined and secure connection. For riders who want a bit more customizability, the Sport Series Bike Mount straps anywhere along the stem or handlebars— it’s quick to attach and remove if you have multiple bikes or want to take the mount with you. 

Start the week with a healthy bike that’s operating just as it should be. Hopefully, you’re not dusting off any cobwebs, but feel free to take your bike to your local bike shop for a tune-up. Have settings like your bike seat height dialed in, and install any accessories you will want to use, such as a ROKFORM phone bike mount. This bit of bike TLC before the grand départ of RAGBRAI ensures your first day goes off without a hitch.

Take a look below at how to quickly install the V4 Pro Series Bike Mount with the help of Johnny O’Mara, 5x National Mountain Bike XC Champion and ROKFORM brand ambassador:

Whether you’re browsing social media or uploading fun pictures during the ride, it’s important to protect your smartphone from accidental drops. ROKFORM’s rugged phone cases for Apple and Samsung offer heavy-duty protection that’s perfect for outdoor activities like cycling and camping. The powerful, integrated magnets and patented ROkLock twist system let you secure it to metal surfaces and are compatible with our wide range of sturdy phone mounts.

There are also plenty of post-ride beer gardens to sip on cold beverages after a long day. It’s up to you how much you may want to imbibe. If you do decide to drink, a pro tip is to enjoy responsibly so your next day in the saddle isn’t more difficult than it needs to be.

It may not be obvious at first glance, but RAGBRAI is also known to be quite the culinary experience. You’ll be able to savor Iowan specialties such as sweet corn, pork chops, and pie— lots and lots of pie. You’ll be burning so many calories each day that you can justify virtually any guilty food pleasure, but you won’t want to ride on a full stomach all the time. Chow down on pecan pie, pork belly, and ice cream in moderation, and you’ll stay fueled up. The small-town food vendors provide delicious grub after a long time in the saddle. And if you’re a snacking cyclist like me, it’s a good idea to bring along a handful of gels or bars during the day.

Feel free to customize and adapt the packing list suggested above to your specific needs. RAGBRAI riders love to put their own spin on the week, including funny costumes and other quirky bits of gear.

While there are booming concerts each night, some riders bring the tunes with them via a portable speaker on their bike to keep the party going! ROKFORM has designed the signature G-ROK Wireless Speaker that’s built for outdoor use. While it was originally intended for golfers, it also works great as a campsite speaker or portable option to place inside a bike bag. The powerful Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, and its durable construction is perfect for summer outdoor activities.