[nutmeg]

I have a cycling question (sorry if this is off-topic on this thread):

A flaming lib acquaintance of ours is participating in "RAGBRAI", a 452.8 mile ride across Iowa starting at the Missouri River on July 24th and ending at the Mississippi River on July 30th. "RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state sponsored by the Des Moines Register." This will be the 39th year for this bicycle ride.

This (always-boastful) guy claims that "RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world."

Um... seems to me that honor should go to the Tour de France??

[West Texas Chuck]

Apples and oranges. Ragbrai is a big party, the TdF is not really a “touring” event, it is a misery fest.

[PeteB570]

As WTC said. The TdF is a bike race and RAGBRAI is a touring event/party.

When it came through my hometown years ago my dad had three vacant lots worth of mowed grass next to his garage. Offered it to the event and the area was covered in small tents for the night.

He ran a hose out the garage window and attached it to a post. Many there used it as a makeshift shower.

[patriotspride]

Agree with the other replies on difference.

Knowing he’s more than likely wanting to still win the discussion.

TDF started in 1903.

[deport]

Touring events I don't know but the longest race if not the longest is the "Race Across America" which begins on one coast and ends on the other. It will be somewhere around 3,000 miles depending upon the route for that year. Once the race begins the clock doesn't stop until the finish line is crossed. Individual winners will take 8 days or so, teams will be somewhat quicker.

Touring events and races are two diffent things altogether.

[Baynative]

I think the “touring “ event part separates it from the professional Tours or the RAAM because if is just another recreational ride; one where people wear funny feathers and glue fox tails to their helmets.

[SouthTexas]

If he thinks he's tough, let him sign up for this one: Hotter'n Hell 100 .

[luv2ski]

The Tour de France is a professional bike race. All of the participants are full-time professional cyclists. Anyone can sign up for the Ride across Iowa. It’s not a race. There are no awards or categories, etc.
Completely different animal. LIke saying “How is my intramural softball team compared to the Boston Red Sox?”

BTW, Lance tweeted that he’s riding it.

[luv2ski]

Yeah, and how about Ride the Rockies (which I have done twice)= 500 miles in a week over mountain passes. Last time I checked, Iowa is flat...

[Todd Kinsey]

My guess is that it’s the oldest “FUN” ride in the world. The Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, etc are races even tough the titles say “Tour”. It is definitely one of the biggest in the U.S.

The MS150 from Houston to Austin boasts being the top charity ride in the country. The MS has other events but this one is by far the largest. For the most part I stay away from these charity rides because there are too many novices and accidents abound.