Harlan named first overnight stop for 2026 RAGBRAI

HARLAN - An estimated 20,000 participants of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will stop over in Shelby County July 19, as Harlan was named the first overnight community for the 53rd RAGBRAI. 
Harlan Mayor Jay Christensen  and  other Harlan municipal representatives attended  the RAGBRAI Announcement Celebration Saturday, January 24 at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. 
The 2026 ride will start in Onawa, then participants will travel 58.5 miles to Shelby County. Following the overnight stop in Harlan, riders will travel through Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence, Dyersville and Dubuque. Organizers say the 2026 route is the shortest in the history of the event at 391 miles, however, will feature more than 16,000 feet of climbing.
Harlan City Administrator Gervas Mjonga said being an overnight community   is a unique opportunity for Harlan to showcase the community to visitors from across the state and beyond. 
“As one of Iowa’s signature events, RAGBRAI brings with it not only thousands of riders and support teams but also a statewide spotlight on the communities that host them,” Mjonga said. 
“This event allows us to highlight our hospitality, local businesses, parks, amenities, and the strong sense of community that defines Harlan.”
Mjonga said city officials have initiated preliminary coordination discussions to ensure Harlan is ready for the scale and logistics involved with hosting. “These initial conversations help us prepare key operational components such as transportation, overnight accommodations, vendor coordination, public safety, emergency services, route planning, and communications,” he said. 
Formal planning will begin in the coming weeks with the establishment of committees focused on areas such as route management, public safety, hospitality, entertainment, community engagement, and communications.
Once committees are formed, the city will launch a structured volunteer recruitment effort to engage residents, businesses, civic groups, and local organizations. Volunteers will serve in a variety of capacities, from greeting visitors and assisting with logistical tasks to supporting entertainment and hospitality efforts throughout the event, Mjonga said. “Harlan has a strong tradition of civic participation, and we anticipate an enthusiastic response as planning moves forward.”
This year’s theme is “An Iowa Classic,” and celebrates beloved water towers riders recognize on the horizon during the ride.
“We are excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively with partners throughout the community and region to ensure a successful event. Hosting RAGBRAI is not only a celebration of the ride itself, but a celebration of Harlan’s people and the spirit of cooperation that makes events like this possible,” Mjonga said.
The last time Harlan hosted the event was in 2013.