In just five years time, one major summer event could be coming back through Greene County.

The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) designated the City of Jefferson as an overnight stop along its route in 2018. The organizers have already announced this year’s route with its overnight stops, and while Jefferson won’t be an overnight stop, Greene County may play a part of RAGBRAI.

Part of the main route has overnight stops in Carroll and Ames, which Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community Executive Director Matt Wetrich believes Greene County could be a pass through. He and his wife Toni were the organizers for the overnight stop in Jefferson during RAGBRAI in 2018. He is hopeful that RAGBRAI will come back through the county one way or another.

“A little bit of a caveat if you haven’t seen yet this route is basically trying to recreate, very similar to the original route 50 years ago. Since this is their 50th anniversary, they’re trying to recreate that route. So we’re glad they’re going to be coming close. We hope to showcase Greene County in whichever part of it they come through, we’re going to help be a part of that.”   

The 50th RAGBRAI will be from July 22-29 starting at Sioux City and overnight stops including Storm Lake, Carroll, Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville and Davenport.