There's no getting around it: This could well be the most challenging day of RAGBRAI's 50th anniversary ride, with the longest mileage and the most elevation gain combined with excessive heat.
Thursday's route
Des Moines to Tama-Toledo, a journey from Iowa's biggest city to the smallest overnight host on the route.
What to know
The ride will retrace its route out of Des Moines, but continue east past the Iowa Capitol and take a detour through the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where there will be opportunities for photo stops and, potentially, picking up some fair food. The climbing starts quickly after that, as the ride ascends out of the Des Moines River valley.