This year’s RAGBRAI was an incredible experience, filled with familiar faces and new connections. We interacted with thousands of riders, locals, support crews, and passers-by, strengthening our community and spreading the word about Iowa’s charm. It’s a long week, but it’s always worth it to showcase just how cool Iowa truly is.
It was the hilliest route on record and a Southern route to boot. You all took it like a CHAMP and we could tell it by your faces. Sure, some hills hurt, but you made it through and your are already looking to sign up for next year!
Kudos to the RAGBRAI leadership, their team, law enforcement, and all the town committees and volunteers for flawlessly hosting such a massive event. This year-long undertaking showcases the dedication of everyone involved, and we’re thrilled to play a small part in it.
Our Small Batch Philosophy
At BIKEIOWA, we pride ourselves on being a "small batch shop." We bring our entire inventory with us on the road for the week, with most styles limited to 100 pieces or fewer. We rarely produce more than 200 items per style, ensuring our designs remain unique and exclusive.
Some items sell out quickly, while others don’t. Once we return, we re-inventory what’s left and add those items to our online store, some at deep discounts. Sizes and styles are limited, so once they’re gone, they’re gone.
We enjoy the design process and hope you appreciate our unique designs and small quantities as much as we appreciate your support.
Our online store has re-opened - Shop Now
Special Re-release: "Iowa - Flat as a Waffle"
We’ve brought back the popular "Iowa - Flat as a Waffle" jersey and crew shirt, with pre-orders open until August 14th and delivery set for the week of September 23rd.
This was a design we first created in 2022 as a t-shirt, then added jerseys, crews and tanks in 2023.
Since this was the hilliest route on record, this design was popular, but we only had a few items on our clearance rack.
Just remember - Waffles are just pancakes with abs!
Order yours here.
BIKEIOWA: We Are More Than Just T-shirts
BIKEIOWA apparel is only a small part of what we do. Here’s a glimpse of our broader impact:
- Hosting the Largest Cycling Event Calendar in the Midwest: We promote over 1,000 annual rides, races, and charity events.
- Organizing Diverse Cycling Events: From gravel and cyclocross to mountain biking and cruisers, we organize rides, training, races, and clinics.
- Showcasing Iowa: We highlight trails, cities and bicycle-friendly businesses across the state.
- Grassroots Advocacy: Working with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and other advocacy groups, we strive to make Iowa safer for cyclists.
- Sharing News and Reviews: We provide cycling news, features and reviews from all over Iowa.
- RAGBRAI Inspection Ride: Ensuring the route is safe each June by riding the entire route, meeting with committees, educating business owners and inspecting the road and traffic patterns.
- Annual Des Moines Ride of Silence: Honoring fallen cyclists (commemorating 20 years in 2024). See 2024 event.
- Iowa Bike Shop Tour: Participating in the December tour to visit each bike shop in the state in one week.
- Enhancing Trails and Roads: Collaborating with local governments, conservation, and parks departments to make our trails, bike lanes, and roads safe, connective and as bike-friendly as possible.
- Promoting Local Shopping: Supporting local bike shops and businesses.
- Marketing Iowa Bicycle Tourism: Encouraging everyone to Ride. Stay. Play. #staycation.
- Developing Innovative Products: such as Pogie Lites and the BANDito Sling which have sold world-wide and still made in Iowa.
- Connecting Communities: linking 1,033 Iowa communities and 340 trails with cyclists all over the world since 2001.
The "Other Ride" - Nope.
Oh Yeah - We are NOT the "Other Ride" who tried to compete with RAGBRAI in 2019. That was a whole other debacle.
We are "BIKEIOWA". They were "Iowa's Ride". Each day we are on route, we explain this a few times. See all the News about it here.
Our Partners
A shout-out to Primal Wear, T-shirt Graphix and Bike Rags. These are our partners who help us make the designs and apparel that you love!
Also our Sponsors - These are the Bicycle-Friendly businesses who advertise with us. The bike shops, bars, breweries, cities, clubs, trail orgs and service providers like jewelers, insurance, financial advisors, lawyers and event a bail bondsman!
RAGBRAI and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition also play a big part in what we do throughout the year.
A HUGE Thanks to Tyler for overseeing the booth space and set-up this year! Also to Serena, Mary, Melissa and Doug for volunteering prior to and during the week!
We couldn't do what we do without them all. Please support them as they support us!
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Thank you for being part of our journey and RIDE SAFE!
Scott & Tyler